Newsletter 178

NEWS FROM THE SUNCOAST

UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR BELOVED ‘FLYING BRIDGE’

Cathleen Nardi is part of a group of people who walk Blackburn Point Road and Casey Key Road daily, enjoying the scenery, as well as the historic Blackburn Point Road Swing Bridge. Cell phone in hand, Nardi frequently takes pictures of scenes that catch her eye — a picture of sunrise while walking east on the bridge in March 2024 is a particular favorite. That photo later became a People’s Choice winner in the Old Florida Charm category of Big Waters Land Trust’s annual summer photo contest. “The things I take pictures of are disappearing,” Nardi said, just prior to a recent meeting hosted by Sarasota County to brief residents on The Blackburn Point Bridge Project Development and Environment Study. Ultimately the Sarasota County Commission will decide whether to adopt a “no-build option,” which consultant Jim Phillips characterized as ongoing maintenance of the structure, or replace it with a newer, higher bridge. Nardi said she fears a loss of the century old swing bridge, “will impact life as we know it on Casey Key. “The people recognized that bridge for what it means for this area,” she added, referencing comments that accompanied their votes on her photograph. Sarasota County is in the midst of an ongoing study on how to best connect Casey Key to the mainland — while safety concerns point to replacing the iconic structure that was financed with a voter-approved bond issue in 1924. It is the last of five bridges approved that year and believed to be one of only a handful of its type in the state and considered by many the epitome of what many — including Nardi — consider “Old Florida Charm.” The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation underscored that thought on November 13, when it named the one-lane swing bridge on its list of “Six to Save 2025.” That listing, which can be found at the alliance’s website, https://www.preservesrq.org, is meant to spark a community-wide dialogue on how to save historic resources from demolition. For more information on this story, courtesy of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, please click here: Uncertain Future

CAMPAIGN OFF TO A STRONG START

On the heels of a historic year of fundraising, Season of Sharing is off to yet another healthy start, thanks to a robust level of community contributions.

In just five weeks – or a little less than half-way through the campaign – almost $2 million has poured into the Season of Sharing coffers. That already equates to just under half of the previous record established four years ago – or $4.4 million – a record that was broken by last year’s unprecedented fundraising season, which drew $7.2 million following three back-to-back catastrophic storms. About half of last year’s historic totals came from contributions of several area philanthropists and foundations, but the remaining poured in from ordinary residents. Indeed, in the history of Season of Sharing – established in 2000 by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune – the average gift has tended to be less than $100, showing the importance of each person’s input.

“Like we do during every Season of Sharing, neighbors are coming together to help people in our region who are in crisis, and we have seen a tremendous outpouring of generosity during this year’s campaign, says Kirsten Russell, the Community Foundation’s vice president of community impact. “Nearly 1,400 donations have been made so far, a number that demonstrates how this community rallies to help those in need,” Russell added. “Each of these donors is helping knit a stronger safety net for families who have encountered a challenge, and their generosity is making a lasting difference in the lives of families all across our region.”

Please click here for more: Campaign Off To A Strong Start

OCTOBER SHOWS REAL ESTATE REBOUND

The Sarasota-Manatee area’s October real estate market showed a strong year-over-year rebound after Florida’s quiet hurricane season, according to the most recent industry report. The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee’s October findings showed a double-digit increase in closed sales for both Sarasota and Manatee in the single-family homes and condo segments year-over-year. RASM attributes this rebound to a lack of hurricanes in 2025, which disrupted closings and listings in 2024. The median sale price on single-family homes dropped 9.2% in Sarasota County year-over-year from $490,000 to $445,000. In Manatee County, the median price of homes increased .2%, from $479,990 in 2024 to $481,000 in 2025. Both counties also saw dips in the median sale price for townhomes and condos, with a 19.5% decline from $385,277 to $310,000 in Sarasota and a 10.8% decline from $327,990 to $292,500 in Manatee compared to 2024. The trend in Sarasota and Manatee counties’ median price is counter to national figures. According to the real estate company Redfin, nationwide home prices increased 1.2% compared to last year, with a median price of $439,701. “October’s numbers show just how far our single-family market has come since last year’s storm disruption,” Reynolds said. “The spike in closed sales reflects a true rebound in consumer confidence, while more stable pricing and inventory suggest the market is finding its footing again.

Inventory is still high on the Suncoast. Sarasota County reported a 5-month supply of single-family homes, a 6.4% year-over-year increase, and a 7.5-month supply of condos and townhomes, a 36.4% spike from last year. Manatee County saw similar trends, with a 7.7% year-over-year increase yielding a 4.2-month supply of single-family homes, with the townhome and condo supply increasing 5% year-over-year to 6.3 months. Although active listings increased from October 2024, RASM reports month-over-month increases have slowed, indicating a possible plateau. Please click here for more: October Real Estate Rebounds

OCTOBER TOURISM RECOVERS BUT DOWN FOR YEAR

Despite a rebound in tourism in October 2025, Sarasota County tourism was down for fiscal year 2025, which included the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton’s landfall, compared to tourism data from fiscal year 2024.

Downs & St. Germain Research, the company that produced the findings, conducted over 3,000 interviews with Sarasota County visitors online and in person. Of those interviewed, 86% said they visited the beach while here; 17% kayaked, canoed, or boated; 16% experienced wildlife, the environment and nature and 5% participated in fishing or hunting. The number of visitors was down by 183,400, over 6% from FY 2024 for all visitors. Similarly, direct expenditures, or amount of money tourists spent on goods and services such as food, shopping and entertainment, was down 7%, while total economic impact was down 10.5%, or over 400 million. Still, tourism brought in a total economic impact of $3,602,706,700, which is an upward trend from FY 2021, where the number reached $3,466,508,400. However, tourism, in terms of economic impact, has been trending down since a big jump in 2022, down by nearly 16% since then. The total number of visitors is also at its lowest number since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of jobs directly created by tourism, Sarasota’s top industry according to Visit Sarasota, was also down year-over-year by over 2,000 jobs. President and CEO of Visit Sarasota Erin Duggan said the Tourist Development Tax, is a 6% charge on the revenue from rentals of six months or less, gives back to the local economy. Some of the statistics listed in the report include “a Sarasota County job is supported by every 95 visitors,” and “taxes that visitors pay save each Sarasota County household $5,831 in local taxes.” Direct spending from tourists accounts for 11% of jobs in the county, while total economic impact supports 15% of jobs. There’s more on this story here: October Tourism Recovers October Tourism Recovers

DOWNTOWN CONDO PLAN ADVANCES

During a recent Development Review Committee meeting, a downtown Sarasota condominium project received partial sign-off, while a proposed hotel near SRQ airport was denied upon its first attempt. The 7th & Central Condominiums, located at 650 Central Ave. in downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District, received a partial OK on its third submission with the review committee, meaning it can move forward with the project, but it still needs full sign-off in the future. In the same meeting, a hotel proposed for Rental Car Road, near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, did not get committee sign-off, which will require the development project to resubmit its site plans. Seventh & Central Condominiums proposes a seven-story, 24-unit residential building facing 7th Street in the Rosemary District. In its first submission, the project’s team described the condos as a “modern” residential project, in which every unit would have unobstructed views of downtown. Every unit will come with a cantilevered balcony, meaning it would extend from the building without any external support and give the complex a cohesive look. The project proposed four 2-story townhouses that would come with their own yard and pool, offering those residents a “premium living experience.” The building would also come with a lobby amenity space, a ground floor gym and rooftop terrace complete with a pool, garden and panoramic views of downtown, according to the site plans. A key aspect of the development is the introduction of a new public park, connecting Cohen Way and Central Avenue. The park aims to foster pedestrian access and community integration, and may have elements from local artists. It was the first time any plans were submitted for the Kompose Hotel, a proposed 60-room, four-story hotel on 2.25 acres of land. Currently, the parcel of land is a parking lot zoned for intensive commercial district. There’s more on this story here: Downtown Condo Plan Advances

PANEL ENDORSES PLAN FOR 8,999 NEW HOMES

The Sarasota County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a project to build nearly 9,000 homes as part of the Winchester Ranch along North Port. The county commission will make the ultimate determination sometime in early 2026. A petition from the developer requested to change the Future Land Use of about 2,433 acres of land in southern Sarasota County to allow for the development of 8,999 homes. It would also allow the city of North Port to annex just under five square miles from the county. Major aspects of the development were already approved in 2021, but Winchester Ranch must return to the county for approval of the rezone due to some procedural complications. The planning commission voted 7-1 December 4 to recommend Winchester Ranch to the county board, with Commissioner Jon Thaxton as the lone dissenter. Thaxton, a noted environmentalist and former county commissioner, came out strongly against the development. “I don’t know where to begin with this petition,” Thaxton said. “I have spent 40-plus years arguing against such developments.” Thaxton was skeptical of the development’s fiscal neutrality and the public cost of expanding infrastructure for new development. He called widening roads and building new ones to cure congestion akin to “trying to cure obesity by lengthening your belt.” The planned community also abuts Myakka State Forest. “As a person who was involved in the Myakka State Forest negotiations and purchase, it concerns me that the work that we did 20 years ago could potentially be compromised,” Thaxton said. There’s more on this story: Panel Endorses 8,999 New Homes

REDEVELOPMENT CONTINUES AT MALL REVAMP

Jamestown, a global real estate investment and management company, recently announced that it will oversee retail leasing and operations, marketing, placemaking and master planning for the now-demolished Sarasota Square on behalf of Torburn Partners, according to a press release. In November, site owners Torburn Partners, a Chicago-based real estate investment and development firm, said Sarasota Square Mall, a former robust shopping center at U.S. 41 and Beneva Road, was getting a makeover along with some new tenants. The organic grocer Whole Foods Market, home and furniture store HomeSense, and three fast-casual restaurants – Chipotle Mexican Grill, CAVA Mediterranean and Joe & The Juice – are among the first tenants to lease the property. Charles Schwab, a finance company, will also lease from Torburn. “Landing Whole Foods as our first anchor tenant affirms our belief in the need for an upscale lifestyle center that redefines how people live, shop and connect in one of Florida’s most dynamic coastal communities,” said Torburn managing director Michael Simpson. Torburn will develop Sarasota Square in three phases. The retail portion is already under construction, and the residential will break ground in early 2026, according to the press release. The site plans to promote walkability and community-oriented lifestyles by utilizing pedestrian-friendly districts, wellness-related amenities and lush landscaping. More detailed plans include 1,200 luxury residential units, over 500,000 square feet of retail, restaurants and commercial spaces, and one acre of outdoor gathering space for social or community events. Site plans from 2023 that the Herald-Tribune previously reported on show that the mall’s Costco, JCPenney and AMC Theaters would stay following the redevelopment. Please follow the jump for more on this story: Redevelopment Continues At Sarasota Square Mall

SARASOTA SETS BIG SEA TURTLE RECORD

Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program documented a record number of sea turtle nests in the 2025 nesting season, with a record 5,735 total nests logged along 35 miles of Sarasota County beaches, from Longboat Key to Venice. This marks the highest number of nests ever recorded in Mote’s 43-year monitoring history, far surpassing 2024’s 4,369 nests. “The thing I’d like to stress about the sea turtles is we had a really good nesting and we had a record-breaking year,” Dr. Jake Lasala, Manager of Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program told the Herald-Tribune on Nov. 20. Separately, in a prepared statement, he noted that the high numbers show that Mote’s conservation measures are working.

According to data collected by Mote, loggerhead turtles, a threatened species protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, accounted for 5,384 nests.

After that, green sea turtles accounted for 351 nests. In years past, Kemp’s ridley and leatherback turtles have nested on Sarasota County beaches but not for 2025. Sea turtle nesting season typically runs from April 15 to Oct. 31. Sea turtle program staff, interns and more than 300 volunteers help collect long-term data essential to understanding population trends, reproductive success, and how both environmental and human factors impact nesting behavior. Mote’s effort is one of the longest continuous monitoring programs in the U.S. Please click here for more: Sarasota Sets Big Sea Turtle Record

ENGLEWOOD TOPS SNOWBIRD LIST

Whether you love them, don’t care for them or are one, snowbirds are a constant in Florida this time of year. But even these seasonal residents need ideas for affordable places to relax. Vacation rental website HomeToGo crunched home price data and determined the most budget-friendly destinations in the U.S., with the top spot located in Florida. “Dreaming of tropical temperatures and Caribbean climates? The coldest season has arrived in much of North America, and snowbirds across the U.S. are swapping snow shovels for sunnier shores — but where can they find warm weather without burning through their wallets?” HomeToGo writes.

The top spot goes to Englewood, a census-designated community along the Gulf of Mexico, in Charlotte and Sarasota counties. Its average high temperature in the winter is a cool 75 degrees. “When winter bites, Englewood offers a sun-soaked escape with temperatures that can reach the low 70s. The Gulf Coast’s calm, clear waters and soft beaches make it a perfect retreat from the cold.” Its median nightly vacation-home price is $64 per person, allowing snowbirds to enjoy Florida’s weather and culture without breaking the bank. Another Florida town grabbed the second-place spot — Wauchula, in Hardee County. Just a short drive from Tampa and Sarasota, the Central Florida town has an average winter high of 77 degrees and a median nightly vacation-home price of $76. Please click here for more: Englewood Tops Snowbird List

POPULAR RESTAURANT TARGETS RETURN TO CIRCLE

Shore, a popular St. Armands restaurant and retail spot, is trying to come back to the Circle after closing its doors in December 2024 following extensive flood damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton. The redevelopment team submitted preapplication materials to the city’s Development Review Committee, with phased plans to renovate what is currently a two-story building into a three-story mixed-use establishment containing a restaurant, retail space and approximately eight residential units. Further improvements to the site, located at the corner of North Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive, include upgrades to the building’s exterior, landscaping enhancements and modernizing the interior spaces, according to the preapplication plans. Site renderings show a cafe, bodega and retail space on the first floor; a restaurant and bar on the second; and a pool, gym and rooftop lounge on the third floor. The redevelopment team will be required to submit site plans at a future DRC meeting, as the preapplication conference is a preliminary step in a long list of actions needed for final approval. Please click on the link for more: Popular Restaurant Targets Return To Circle

SARASOTA OPERA ARTISTIC DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN

Artistic director and principal conductor Victor DeRenzi is leaving the Sarasota Opera at the end of his contract in May, ending a 44-year tenure that made him the longest-serving artistic director in the world and shaped the company into one of the most respected in the country. DeRenzi, who joined the Sarasota Opera in 1982, has overseen more than 1,500 performances of 218 productions performed in nine languages. Of those, he conducted close to 900. In 2016, the company completed the Verdi Cycle to become the only opera company in the world to perform every note composed by the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. DeRenzi founded the Masterworks Revival Series and the American Classics Series, bringing rarely performed operas and 20th-century American works to Sarasota audiences.

DeRenzi also championed education and professional development through the creation of the Sarasota Youth Opera and the Apprentice and Studio Artists programs for singers, pianists, and stage directors, nurturing talent and fostering community engagement. “Victor’s artistic leadership has been the cornerstone of Sarasota Opera’s growth and reputation,” said Arthur Siciliano, chair of the board of trustees. “His devotion to the art form, the artists, and the audience has elevated our company to national and international prominence.” Richard Russell, company executive director from 2012-21 and general director since 2021, will assume the role of artistic director in addition to his current position, starting in June 2026, as the company prepares to celebrate the centennial of the Sarasota Opera House in 2026. Please click here for more: Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Steps Down