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SRQ DAILY May 25, 2020

Monday Business Edition

Monday Business Edition

"Many of these units are owned by retires who invested in them as part of their nest egg."

- Virginia Haley, Visit Sarasota County
 

[Tourism]  Vacation Rentals Returned, With Restrictions, In Time For Memorial Day
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Tourism is an industry no longer contained on resorts and hotel properties. But a ban on short-term rentals issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis early in the pandemic impacted the sector significantly. Just ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the state approved plans from Sarasota and Manatee counties to bring the business back online.

Virginia Haley, president of Visit Sarasota County, said rentals make up a significant part of tourism tax revenue in Sarasota County, so it was important to pull together a plan that could win state approval and bring those rooms back online.

“We knew that there was good demand from visitors, especially locals going into the holiday weekend, for these businesses that have been totally shut down since April 1,” she said. 

And Haley noted that vacation rentals are often owned by individuals who rely on the income in their day-to-day lives. “Many of these units are owned by retires who invested in them as part of their nest egg,” she said. “I’m glad we were able to open in a safe and cautious way.” 

There are plenty of catches. Officials in Manatee County announced temporary regulations on rentals including restricting bookings to U.S. residents from states with a COVID-19 infection rate of less than 700 cases per 100,000 residents.  Social distancing guidelines must be spelled out clearly to guests, and specific cleanliness measures must be implemented by landlords.

“Because vacation rentals have been closed during the pandemic, we’re asking that vacation rental managers take extra precautions to make sure their renters have access to and follow the guidelines in the approved plan,” said Manatee County Administrator Cheryl Coryea. “[Owners] should ensure that their renters are aware and abide by the approved plan, but also any municipal restrictions where the rental is located.”

Similar restrictions exist in Sarasota as well. The availability of rentals has been controversial at the state level, and not something DeSantis included in initial Phase One reopening on May 4. Involving the encouragement of travel from visitors from outside the state, the Department of Business Development and Regulation has continued to carefully review county plans and approving them on an individual basis. 



[The Bay]  Temporary Bridge Closure and Walking Map

Progress continues on the Mangrove Bayou Walkway project. Next week, on or around May 26th, the existing pedestrian path and bridge through the Mangrove Bayou will be closed for approximately 90 days so construction on the new walkway can begin. Initially, the construction team will focus on completing the quarter-mile path west of this bridge. Once that portion is finished, the bridge will reopen and construction will commence on the areas to the east of the bridge. To help visitors navigate the site during construction - whether walking, running or biking - a temporary path and new sidewalks have been installed. A map of this new pathway can be viewed on our website. 

Click to access the map.

[Brain Health Initiative]  Brain Health This Week

Brain Health Boost: 10 am: Facebook Mindful Moment in partnership with Lakewood Ranch: 10-15 minute Mind-Body experience (recorded and can be viewed anytime)

Tuesday 1pm, through May 26
Brain Health Boost: Create for Care-Art Projects for Kids: hosted by Kori Clark Design, sponsored by Lakewood Ranch

Consider placing a pick-up or delivery order from one of the Lakewood Ranch Farmers' Market vendors or visit the farmers' market Pinterest page for healthy recipe ideas.

Every Wednesday at 7pm through May 27
Brain Health Boost: Ranch Nites: Virtual Happy Hour-Live stream performance by local musicians

Brain Health Boost: Facebook Live, in partnership with Lakewood Ranch- Keep Calm and Carry on Community Meditation (recorded and can be viewed anytime)

Every Friday at 10am through May 22
Brain Health Boost: Facebook live Lakewood Ranch presents: Fit Tip Fridays and Fit Tips for Kids

Sun Coast ARTS Reach Task Force, local arts education experts created daily arts-based learning activities. They are available free to families, teachers, and caregivers and a new calendar is launched every Friday. 

For more info.

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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