Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/235968
Sarasota News Leader January 3, 2014 Circus Sarasota star Nik Wallenda's 1,500foot wire walk across and through Hell Hole Bend, AZ, has Sarasotans holding their collective breath with millions of other people around the world. It takes him 22 minutes to make the crossing over an area of the Grand Canyon that is not available to visitors. Hell Hole Bend is desolate — devoid of people and somewhat otherworldly. His cable is 2½ inches thick and 1,400 feet high. On June 24, the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) unanimously approves a plan for north U.S. 41 from 14th Street to University Parkway, including four traffic roundabouts. Do not look for construction to begin soon, however. The project goes to the bottom of a priority list, coming Page 66 in at No. 29. The MPO is composed of elected leaders of the two counties and their respective cities. The estimated construction cost would be $52 million from state and federal funds. However, segments of the project — the roundabout at University Parkway, for example — could be accomplished as an intersection improvement through use of other funding sources. After a quarter-century run in an old movie theater on the North Tamiami Trail, McCurdy's Comedy Club will be moving downtown, practically next-door to the historic Sarasota County Courthouse. The iconic comedy venue will be in the Courthouse Square building near The Melting Pot fondue restaurant. Nik Wallenda trains at Benderson Park for his walk across a section of the Grand Canyon. Photo by Norman Schimmel