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'CATALYSTS' Harshman believes the combination of a Kimpton Hotel at U.S. 301 and Main Street and a redeveloped project at Main Plaza would become "catalysts" for upper Main Street, which does not attract the volume of shop- pers, diners and tourists lower Main sees. But any redevelopment options at the Main Plaza site hinge on the property's listing price, Harshman said. As of press time, the listing agent at Cushman & Wakefield had not returned calls from The Sarasota News Leader. If it is priced right, the listing is sure to get the attention of potential investors, noted Sarasota commercial real estate broker Ian Black. "Any time 8.6 acres comes available in downtown Sarasota at a significant intersec- tion, that is obviously going to attract interest in the market," Black said. (Black's real estate office is the leasing agent for some of the com- mercial space in the complex.) A TOUGH RETAIL START While the plaza has become one of the more visible commercial landmarks downtown — with the bright Hollywood 20 marquee and the Applebee's sign facing Main Street — it struggled to take off as the Main Street retail oasis it was envisioned to be. In 1985, the 255,000-square-foot Main Plaza was developed for approximately $20 million as a shopping center. An aerial view shows the site in downtown Sarasota where a Kimpton Hotel is planned. Image courtesy Sarasota County Sarasota News Leader August 8 & 15, 2014 Page 10