Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/194514
Sarasota News Leader October 18, 2013 With G.WIZ gone, the building stands vacant and leaking. The city has turned the electricity back on, so it again is air conditioned. But what should the city do with it? That will be the question on Monday, as staff seeks commission guidance. "The city has been approached by many interested parties to lease the building," said city Purchasing Manager Mary Tucker in a memo. "[S]taff needs to discuss guidelines for the future use of the leasehold." Page 56 center; or maritime, educational or cultural institution. Not only the next use but also lease terms and rent structures need to be part of the new solicitation for proposals, Tucker said. BUILDINGS NEW Considering the long stall on similar issues with the State Street parking garage project, Tucker could be in for a long wait on G.WIZ. The commission has dithered for at least four months on what it wants to see built at a cityThe city's Cultural District Master Plan offers owned parking lot on State Street. several options, including making the property the site of a contemporary art museum; a The city is under contract with Pineapple modern art museum; an expanded Art Center Square to provide a 300-space parking garage Sarasota; an expanded Sarasota County by February 2015. The city would like some History Center; a maritime museum; a film form of retail activity on the first floor of the Pineapple Square developers say the city must adhere to an agreement for a 300-space garage downtown. Photo by Norman Schimmel