Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/87353
CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM IN THE MARKET An aerial map submitted to the Sarasota County Planning and Development Services Department last summer shows the location of the planned Esplanade by Siesta Key. Map courtesy Sarasota County TAYLOR MORRISON ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR A 240-HOME DEVELOPMENT IN GULF GATE, JUST OFF THE SOUTH TAMIAMI TRAIL By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor Homebuilder Taylor Morrison announced this week that it is planning to construct a 240- home development called Esplanade by Siesta Key; the construction will be in the Gulf Gate area. The 77-acre site is located just off South Tami- ami Trail, about two miles from Siesta Key, the company notes in a news release. In an Oct. 11 interview with The Sarasota News Leader, Cammie Longenecker, vice president of sales and marketing for Taylor Morrison's West Florida Division, says the an- nouncement points to the firm's confidence that the economy is turning around. "We're cautiously optimistic about improving signs in the market," Longenecker said. Although the company has owned the Espla- nade property for a number of years, she said, the decision to go forward with the project "was really about timing in the market … the old adage of supply and demand." Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Taylor Morrison has experienced a 25% increase so far over last year in the number of people coming into its offices, interested in purchasing homes, Lon- genecker said. Its sales are up 20% year-over- year, Longenecker added.