Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/143399
Sarasota News Leader July 12, 2013 Commissioners say the new ordinance would allow the county to attempt to jumpstart economic redevelopment at or near a surplus site, and focus on how a project blends into a neighborhood — instead of just selling land to the highest bidder. Page 37 Lobeck predicted the modified ordinance would open the doors to a repeat of the city's criticized 2012 deal to sell a highly visible parcel along Fruitville Road directly to Benderson Development Co. for half the price of another developer's offer. "This allows us the discretion to see what is "Frankly, this is one of the most startling probest for the community as a whole," said Com- posals I've seen, and I've seen some startling missioner Charles Hines. proposals in my 25 years here," Lobeck said Opponents of the modified proposal say it to the commissioners. would be a boon to developers and property The change impacts the possible sale of up investors, but it would not protect the inter- to 10 surplus parcels, including prospective ests of taxpayers. deals in the near future regarding two sites: On Tuesday, Dan Lobeck, president of Control an acre at the northeast corner of U.S. 301 Growth Now, called the proposed changes an and Main Street in downtown Sarasota and 42 acres on Coburn Road, east of Interstate 75. "affront to taxpayers." The lot at 20 N. Washington Blvd. has a view of both the Synovus Bank and the Seaside National Bank and Trust buildings on Main Street. Photo by Norman Schimmel