Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/215277
Sarasota News Leader November 22, 2013 Page 37 The next phase includes a meeting with were relieved the plan was moving forward Florida Department of Transportation offi- after a three-year delay. cials that county Planner Beth Rozansky calls David Walters said all of the owners have one of the "key milestones" in the effort. been approached by prospective buyers The Fruitville Initiative area encompasses recently, but they have not been able to negoseveral vacant properties east of I-75. Among tiate potential deals because the Fruitville the owners are the county, which has a public Initiative has been in limbo. library and 42 of the acres; Fox Creek Holdings; "The exciting part of this is all these properGlenn D. and Margaret E. Walters; Luella M. ties will come together within a master plan," and Bryan E. Crofut; Sarasota Business Plaza, noted Walters, whose family has owned propowned by Ruben; and Thomas F. Kelly. erty in the area for about 30 years. Several of the private property owners who Shelly Crofut said her family has been willing attended the County Commission meeting to wait more than five years for the Fruitville Tuesday told The Sarasota News Leader they Initiative to come to fruition because the Coburn Road cuts through the Fruitville Initiative area.