The public got its chance to speak to a master plan for the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens at a Sarasota Planning Board meeting last week. But even after two extended meetings on a series of planning and zoning matters around vision, the board has yet to make its recommendations.

Two neighborhood associations sent attorneys to address their remaining concerns with the lofty plan.

“We object to the applications, not to Selby Gardens but to what we think is an overly ambitious, almost grandiose plan far too intense for this 14.7 acre contained site, said Bill Moore, on behalf of the Baypoint Park Neighborhood Association. “This is not Denver, Atlanta, New York or Chicago.”

Most notably, neighbors have a problem with the parking garage and proposed restaurant whcih they say can generate traffic to the site even when the Gardens proper are not in operation.

Robert Lincoln, on behalf of the Hudson Crossings Condominium Association, said Selby Gardens has worked closely with its immediate neighbors, and he remains hopeful sticking points in ongoing talks can be ironed out. He said deficiencies in city code creates some of the problems for all parties involved. If the city had a multi-use planned development land-use category, that could resolve issues about planning and predictability for the gardens property, he said.

Former Sarasota City Commissioner Susan Chapman, who lives in the nearby Hudson Bayou neighborhood, objects strongly to the Selby Gardens plan. While city staff recommends approval of the plan in part because of the Gardens cultural significance to Sarasota, she quibbled with whether a parking garage and restaurant served any greater good. “These are not unique to the community,” she said. “There are plenty of restaurants with which this will compete.”

Former Commissioner Ken Shelin gave a passionate a speech in favor of the plan. “Selby Gardens and this master plan does the things citizens expect from our city,” he said. He considered the efficient use of space on the Selby site to be a benefit to all, and that better visitor attractions outside the historic gardens, which will remain pristine, will invite more visitors into the community of Sarasota.

ATLARGE founder Anand Pallegar noted that much of the land where new amenities are planned today are used for parking. He praised Selby Gardens leadership, particularly CEO Jennifer Rominiecki, for a plan that will generate greater interest worldwide in the work done at Selby Gardens. “Perhaps in doing something like this, it will inspire a generation of epiphyte lovers, which would be an amazing thing to see,” he said. 

“Sometimes change is difficult, but as someone betting in the future of this city, this is a plan that holds an intense amount of opportunity for the community for generations to come.”

The Planning Board will hold a third meeting on the plan on Oct. 2. 

This past Thurdsay, Dean of the Florida State University College of Medicine's Dr. John Fogarty, reflected on the state of the college before a large crowd of faculty, students and community members. Regional Campus Dean, Dr. Nicole Bentze, expressed deep appreciation for the over 300 local physicians who teach the third and fourth year medical students and physician assistant students. Two physicians were recognized and celebrated for their accomplishments as Clerkship Faculty. Kathleen Kennedy, MD received the Outstanding Community Faculty Educator Award.  This award recognized Dr. Kennedy for consistently demonstrating dedication to principles of the curriculum, for identifying and meeting educational needs of students, and for his enthusiasm for teaching, participation in faculty development, and willingness to work collaboratively to deliver the clinical curriculum effectively. Vien Dinh, MD was honored with the Guardian of the Mission Award.  Dr. Dinh has distinguished himself by participating in activities that model the mission of the college: educating and developing exemplary physicians who practice patient centered health care, discover and advance knowledge, and are responsive to community needs, especially through service to elder, rural, minority, and underserved populations.  

GATES Construction is pleased to announce the addition of Ben Haynie as Senior Superintendent. Haynie is responsible for daily onsite supervision of GATES’ projects, including quality control, safety, security, project close out, and transition planning. Haynie has over 37 years of construction experience with a wide variety of project types such as commercial, industrial, hospitality, retail construction and much more. Haynie will be based out of GATES Construction’s Headquarters in Bonita Springs. 

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the nominees for the inaugural MYP MVP Awards. These awards will recognize young professionals in Manatee County ages 21 - 40 who were nominated for demonstrating excellence in their careers, leadership and advocacy.  In addition, an employer in Manatee County who implements creative, and intentional initiatives to attract and retain young talent to our region will be honored. Congratulations to the following nominees: 

MYP MVP Individual Category  Ann Breitinger, Blalock Walters, P.A., T.J. Chitekwe, CS&L CPAs, Ogden Clark, Manatee County Government, Catherine Ferrer, Realize Bradenton, Inc., Cathy Fragale, Orange Theory Fitness University Park, Dustin Fusillo, Air & Energy, Alyssa Gay, Alyssa Gay Consulting, Gabriele Harris, Grapevine Communications, Brittney Hoogland, American Cancer Society, Rich Knowles, enRich Bistro, Chris Laney, CareerSource Suncoast, Brad Laudicina, Eye Center, Inc., Kendall Lewis, Sokos Social, Simone Peterson, Manatee County Government, Jeffrey Ryan, Manatee County Government, Jessica Ryherd, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Eleni Sokos, Sokos Social, Robert Stanell, CS&L CPAs, Bart Stucker, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, Grace Talerico, Entech, Amanda Tullidge, Blalock Walters, P.A., Danielle Visone, Tidewell Hospice, Craig Warzecha, Bradenton Marauders, LECOM Park, Keenan Wooten, Project Guide Right, Inc.

MYP MVP Company Category   Beall’s Inc., Blalock Walters, P.A., enRich Bistro, Manatee County Government, Realize Bradenton, Sokos Social, State College of Florida and Tropicana.

Winners will be announced at an awards luncheon on Friday, October 18 from 11:30am  to 1:30pm at PIER22 Restaurant at 1200 1st Ave. W., Bradenton. 

For more.

The "No Swim" advisories issued Thursday, September 26th for Brohard Beach has been lifted. Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County officials received testing results today at a satisfactory level meeting both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state recreational water standards. Residents and visitors may return to swimming and other water sports at this site. The "no swim" advisory signage has been removed.

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County monitors water quality weekly at 16 sites along Sarasota's 34 miles of beaches. The intent of this program is to provide county residents and visitors with accurate, up-to-date information on the water quality at our beaches. 

Check other beach warnings.

The School District of Manatee County is in receipt of an orrder from the Department of Administrative Hearings on the appeal filed by Lincoln Memorial Academy, Inc.  The decision by the School Board to terminate Lincoln Memorial Academy, Inc.’s charter on the grounds of  an immediate and serious danger to the health, safety and welfare of students was upheld in its entirety. Lincoln Memorial Academy’s appeal was denied. The decision by the Department of Administrative Hearings reflects the facts presented in the case and such decision is consistent with the statute that governs all charter schools. 

It has been made clear that the intention of the School Board of Manatee County is that Lincoln Memorial Academy remain a charter school in such a way that guarantees its success academically, financially and in terms of community governance and support. As such, the School Board will continue to pursue all options to turn that intention into a reality.” 

Manatee Schools

Have you noticed our new look? SRQ MEDIA is pleased to announce the official launch of a new website. Within the site’s new design and layout, SRQ articles and features are organized using a curated approach. The updated website also offers enhanced search capabilities and the ability to share videos. Look for videos produced by SRQ MEDIA’s Moving Stories Division. Moving Stories employs the authentic documentarian process to create videos projects that tell moving stories about the companies and organizations in our community. “The new website reflects a strong local presence by curating the incredible wealth of stories our team produces in print, online and in video,” comments Lisl Liang, CEO and Editor In Chief of SRQ MEDIA. “Visitors will experience authentic local content within a dynamic and simplified user-friendly space.” 

Click here to view the website