Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/107047
THAT MUCH?! Sarasota County commissioners express shock over the cost of bus shelters and the time it takes to construct them — Rachel Brown Hackney After Sarasota County commissioners expressed shock this week at the cost and length of time it takes to erect shelters for Sarasota County Area Transit bus stops, new SCAT Manager Glama Carter promised to provide an in-depth analysis of the issues during an upcoming budget workshop. As part of a two-hour presentation during the commissioners' Jan. 29 meeting in Venice, Carter pointed out that of the 2,000 SCAT stops across the county, only 138 have shelters. She then provided a breakdown of the estimated total cost of $30,000 to $40,000 involved in putting up a single shelter: • $6,000 for land acquisition. • $15,000 to $25,000 for design, permits and construction. • $6,000 for the bench and shelter itself. • $2,000 for the installation of the structure. • $4,000 for annual maintenance of each shelter, which has remained unfunded. (Full story here) WHITHER THE SPRINGS The Sarasota County Commission offers $2 million to purchase Warm Mineral Springs at the same time a petition drive surfaces — Cooper Levey-Baker North Port wants to sell Warm Mineral Springs, and it looks like it may have a buyer: Sarasota County. Two weeks back, after a month of wrangling, the North Port City Commission doubled down on its decision to rid itself of Warm Mineral Springs, the 81-acre tourist attraction it jointly owns with the county, asking the County Commission if it was interested in buying out the city's interest. This week, the county said yes, offering the city $2 million. The original city/county purchase was $5.5 million. County Commissioner Christine Robinson outlined her plan for how to proceed with the purchase Tuesday, Jan. 29. Included: details on how the $2 million would be paid out over time, requirements that the city alter its boundaries so the springs sits on county land and thoughts on how the city and county might manage the property in the interim. (Full story here) Click Any Headline To Go Directly To That Article AT A GLANCE TOP STORIES