« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Jun 1, 2020

Monday Business Edition

Monday Business Edition

"The cost of living is increasing too quickly for many in our community to afford."

- Kyle Scott Battie, Sarasota City Commission candidate
 

[Politics]  Battie Challenging Shaw in Sarasota District Election
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Television host Kyle Scott Battie last week filed to challenge Sarasota City Commissioner Willie Shaw for his District 1 seat. When the two face off this year, it will be the first time there’s a contest for the north Sarasota seat in more than nine and a half years.

Shaw notes that in a near decade of service on the Commission, the former mayor has served on and chaired regional boards. He now chairs the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council and has held leadership positions with the Manasota League of Cities, Florida League of Cities and other agencies dealing with governance and economic development.

“I want to continue to maintain the quality of life in the City of Sarasota,” Shaw told SRQ MEDIA.

As fas as specific achievements for north Sarasota, Shaw was quick to bring up the Drug Market Intervention program, which has played a significant role in reducing crime within north Sarasota.

For Battie, a 52-year-old who graduated from Sarasota High School, he comes into the election with a serious pedigree. His mother Jean Battie taught at Emma E. Booker Middle School, and father Hank has been an active and continuous Downtown Sarasota business owner. That long family connection to the community and business leaders will drive his candidacy, he said.

“The cost of living is increasing too quickly for many in our community to afford, and the longstanding challenges facing our North Sarasota neighborhoods need to finally be addressed,” Battie said. 

The recent impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout only exacerbate problems and the need for commissioners to focus on economic opportunities and cost of living, he said.

Mattie’s entry means all three Sarasota City Commission races this year will likely see contests. Four candidates are running in District 2: incumbent Liz Albert, Martin Hyde, Terry Turner and Jerry Wells, with others rumored. In the District 3 race, Erik Arroyo faces Daniel Clermont.

Shaw first won office in 2011 in a four person field, and won reelection unopposed in 2015. This marks the first election for the city in decades scheduled for a November cycle. If only Shaw and Battie file, they will face each other on Nov. 3. 

[The Bay ]  Bridge Closure & Temporary Walking Path

Over the past two years, in partnership with the City of Sarasota and the community, The Bay initiative has progressed from conceptual Master Plans of the entire park to an Implementation Plan and Site Plan for Phase 1 that can be developed into an actual park for everyone in our community to use and enjoy. View the video to learn more about what has been accomplished thus far and what is next to come in the process.  

Click here for features of Phase 1.

[Business Sale]  Bath and Racquet Club Sold to Developer Mark Lucas

The 13-acre Bath and Racquet Club at 2170 Robinhood Street in Sarasota has been sold for $5.5 million to Mark Lukas. Should he secure the support of the city commission, Lucas plans to renovate the fitness facility, built in 1969, and incorporate it as an amenity in a 207-home, mixed-use development. The sale closed May 27.

Lucas initially sought a comprehensive plan amendment from the city to allow for additional height and density to offset the costly club renovation. While the city commission recognized the importance of the Bath & Racquet Club in a 3-2 vote in favor of the plan on Feb. 4th, the amendment required a 4-1 super-majority. Lucas plans to proceed with an alternative development plan that will no longer require a comprehensive plan amendment. The new plan will still support the club with a mixed-use residential and commercial development, which will ultimately be more compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhood.

“We’ve been working on this for four years and spent over $2 million covering club payroll, improvements to the facilities, updating the fitness area and hiring consultants,” said Lucas. “Our vision hasn’t changed. We’re so excited to be able to take responsibility for this historic Sarasota property and move forward with renovations and redevelopment. We had hoped we would secure the support from all city commissioners. That said, we believe that we may have a solution that will better address the remaining city commissioners’ concerns, as well as the surrounding neighborhood. We will be teaming up with the well-awarded architecture firm Halflants + Pichette to help develop the vision for the property.”

The property, located just east of South Tamiami Trail and Glengary Street, currently includes a 40,000-square-foot fitness facility with a junior Olympic swimming pool, 29 tennis courts and a full-service restaurant. The redevelopment will “keep the fabric of the club,” said Lucas, “restoring it as an amenity as well as an asset to the community.”

Former owner Scott Olsen, the stepson of original owner Ken Wagstaff, had overseen the club since 1995 but has been unable to keep up with maintenance in recent years. “This club has been a part of Sarasota since 1969. I didn’t want it destroyed,” said Olsen. “I’m happy that the new owners are going to maintain its integrity and give it new life.”

Lucas has engaged Kevin Robbins and Mitch Helmuth of Harry E. Robbins Associates Inc. as real estate consultants for the development team. Robbins and Helmuth are Sarasota natives. Robbins grew up at the club and has felt this area is ripe for development for years. “The Bath and Racquet is an important part of the Sarasota community,” he said. “This property is strategically located in the heart of Sarasota. The opportunity for a true live, work, play community in this area in Sarasota is exciting. We are honored to be a part of the development team, as the sales and leasing agent, and to be able to work on a historic project.” 

Click for more info.



[Re-Openings]  Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County Reopens Its Doors to Serve Kids This Summer

With the safety of its Club members and staff as the top priority, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County will open its doors to serve a limited number of children through the new 2020 Great Futures Academy Summer Program at no cost on June 1.

This new program will take place at all six of the organization's Club locations Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5:30 pm. Two sessions will be offered during the summer with the first session running June 1 to June 26 and the second session running from July 6 to July 31.

As the organization continues to monitor the evolving pandemic, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County has designed the 2020 Great Futures Academy Summer Program in accordance with the health and safety protocols set forth by federal and local officials including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Florida Department of Health. As a result, the Boys & Girls Clubs must restrict the number of participants in each session to 333 children with the greatest academic needs in order to provide the highest quality of program at the highest level of safety. The limit was determined based on the number of rooms inside the organization’s Club facilities and the social distancing recommendations of maintaining gatherings of no more than 10 people at 6 feet apart.

At this time, the children in the program are between the ages of 6 and 12. They either attend a Title I school or are the children of local first responders.

“As we continue to emerge from this crisis, youth need the Boys & Girls Clubs more than ever to help them get back on track and ready to succeed academically when schools reopen,” said Bill Sadlo, President/CEO at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County. “The decision to significantly reduce the number of children we can serve this summer was extremely difficult, as we know the need for positive youth development programs far exceeds the capacity in which our organization can safely deliver at this time. That’s why we must shift our operations in order to make the greatest impact on those children most at-risk for academic regression.”

The daily programs will feature academic enrichment activities with supplemental curriculum designed to empower youth to excel in school, become leaders, adopt healthy habits and plan for success after high school graduation. Meals and snacks will also be served to program participants at no additional cost.

The organization is also providing exploratory summer programs to a limited number of teens including academic enrichment, entrepreneurial training, leadership development, financial literacy, civic engagement and workforce development. 

For more info.

[Brunch]  Libby's Opens for Weekend Brunch for Dine In and Take Out

Join Libby's for brunch on the weekend: Saturdays from 11am to 3pm and Sundays from 10am to 3pm featuring the $10 bottomless mimosas. Dine in or take out at their Libby's Sarasota location on South Osprey and Libby's Lakewood Ranch on Lorraine Road. Brunch items include the All American Breakfast with two eggs any style, choice of chicken sausage or bacon, homemade potato cakes and toast, Bananas Foster French Toast, S'Mores French Toast, Blue Crab & Shrimp Benedict and a Brunch Burger featuring an over-easy egg, cayenne spiced Vermont maple syrup, applewood smoked bacon, Gruyere cheese, 100 percent certified Angus beef patty, honey chipotle aioli and a homemade potato cake on a Kaiser roll. 

Click to view the brunch menu.

[Summer Camp]  Sarasota Orchestra Cancels Summer Music Camp

Sarasota Orchestra has made the difficult decision to cancel this year's Summer Music Camp. The safety of our campers, their families, and our faculty and staff is paramount in this decision, which is driven by three primary factors:

—Our facility lacks the space necessary to properly distance music students and faculty for our programs.

—The measures recommended by the CDC, including mask-wearing and restricted interaction among students, would eliminate core programming and dramatically reduce enrollment, thereby affecting artistic and economic feasibility.

—Holding Summer Music Camp in current circumstances would pose unacceptable health and safety risks.

Shortly after the 4th of July holiday, Sarasota Orchestra's web space will host videos, masterclasses, and activities to keep the whole community musically engaged. Curated by Sarasota Orchestra musicians, education faculty, and staff, this virtual content will instill a deeper understanding of music and guide practical approaches to improve overall musicianship.

Designed for a wide range of skill levels, these activities may be accessed anytime, from anywhere, nurturing passion for great music and enriching the summer for family members of all ages. Please spread the word with young people who you think would benefit, or take a look yourself! Stay tuned for a full listing of activities coming July 1. 

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Where Oil Meets Water

Where Oil Meets Water

Phil Lederer | Mar 1, 2024

Freedom to Wander

Freedom to Wander

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

Drive and Dine

Drive and Dine

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

A Mesmerizing Journey

A Mesmerizing Journey

Barbie Heit | Mar 1, 2024