Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/231222
Sarasota News Leader December 20, 2013 Christine Pearson, a member of the county's Real Estate Services staff, pointed out that the parcel is valued at $275,000. All due diligence was completed before the Dec. 11 meeting, Pearson added, and everything was found to be satisfactory, including an environmental audit. The property is located at 7115 Curtiss Ave. According to the agreement with the Friends of Gulf Gate Library, the site must be used for library-related activities including, but not limited to, public parking, gardens, accessory structures, a stormwater facility, lighting, fencing, landscaping, utilities, sidewalks and decorative features. Page 45 "I think this is such a fine example of how government can really only do so much efficiently," Vice Chairman Charles Hines pointed out of the gift. "It's nice to have these partnerships [with organizations comprising volunteers]." "This is just an example of what [the Friends groups] do for us. It's a small example," Commissioner Christine Robinson added. "They work tirelessly to help fill in some of those gaps that occur, especially during the bad economic times, and a gift like this raises the bar for other Friends [organizations], quite honestly." "I can only say, 'Yea!' to the power of partnerA Dec. 11 staff memo noted, "The Friends ships," Mason told Erb. "So thank you." purchased the Property with funds raised in support of their mission through donations, In comments about the work of the county's membership dues, tributes and memorials, library Friends groups, Sarabeth Kalajian, proceeds from The Friends Bookstore and the county's director of libraries and historical resources, said, "The Friends of Gulf Gate special events." An aerial view shows the parcel (0111-01-031) the Friends of Gulf Gate Library gave Sarasota County. Image courtesy Sarasota County