Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/203490
A DEAL CUT THE DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD HAS FOUND A WAY TO PACIFY ONE OF ITS BIGGEST TAXPAYERS AFTER A BUILDING MANAGER THREATENED TO PULL OUT By Stan Zimmerman City Editor "Hostage." "Extortion." Those were some sam- the organization paid for $5,000 worth of ples of the strong language voiced by board concrete in front of his building. members of the Downtown Improvement That structure is at the northeast corner District on Tuesday morning, Oct. 29. of Main Street and Orange Avenue; it is They were reacting to an offer from the known as the Ellis building, last leased by manager of one of the largest buildings down- Bank of America. It is owned by Benderson town. He threatened earlier this month to Development Co. and managed by Larry withdraw the structure from the DID unless Fineberg. (Above) The Ellis building most recently was home to Bank of America in downtown Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel