Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/146256
Sarasota News Leader July 26, 2013 Page 31 along with proposed projects such as the Nathan Benderson Park rowing facility, the University Town Center mall and The Venue at Lakewood Ranch townhomes. residents, business owners, developers and county officials. A veteran who owns the Environeers gear and clothing store, Krotec would like to see the project include not just residences and businesses, but also perhaps But residents who live in four rural home a rehabilitation clinic for wounded veterans communities near the project want to see buf- suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. fers created to separate them from traffic and other impacts resulting from the proposed "This is the gateway to Sarasota," Krotec said. increase in residential density and possible "If we screw this up, it will have an impact for years." commercial buildings and hotels. The Fruitville Initiative encompasses several vacant properties east of I-75. Among the owners are the county, which has a public library and 42 acres within the development area, and Fox Creek Holdings; Glenn D. and Margaret E. Walters; Luella M. and Bryan E. Krotec envisions "something different" out Crofut; Sarasota Business Plaza; and Thomas of this planning process, which involves F. Kelly. "We feel we are in a good place to get things rolling again," John Krotec, who served as community liaison on the 2010 Fruitville Initiative Committee, said about the renewed focus on the plan. Land directly to the west of Coburn Road also falls within the proposed Fruitville Initiative.