Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/157038
Sarasota News Leader August 23, 2013 Page 38 JEBCO VENTURES INC.'S EMBASSY SUITES BECOMES THE FIFTH HOTEL TOWER PROPOSED DOWNTOWN By Roger Drouin County Editor When developer Jim Bridges did his own due diligence to see if a hotel would be a good fit for a parcel of land on U.S. 41 in downtown Sarasota, he was encouraged by the results. The research concluded downtown was lacking in the range of 600 to 700 hotel rooms to meet anticipated need. "Our studies show there to be a shortage of hotel rooms in Sarasota right now," Bridges said. of building a hotel there; the research showing a shortage of hotel rooms cemented his idea. Bridges submitted preliminary plans last month to the city for a 200-room, 18-story Embassy Suites property. The hotel, featuring a seventh-floor pool and units with Sarasota Bay views, will showcase modern architecture and include six floors of parking, a ballroom/conference area and a restaurant. Bridges, CEO and president of Jebco Ventures Inc., purchased the property at 202 N. Tami- The proposed Embassy Suites could become ami Trail — at the northeast corner of U.S. one of a handful of tower hotels that would 41 and Second Street — in 2005 with the goal transform the look of downtown, fostering its An aerial view shows the location of 202 N. Tamiami Trail in downtown Sarasota. Image from Google maps