Sarasota city and county cooperation on public development along the Ringling Boulevard corridor. A fissure between the two governments seems to have grown regarding the use of the old police building site, city land which at one point was to be transferred to the county but which city officials have been reluctant to turn over. “It sits there now as a nicely-mowed lawn,” said County Commissioner Alan Maio. “Surely there is some higher and better use.”

County commissioners expressed frustration about the slow pace of the transfer at a financial workshop on Friday, suggesting no other county development planned in that area of the city should move forward until the matter is resolved. At the same time, city officials have been concerned that the original plans for the site have been abandoned, and that has bearing on any years-old deal dating back to 2003. “We are trying to figure out what the county wants to do with the property,” said Jan Thornburg. “We are just trying to make our plans with the future of downtown.” Initially, the deal in 2003 was in anticipation of a justice center expansion. But that was a recession and three city managers ago, and an update on plans is in order.

County Commissioner Paul Caragiulo, who until November was serving on the City Commission, said he has been frustrated by the handling of the land by city administration. He said it was only when he came to the county that he learned county administration made a commitment to use the property for a public use and not simply sell it. “It’s the way the city administration is doing business,” Caragiulo said. “We can’t work with someone who is not willing to communicate.”