« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY May 2, 2016

Monday Business Edition

Monday Business Edition

"I am not against building quality, but when you layer on an additional 20 to 30 percent onto building just a sound, safe quality home, you need to look hard at the effect of those decisions."

- Andy Dorr, Githler Development
 

[Logistics]  Trade Down in Florida in 2015

Florida’s merchandise trade, adding both exports and imports, totaled $147.4 billion in 2015, down 4 percent from the previous year, according to Enterprise Florida. Slowing economies in some of the state’s largest markets, including Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, contributed to a 10.4 percent decline in exports. But imports rose 3.3 percent. 

[Real Estate]  The Cost of Affordable Living
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

While the issue of providing for the homeless has grabbed headlines for years in Sarasota, those living in houses but just getting by aren’t often the subject of such debate. But some 20,000 households in Sarasota County would lose their current housing if faced with a $400 unexpected expense, according to Jon Thaxton, Gulf Coast Community Foundation senior vice president of investment. “Sarasota is supported and dependent upon a workforce that has to be recognized,” Thaxton said, “and we have to recognize that workforce needs housing.”

Thaxton spoke as part of a panel discussion and roundtable hosted by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. Gathered leaders said the stock of housing available to working-class people, particular near high employment areas like Downtown Sarasota, remains stunningly low.  

Don Hadsell, Sarasota Housing and Community Development director, said the demand for affordable housing is growing faster than public agencies can meet it. He noted that the state has devoted less money to its housing trust fund than was available in 1990 even without accounting for inflation. “When awareness of the issue improves, it helps people learn and come up with solutions,” he said. 

Robert Young, Government Issues chairman for the Sarasota Young Professionals Group, has conducted a survey of the organization’s members and found that a substantial percentage would like to live downtown but cannot afford to do so. “I work downtown, and traffic is incredibly bad because that is where everyone is driving,” he noted. He is in the process of doing an in-depth survey on the demand for housing in the Rosemary District, where a number of rental developments and affordable housing efforts are in planning or construction phase now. “Rosemary is one of those his places people want to go to now, but nobody lives yet,” he said. 

Andy Dorr, chairman of the Economic and Community Development Division for the Chamber, said the greatest issue stopping the creation of more affordable units near the city core is the the cost of construction. When land downtown runs $1 million to $2 million an acre, that requires expensive vertical construction to turn a profit. He also said the region now has complex zoning regulations that are “overlaid with too much good intention.” “I am not against building quality, but when you layer on an additional 20 to 30 percent onto building just a sound, safe quality home, you need to look hard at the effect of those decisions,” he said. 

[Agenda]  Meters on St. Armands Up For Discussion
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Sarasota City Commission: The board meets today to vote on establishing an area for paid parking in and around St. Armands Circle, a move being considered to generate revenues for a parking structure. The board will also consider an amendment to its comprehensive plan rezoning land on Fruitville Road where developer Harvey Vengroff would like to develop 399 affordable apartment units. The evening session begins at 6pm at City Hall.

Manatee County Commission: The board meets Thursday for a land-use meeting and will hold a hearing on a rezone in Lakewood Ranch for 111 acres at 44th Avenue West and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to approve a development plan for 33 non-residential mixed-use lots. The meeting begins at 9am at the Manatee County Government Administrative Building in Bradenton. 

Sarasota City Commission

[Recognition]  Venice Regional Recertified by Joint Commission

Venice Regional Bayfront Health earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. The hospital has maintained the advanced certification since 2009. To earn recertification, Venice Regional underwent a rigorous onsite review in February 2016. Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements, including program management, the delivery of clinical care and performance improvement. 

Venice Regional Bayfront Health

[Exec Moves]  Peterson Named COO at Eide Center

The Elling Eide Center announced Cynthia Peterson has been named chief operating officer. Peterson oversees the organization’s operations, including maintaining and preserving the numerous historical structures on its 72-acre property. She also serves as the collections manager for the library, archives, art and artifacts bequeathed by Elling Eide and is responsible for helping to keep the collection current. Peterson is a certified archivist and serves as the board chair of the Center for Architecture Sarasota. 

Elling O. Eide Charitable Foundation

[Recognition]  Shaw, Roff Recognized by League of Cities

Sarasota Mayor Willie Charles Shaw and Bradenton City Councilman Patrick Roff were honored by The Florida League of Cities with the 2016 Home Rule Hero Award in recognition of advocacy for the protection of home rule powers and rights of city constituents and citizens during the 2016 Legislative Session. 

Florida League of Cities

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