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parcel sales in the county could be found for comparison, Kurant told the commissioners. "That's not to say the property is not going to be worth a lot more in the future," Kurant said. Several factors are driving new demand in the area. Lakewood Ranch's movement to the south and the Fruitville Initiative already had been seen as economic drivers for next few years. The Bass Pro Shops announcement this week is likely to spur immediate interest. Patterson said she felt property in the Fruitville area will become more valuable with time as a result of those factors, arguing that the county would be selling the site to Benderson at too low a price. She also told Fineberg she is worried the firm's proposal will simply result in tenants moving from another industrial park to the newer one. Hines said selling the property for the creation of a "spec" business complex designed to draw tenants would negate any potential for the county to utilize the parcel to land a major company looking for a new headquarters. "I think this [sale] hampers the [Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County] being able to negotiate with the larger big players." REVISED PLANS Benderson staff had strived to alleviate some concerns about the project that commis- sioners voiced on Nov. 26, 2013, when they heard the original proposal. Fineberg told the board on July 9 that the firm had tried to work closely with county staff on the design of the complex. "We need this type of facility to diversify our economy the way we really want to," said Fineberg. "We'd like to move forward and get a shovel in the ground." Fineberg also pointed to Benderson's guaran- tee that the first phase of construction will begin within six months. "There is a tremen- dous void in the market right now, and we are missing out on industrial [firms] and the good jobs we are looking for in Sarasota County," he told the commissioners. The new complex could include distribu- tion services and research and development offices as well as light manufacturing, he pointed out. % Lin Kurant, the county's real estate services manager, offers remarks on the Benderson project during the July 9 commission meeting. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader July 11, 2014 Page 18