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The North Port City Commission and the Sarasota County Commission made a rare show of unanimity this week, voting together to select the top two bids for a long-term development plan at Warm Mineral Springs. But the plans they chose diverge wildly, leav- ing the boards with a stark choice when the competing developers formally present their plans in two weeks. The commissions met together Tuesday, June 10, to winnow four proposals to two, allow- ing county staff to research the proposals and conduct background checks. After a series of fumbled tabulation attempts, the boards eventually emerged with two top contenders: Jebco Ventures and National and State Park Concessions. The latter company is operating the springs on a short-term basis. Both plans won plaudits from both boards, but that doesn't mean tough decisions do not still lie ahead. North Port Mayor Jim Blucher said it was "amazing" how different the plans are. Jebco's proposal tracks more closely to what the County Commission has sought for Warm Mineral Springs, jointly purchased by the county and North Port in 2010 for $5.5 million. Phase One of Jebco's plan includes the renova- tion and replacement of buildings, includ- ing the addition of a rehab and wellness center, a spa and a "healthy-eats concept" restaurant, all built while the company main- tains current operations. But three years out, per the Jebco plan, the company would begin looking at putting a hotel on the property and, at four years out, perhaps even a "medical suite campus." Beyond that, Jebco could possibly even add an "on-site condo/residential development." If everything is eventually completed, the project would cost an estimated $35.7 mil- lion. The company is seeking a 50-year lease, and it would deliver 7 percent of its gross receipts to the city and the county after the fourth month of that agreement. National and State Park Concessions, mean- while, would do nothing with the property for three years, maintaining the springs as a swimming destination and using only the existing facilities. Unlike the Jebco plan, National's plan specifically pledges "to pro- tect the geological and archeological aspects of the Spring," and it lists a host of environ- mentally friendly practices it would adopt — minimizing waste and ensuring that products used at the facility would be as sus- tainable as possible. After that initial three-year period is up, "or whenever the building fund has accumulated enough money to do it," National would then raze the proper- ty's current buildings and proceed with the TWO HUGELY DIFFERENT LONG-TERM PROPOSALS FOR WARM MINERAL SPRINGS WILL GO HEAD-TO-HEAD JUNE 24 By Cooper Levey-Baker Associate Editor These two really have different visions. Charles Hines Chairman Sarasota County Commission Sarasota News Leader June 13, 2014 Page 34