Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/115375
COUNTY EYES DOWNTOWN PLANS The old Sarasota Police Department headquarters on Ringling Boulevard was demolished in the spring of 2012. Photo by Norman Schimmel THE COUNTY COMMISSION NEXT WEEK WILL REVISIT A 2003 AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY REGARDING FUTURE PROPERTY NEEDS By Stan Zimmerman City Editor In the summer of 2003, Sarasota County lev- giveaway was set in stone on July 15, 2003 eled an ultimatum to the City of Sarasota: with a memorandum of understanding (MOU). "Give us what we want, or we're pulling out." "The county agrees to satisfy its facilities masFaced with the prospect of losing the county ter plan for Court and Administration needs seat, the Sarasota city commissioners capitu- within the downtown judicial complex area, lated. and the City agrees to provide the county The decision cost the I like to say demographics are with the police faciliresidents of the city ty site ready to build," at least $30 million in destiny. We're starting to grow again. And the document says. bonds to build a new despite what some people say, government police headquarters, is going to have to get bigger, too. It is a sore that has because the county not totally healed, and Randall Reid Administrator wanted the land under next week the County Sarasota County the old building. The Commission will hold