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SRQ DAILY Oct 8, 2014

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"Making housing affordable for the working class is good for the economy. I consider it an indirect subsidy to the business community to hold wages down."

- Michael Pyatok, Pyatok Architecture and Urban Design
 

[Architecture]  Can Low-Cost Housing Mean High Rewards?
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Michael Pyatok wanted to give no false impressions during a lecture to Sarasota's architect community Tuesday night. While the acclaimed architect had a slideshow full of successful projects that helped provide affordable housing to low-income Americans, he did not want anyone to believe he had even made a good start at solving some sort of challenge. "I would feel guilty if I got you thinking this country is intelligently resolving its problem," he said, half-joking.

Pyatok, a professor and architect from Oakland, Calif., whose office has designed more than 35,000 units of affordable housing for low-income households, spoke at The Francis as part of the Center For Architecture Sarasota's Archtober series. In a room full of architects, Pyatok talked plenty about how to design a good project for low-income families—cluster homes to make a sense of community, never locate children too close to a parking garage for fear of safety both for the kids and cars, allow for proper ventilation so people cooking can clear smoke from their homes quickly—a significant part of his lecture focused on the economic problems facing the middle and lower class today. He said groups like Occupy Wall Street have generated good attention to the accumulation of wealth by the top 1 percent of earners, but thought it was overlooked that the bottom 80 percent of earners was responsible for just 40 percent of product consumption today. "The financial sector is running away with our wealth from our labor," he said.

Affordable housing, Pyatok suggested, could help empower those with modest incomes again by making sure a lower percentage of their income was being spent on shelter. That, in turn, would allow employers to offer more competitive salaries and lead to a greater amount of commerce in the region.

Pyatok's lecture was followed by a panel discussion among local figures discussing Sarasota's housing state today. Developer Jesse Biter said he had concerns about subsidized affordable housing because income requirements could result in dependency. He would prefer an increase in allowable density for housing downtown so developers could offer housing in the middle-class price range without public assistance playing a role. "I'm a firm believer everyone needs a hand up, not a handout," he said. 

Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin, though, said there is an enormous need for affordable housing in the city. He noted the Sarasota Housing Authority is managing some 1,400 rental subsidy vouchers right now, in comparison to about 200 being handled in Bradenton and a total of 1,100 being handled by Manatee County.

David Brain, New College of Florida professor, said the community needs to stop thinking of poor families as a problem that must be cured. "This is really an opportunity," he said, noting communities can flourish with more homeowners who live, work and play in the region. 

Urban design planner Andrew Georgiadis, of Sarasota's Urban Design Studio, said the city needs first to address problems in its code that prevent good development in the city, noting some properties have setback requirements that prohibit development. Certain fixes to city code, he said, could allow construction of cheaper housing like granny flats.

Jim Shirley, executive director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, said opportunities are coming quickly that could result in affordable housing centered around art. The trick will be making sure areas remain accessible even as projects become successful "Look at Towles Court," he said, noting that the artist colony once provided affordable homes for artists but subsequently property values shot up and young artists can longer afford to move in. 

[Chef Spotlight]  Matthew Lewis, The Capital Grille
Kaye Warr

The Capital Grille is the buzziest addition to the buzzed about new Mall at University Town Center. Debuting Oct. 17, this nationally acclaimed fine-dining restaurant promises relaxed elegance, professional service, and delectable food. Chef Matthew Lewis cuts a dashing figure behind the gleaming silver line in the open plan kitchen as he prepares his team to serve such favorites as mouthwatering Porcini Rubbed Delmonico and indulgent Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese. 

When did you know you wanted to be a Chef?  My grandfather was a cook in the Korean War and he started teaching me to make Louisiana Gumbo and steamed Lobster when I was two years old.  

How did you come to work at The Capital Grille?  I’ve been a culinary adventurer, setting up luxury restaurants in hotel properties and moving on. I wanted to partner with a restaurant company with an excellent and established reputation and create a home I could be proud of.  

The Capital Grille, 140 University Town Center Drive, 941-256-3647.

[Exec Moves ]  Glasser Schoenbaum Elects Executive Board

The Board of Directors of The Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center elected the following members to serve as officers for the 2014-2015 term: Robert Coppenrath, president; Jack Kidd, vice president; Sam Shapiro, immediate past president; Jonathan P. Whitney of Lutz, Bobo, Telfair, Dunham and Gabel, secretary; and Michael Johnson of Edward Jones, treasurer. The Board of Directors also appointed Nelle S. Miller to the board. 

Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center

[Exec Moves ]  Wilson, Dennis Join Center for Architecture

Center for Architecture Sarasota announced the addition of two members to the organization's Board of Directors. Michael J. Wilson is a shareholder with the law firm of Williams, Parker, Harrison, Dietz and Getzen specializing in tax, corporate and business law. Holly Dennis is a Florida-registered interior designer and owner of Holly Dennis Interiors with an extensive background in hospitality design. 

Center for Architecture Sarasota

[Exec Moves ]  Coldwell Welcomes Champlin, Bridinger

Dan Bridinger joined Coldwell Banker Commercial as a commercial associate. His passion is in negotiation and financial analysis with the emphasis in the investment property and leasing markets. Dane Champlin has been a performance leader in various managerial positions for companies such as General Electric, Old Castle, MMI Products and Merchants Metals. He owned and operated several businesses throughout his career and developed an understanding of the never-ending quest for value and profitability.   

Coldwell Banker Commercial

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

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