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SRQ DAILY Sep 21, 2015

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"Additional residents support existing and additional retail, and provide an employment base for companies locating here."

- Norm Gollub, City of Sarasota
 

[Compensation]  Gender Wage Gap Still Exists

Women in the United States still suffer from a wage gap, earning 79 cents for every dollar paid for men for full-time, year-round jobs, according to a new study releaased last week by the National Partnership for Women and Families. The gap is not quite as bad in Florida, where women are paid 85 cents for every dollar paid to men, a smaller gap than all but four other states and Washington, D.C. The study was based on U.S. Census data. In no state were women paid as much as men. 

National Partnership for Women and Families

[Development]  Sarasota Sees Record Permit Applications
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

When the fiscal year ends at Sarasota City Hall next week, it will close the books on a record year in terms of development. As of Friday afternoon, some 8,102 permit applications had been submitted to the Neighborhood and Development Services Department, and officials are still taking in about 40 to 50 new requests every day. “This has been quite unbelievable for everybody,” said Gretchen Schneider, Planning and Development general manager. 

A celebration was held in the office Tuesday after the department pulled in its 8,000th application of the year, a first at City Hall. The activity continues a multiyear trend in terms of increased activity. In the 2013-14 Fiscal Year, the city pulled in a record 7,213 applications, and the prior year saw some 6,319 applications come in. The fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.

The department handles permits for everything from major development projects to driveway permits, and the high number of applications reflects in growth in a variety of arenas. Schneider said there has been a substantial increase in the number of single-family home applications, but the city has also processed requests for commercial development, high-rises and hotel space as well. “Generally a high tide raises all boats,” she said. “Everything seems to be up.” The 8,102 permits as of Friday afternoon includes 93 for new homes, 1,286 for residential renovations, 855 for commercial renovations and 11 for new buildings, among other applications, according to Permitting Coordinator Joyce Williams.

Norm Gollup, Sarasota Economic Development director, said the news was good for business growth in the city all around. He’s happy to see hotels going up in Sarasota, a long-stated desire of economic officials, but sees the intense interest in residential development in the Rosemary District to be a plus as well. “Additional residents support existing and additional retail, and provide an employment base for companies locating here,” he said. “Each of these cannot operate in a vacuum.”

And while Sarasota sometimes gets criticized as a difficult place for developers to do business, Gollub noted that customer feedback at City Hall has been overwhelmingly complimentary as well. “There are relatively few people who are dissatisfied with the process,” he said. “The majority of customer comments have been very positive.” 

Photo courtesy City of Sarasota. Neighborhood and Development Services staff celebrates accepting more than 8,000 permit applications.

[Agenda]  Bradenton Discusses Manatee Ave Project

Sarasota City Commission: The board meets today to discuss the Florida Power and Light Renewable Energy Agreement, the Tree Protection ordinance and other matters. The evening session begins at 6pm at City Hall.

Sarasota County Commission: The board on Tuesday will hear results of the 2015 Sarasota County Annual Citizens Survey by Dr. Susan Macmanus. The meeting begins at 9am at the Sarasota County Administration Center in Sarasota. 

Bradenton City Council: The board meets Wednesday for a series of public hearings on a development plan for property on Manatee Avenue East owned by Bradenton Land Group and O’Rea Farms Two. The meeting begins at 6pm at City Hall. 

Bradenton City Council

[Expansion]  All Faiths Growing Facility

All Faiths Food Bank is planning a $3.1-million expansion to double its size and capacity.  After 18 months of planning, All Faiths announced its plan to increase the size of its facility at Blaikie Court. By purchasing the warehouse and land next door, the new, expanded facility will have 40,000 square feet with a 4,000-square-foot freezer/cooler. 

All Faiths Food Bank

[Exec Moves]  McPheeters Elected to CFAS Board

James-Allen McPheeters, an attorney with the law firm of Williams Parker, has been elected to the Center For Architecture Sarasota’s Board of Directors.  The Center For Architecture Sarasota aspires to advance education and promote public engagement with architecture through a program of tours, exhibitions, lectures, films and other special events. 

Williams Parker

[Opening]  Restorative Medical Leases Space in Venice

Restorative Medical Center has leased a 1,694-square-foot medical office space located on Nokomis Avenue in Venice. Lorraine Renfrow, with Realty Solutions SRQ, represented the tenant. The landlord was represented by Brad Lindberg, an advisor with the downtown Sarasota office of Sperry Van Ness Commercial Advisory Group. 

Restorative Medical Center

[Branding]  Fuzion Now Sarasota Contemprary Dance

Fuzion Dance Artists has changed its name and brand to Sarasota Contemporary Dance. The name change was formally announced on Saturday, along with the company’s 10th anniversary season calendar. See the line-up at SRQMag.com. 

Sarasota Contemporary Dance

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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