Sarasota Real Estate News

Hello and thanks for reading my blog.  Today I want to tell you about the Sarasota Bay and more about the reimaging of Sarasota's Bayfront which is in the planning stages.  But first, for those of you who followed me through my home-buying, it was REAL.  Every home purchase has its own story, but I love my new place and the convenience to downtown and Siesta Key.  

This morning, I took Burt for a walk across the Ringling Bridge.  It's best to finish this by 8:30 a.m., and get started after 6:00 p.m. in the summer months - but what a beautiful day it was on the Sarasota Bay!  

I drive across the Ringling Bridge and park on Bay across from Bird Key; walk across the bridge, down the ramp to talk to the fishermen, under the bridge to Hart's Landing, (where there are trees, shade, beverages and restrooms), and back across the bridge.  Burt sure was a tired guy and it's quite a workout - at 3 miles. People of all ages and athletic abilities are out having fun and just being healthy - see my photos below!

Hart's Landing: a place for Sarasota Bay boaters to pull in and cool off, but for non-boaters, it's a great place to buy bait and tackle, and get a snack and cool beverage. It would be a fabulous place to meet a friend for a drink at sunset or a family picnic since there's a playground for the kids.  This time of the year, the fishermen are bringing in catfish and shark - and if you have not eaten shark, it's delicious - much like chicken.  Best to drop your hook when the tide is coming in or going out, but never at low tide they tell me...

As I walked across the Ringing and saw the Van Wezel in the distance, I could not help but think about the city's upcoming "Bay Project." 

On September 6, 2018, the Bay team will present the Master Plan to the Sarasota City Commission.  The vision includes an amphitheater with special events, boat ramp improvement, future water taxi, shuttle system to connect with downtown, at a cost of $100-$150 million, and perhaps $200-$240 million for a new Van Wezel Performing Arts Center.  Money will come from a variety of sources--both public and private.

Access to the park will be free with extra membership benefits, and this promises to be a world class destination for people of all ages, bigger and better than The Straz Center in Tampa, FL. The Sarasota Arts and Cultural Alliance has been heavily involved in the planning as well as local boating enthusiasts who use the boat ramps on the bay..  Let's face it - Sarasota is booming with multi-million dollar real estate, and it should also be a first-class boating and cultural destination. 

Groundbreaking is expected within the next couple of years.  After the Sarasota Orchestra relocates in a few years, the design team is evaluating the future of Holley Hall (no connection to Linda Holley, unfortunately).  Community activation is booming with input from almost 40,000 people in the area. 

A much-needed pedestrian bridge will be built across Highway 41 for more accessibility to the community.

The primary goal for Phase 1 of The Bay Sarasota is to implement in three to five years and test different events/venues.  The anticipated program for Phase 1 restaurants is still under evaluation, but will likely be a few casual sit-down restaurants and several kiosk food and beverage venues, similar to other parks throughout the USA.

Will the Van Wezel be repurposed or town down?  Whatever is economically and financially feasible, and this will be evaluated this fall or spring of 2019. 

The Master Plan by Sasaki - a walkable and safe district linking downtown and the Bay, with interior space up to 25,000 square feet - PLUS....

1 acre event lawn with seating capacity of 5,000.

Amphitheater on 3/4 of acre with seating capacity of 3,500.

Recreation Pier; Ecological Gardens; Destination Play Space; Cultural District;

Botanical Gardens; Waterfront Promenade; Wishbone Pier; Boat Ramp. 

Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, Michael Saunders & Co., 941-914-4914.

TODAY'S PHOTOS OF SARASOTA BAY: