Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/170820
Sarasota News Leader September 13, 2013 Page 33 there were no clear parameters for prospec- was to build a parking garage with at least 300 spaces within four years; that means a deadtive developers. line of February 2015. The city's parking mas"That left the city open to a legal challenge," ter plan in 2005 also identified the State Street Fournier pointed out, which would have lot as a priority designation for a garage. The caused a lengthy delay in the schedule. site is home to a 139 parking space surface lot. Now it is unclear whether any of the six pro- The city has set aside $7.29 million in tax-inposals will even be considered. crement financing for the project. Fournier will lead a discussion of the issues at "We're looking ahead right now," said Senior the City Commission meeting Monday, Sept. Planner Steve Stancel. "We are trying to see 16. That is the first step to getting the mixed- what processes will work best." use project back on track. The city has three options for the State Street "This will be a beginning," Fournier noted. land, Fournier wrote in a memo he sent to the He is hopeful that the delay will not be a lin- city commissioners on Sept. 9. gering one. The first option is to build a garage with a first floor of retail space. That structure would look LOOKING AHEAD similar to the Palm Avenue garage that opened The city remains under pressure to build 300 in 2010. The city would then market the first floor shell to prospective buyers. public spaces in the parking deck. That is because of the 2010 agreement the city The second option is to sell the "air rights" reached with Pineapple Square when the city above the parking levels in addition to the acquired the 43,700-square-foot lot; the city ground floor. The developer chosen would Jebco Ventures Inc. proposed a 100-room Hampton Inn and Suites and 30 condos above the parking deck. Image courtesy City of Sarasota