Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/198837
PROBING A PARCEL'S POTENTIAL The County Commission has agreed to begin negotiations with a development group that wants to put a hotel on the site of a surface parking lot in downtown Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DIRECT STAFF TO NEGOTIATE WITH A DEVELOPER PROPOSING A 150-ROOM KIMPTON HOTEL ON COUNTYOWNED LAND AT U.S. 301 AND MAIN STREET IN SARASOTA By Roger Drouin County Editor Developer Rod Connelly is proposing to construct a nine- to 10-story, 150-room hotel with a 6,000-square-foot conference center on a county-owned parcel that serves as a parking lot at the northeast corner of U.S. 301 and Main Street in downtown Sarasota. The second one, submitted by developer Wayne Ruben's WMR Consulting, proposed a 10,000-square-foot headquarters for a national financial institution and 2,500 square feet of adjacent commercial space. This property is not on the tax The County rolls right now. It needs to get on the Commission on tax rolls. Wednesday, Oct. 23, c h o s e C o n n e l l y 's Joe Barbetta Commissioner proposal out of two Sarasota County submittals for the parcel. The commissioners directed staff to negotiate with Connelly and his development venture, SHD Partners LLC. Vice Chairman Charles Hines said he preferred the hotel plan. "I think that is