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city planning staff to cull a list of prospective sites for a homeless shelter — the most con- troversial of Marbut's suggestions for helping the community grapple with homelessness issues. The list of sites grew shorter this month, down to two. Once local leaders choose one, the process of getting a shelter up and running could be handled efficiently, Applebee said, utilizing Marbut's nine-month contract extension — that is, if the extension is approved. "A lot of the work will move much faster once a site is selected," Applebee told the News Leader. "Next week's meetings are critical because we need to move to Phase Two (envi- ronmental analysis) to get a site." DOWN TO TWO On Feb. 4, county staff was notified that the owner of the property at 1121 Lewis Ave. had signed a lease on the land for 12 months, with an option for renewal or purchase, Applebee pointed out. For that reason, the Lewis Avenue site has been removed from further consider- ation for a shelter. The two remaining sites are 1330 N. Osprey Ave. and 1800 N. East Ave. Modular buildings would be constructed at which- ever site is chosen, thus keeping down costs and allowing the shelter to open more quickly. Sarasota Vice Mayor Willie Shaw has been adamantly opposed to locating a homeless shelter in north Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader February 14, 2014 Page 33