The planned expansion would be on land that flooded during Helene
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: October 4, 2024
Host: Plymouth Harbor is one of Sarasota’s biggest and oldest retirement communities, and they would like to build a major expansion. But they would like to do that near an area that was completely under water during the recent storm. WSLR News reporter Ramon Lopez has the details.
Ramon Lopez: A sparsely attended community workshop was held last Monday night at Selby Library, the first step in the lengthy process to add more residences to the iconic Plymouth Harbor. Attendees discussed a rezone and site plan to construct a new residential building on Plymouth Harbor, which is located at 700 John Ringling Blvd, between downtown Sarasota and Saint Armands. The nearly 17-acre property is currently zoned MCI, for medical charitable institutional, and is proposed to be rezoned to RMF-5, which stands for Residential Multi Family-5. It will allow residential density of 25 units per acre, which is the same allowed by the existing MCI zoning.
For those who don’t know: the 25-story Plymouth Harbor Tower rivals the Ritz Carlton as the tallest building in the city of Sarasota. After the tower was built, enough locals complained about Sarasota going the way of Miami, that the city commission passed a height restriction limiting buildings downtown to 18 stories. The retirement community complex was the brainchild of the Rev. John MacNeil, pastor of Sarasota’s First Congressional United Church in 1957. He also played a major role in the founding of New College.
Groundbreaking took place in 1964 and residents first moved in two years later. The tower is divided into nine living areas of three floors each, called ‘colonies’. Additional smaller buildings were added: the Northwest Garden, North Garden, East Garden and West Garden. Plymouth Harbor currently has 250 independent living quarters, plus residences and facilities for assisted living, memory care and nursing home patients.
The proposed new 115-foot tall building is dubbed the Northeast Tower. It will include nine floors of 153 independent living dwelling units above three levels of parking. The new building replaces an existing ground-level covered parking lot. Currently there are 373 parking spaces on the property. There will be 470 parking spots in the new garage for a total of about 640 with the buildout.
Between the new building and the massive 25-story tower will be a new 350-seat performing arts center for community events. An existing auditorium only holds 100 people.
Plymouth Harbor President and CEO Jeff Weatherhead talked about the planned performing arts venue.
Jeff Weatherhead: Knowing that we’re going to add probably 220 residents, our current auditorium would not be large enough. So, you know, we had to rethink how will the amenities perform, to meet the needs of a growing community. And we wanted that building to not be a stand alone. So it needs to connect to the rest of the community.
RL: Weatherhead said construction of the new building will cost an estimated $180 million, with the total cost up to $220 million. He is seeking long-term financing for the project, preferably tax-exempt bonds. He said construction of the new complex should start in 2027, and be completed two years later.
Weatherhead doesn’t expect any blowback from the city commissioners.
JW: Fingers crossed that we don’t. We have been in communications with the city and county about the plan, making sure that we understand what zoning level that they would want it to be designated as, and we’re planning to that. We will certainly comply with anything necessary towards this rezoning effort. It’s our goal to remain in a very good collaborative relationship with the city, the county and and with the community at large. Plymouth Harbor has been here a long time. Very well respected and we want to maintain that level of relationship.
RL: Weatherhead told WSLR News the Northeast Tower will complete Plymouth Harbor’s evolution:
JW: This plan is actually born out of the master plan that was created in 2006. So this is kind of the last evolution of that master plan. And what I can tell you is, Florida in general and Sarasota in particular remains a very popular destination for seniors. People still want to move here. The influx is still strong and we have an aging population.
RL: Weatherhead said he doesn’t see any problem filling the new residences. There’s 250 people on the waiting list and few vacancies. Getting a place there takes eight months to five years. The 150 new independent living dwellings should help.
This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
WSLR News aims to keep the local community informed with our 1/2 hour local news show, quarterly newspaper and social media feeds. The local news broadcast airs on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm.