Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/175080
Sarasota News Leader September 20, 2013 Page 30 demanded. As Fournier put it: "They said the 300 spaces by early 2015. The city wants to sell parts of the building to help cover the cost hearing should not have been de novo." of the garage. The new suit also claims the electronic filing for an appeal by the Alta Vista Neighborhood For example, it could sell the first floor for reAssociation should not have been accepted by tail, office or restaurant space to defray three the city, that only a paper application would additional floors of parking. Or it could envision a 10-story building with first-floor retail, have been valid. several floors of parking and several more Fournier added that the suit "alleges Walmart floors of office or residential space. So far no decision has been made, which makes life has terminated the contract." nearly impossible for Ian Black, the Realtor hired to sell the property. MORE STATE STREET DITHERING Two separate parking issues occupied most of the afternoon session. One rose during the open-to-the-public section; the second came from the exasperated city attorney trying to prod the commissioners into making a decision on the State Street parking garage. "What do you want to sell?" asked Fournier. Each of the three options he proposed would require "adjustments" to the zoning code. But one subjective decision still remains. The code requires "exemplary architecture" on all municipal buildings. Because the project The city is under contract with Pineapple starts with the city, staff assumes the "exemSquare to open a parking garage with at least plary architecture" requirement stands. The City Commission Chambers was packed on Feb. 26, awaiting the decision on the Walmart proposed for the Ringling Shopping Center. Photo by Norman Schimmel