Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/135276
NEW LOOK FOR A 'SAD' CENTER An engineer's drawings show the plan for the new Pelican Plaza. Image courtesy of Sarasota County THE COUNTY COMMISSION GIVES UNANIMOUS APPROVAL TO A REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR A SOUTH TRAIL SHOPPING COMPLEX By Cooper Levey-Baker Associate Editor The Sarasota County Commission this week gave a unanimous thumbs-up to a proposal to redevelop a mostly abandoned shopping center right across South Tamiami Trail from Westfield Sarasota Square mall. Things that dominated the plaza before being shuttered years ago. The proposed redevelopment won't change the footprint of the L-shaped building itself. Todd Mathes — the director of development The property in question sits to the southwest for Benderson Development, the company of U.S. 41 and to the east of Vamo Road; the steering the project — tells The Sarasota triangular parcel adds News Leader the comup to just over 13 acres pany intends to "reuse After the Linens 'n Things left it's a bunch of that existof land. Most passersby probably know it almost a blight on that corner. ing building," while from the Denny's situmaking "a big investChristine Robinson Commissioner ated in the parking lot, ment" in upgrading the Sarasota County or from the Linens 'n structure's aesthetics.