Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/273295
The City Commission's reluctance was based on a pending sale of the Quay property, west of where Fruitville Road terminates at U.S. 41 near the bayfront. In addition, the assem- blage of property known formerly as the Proscenium on the southeast corner of U.S. 41 and Fruitville is also available for devel- opment. With those two large parcels in play, commissioners did not want the city to start planning or hiring consultants until the future of the adjoining properties was more settled. Michael Klauber, the incoming chairman of Visit Sarasota County, told the CCNA, "I don't think we'll ever see an opportunity like this again in our lifetime. Without it, we will falter. If we don't support the arts in the city core, we could lose them." C o m m i s s i o n e r P a u l C a r a g i u l o a s k e d , "Where's the potential funding?" The answer came two days earlier at the CCNA meeting, when Andy Dorr said an extension of the life of the Downtown Sarasota Community Redevelopment Agency is a source of "possi- ble funding for cultural infrastructure." The commission on March 3 also voted to include the former G.WIZ science museum in the cultural district, with the same four-month ban on any negotiations involving the prop- erty. The city was about to issue an Invitation to Negotiate with vendors about possible future uses of the former G.WIZ building, but that is now on hold, too. % The City Commission has put plans for a new tenant of the G.WIZ building on hold while it awaits action on nearby property. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader March 7, 2014 Page 59