Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/116876
Sarasota News Leader March 22, 2013 town Sarasota. In addition, staff proposed a four-story parking garage with 570 spaces, a 30,000-square-foot training center and a 25,000-square-foot building for the medical examiner and forensics squad. Page 27 Once the sheriff was relocated, work could begin on another criminal justice tower downtown. FROM BAD BLOOD TO GOLD MINE Ten years ago the county embarked on a similar quest to create more office and courtroom space. The then-new Lynn Silvertooth Judicial Center tower on Ringling Boulevard was already strained, and the county administrator While no price tag was offered, several knowl- at the time demanded the city give land to the edgeable people suggested ��� because of county for another court facility. physical security needs and storm resistance ��� the price could start at about $300 per He threatened to move the county seat out of square foot. That would put the initial esti- downtown Sarasota if the city did not surrenmate at nearly $73 million. Add in $17 million der the land under the existing police headfor the parking garage, at $30,000 per space, quarters. The city capitulated. A new glass and and the total price tag could be $100 million steel high-rise police headquarters was built, the old 1950s era headquarters was demolor more. The total floor area would be about 243,000 square feet, plus the parking garage. Some or all of the buildings would be constructed to withstand a Category Five hurricane. An older aerial map shows the location of county property in the vicinity of the judicial center complex in downtown Sarasota. Image courtesy Sarasota County