While all eyes were on the election, the city commission discussed the Van Wezel and downtown developments
By Della Hale
Original Air Date: November 13, 2024
Host: The flooded Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. Handing over a downtown street to a developer. And is 10 percent affordable housing enough in a big new mixed-use project? WSLR reporter Della Hale followed up on three important City of Sarasota stories that got lost in election anxiety.
Della Hale: Hurricanes and development proposals are keeping City of Sarasota administrators busy. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the high-profile historical venue that is owned by the city, was among the buildings affected. Sustaining significant flooding on the lower level, the Van Wezel is now undergoing extensive repairs.
The Van Wezel
On Friday the Ad Hoc Van Wezel Purple Ribbon Committee met to discuss the hall’s repairs and adjustments to the show schedule. Executive Director Mary Bensel reported that the hall’s orchestra pit lift, after being submerged under four feet of water, will cost about a quarter million to fix. The 6,000-square-foot carpet in the grand foyer is also being removed, with polished concrete being considered as a more resilient replacement. Additionally, vinyl flooring in the dressing rooms was ruined, and new kitchen equipment will be needed. An electrical transformer explosion caused by damaged wiring forced the building to have to run on external power sources. Currently, the hall is running on generator power. Drywall and flooring replacements are scheduled for later in the month. Bensel said that total repair costs are estimated at $7 million. But the overall financial impact is bigger, as performances were canceled through at least January, and the hall is expected to lose revenue for the first half of the season The Van Wezel is the object of controversy, as some fear the city might tear it down if it is being replaced by a new performing arts center that is under discussion. Residents have formed a group to “save the purple cow”. They contend the new performing arts center the city is currently discussing is not needed if the VanWezel is properly renovated to better cope with flooding.
Meanwhile, Sarasota residents are closely watching a proposed development plan on Cross Street, a unique city-maintained road lined with large oak trees that provide shade to passersby. The historic McAlpin House also sits along this street on the southern edge of downtown, adding to its character. Although there is no formal development plan attached to the request, the developer has requested that the city vacate Cross Street, intending to incorporate it into a future mixed-use project.
A Community Workshop last year drew around 30 attendees. Many residents raised questions about the applicant’s reasons for closing the street, expressing concerns about converting a public road into private property without a specific plan. Sarasota residents also voiced their unease after City Attorney Robert Fournier pointed out that city commissioners had received substantial gifts from Steel Harbour Capital Partners, a developer with interests in the property. Despite these concerns, the city commission approved the street vacation request in a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Jen Ahearn-Koch (pronounced Kotsh) and Debbie Trice opposing. Commissioner Erik Arroyo, who was voted out of office the next day by a more resident-centered candidate, cast the decisive vote
In a special session on November 4, the Sarasota city commission voted unanimously to approve the proposed redevelopment of Southgate Mall. Benderson Development, one of the largest commercial developers in the region, is proposing to change the ailing mall into a mixed-use project with hundreds of apartments. To get there, Benderson needed the city to approve a rezone. This is one of the largest contiguous properties in the city, and at issue has been whether the developer’s proposal to make 10 percent of the apartments affordable for working people is sufficient. One city planning board member had asked for more, but the developer contends that is financially impossible. Neighbor Reanne Malone expressed her support for the project.
Reanne Malone: I look forward to the site plan stage, which I think is coming up next. And I’m optimistic that the Southgate Mall property will be a flagship development for Benderson, which they can point to in the future as inspiration for other projects down the line.
DH: Commissioner Debbie Trice echoed concerns that a 10 percent “attainable” component is not enough to solve the area’s affordable housing crisis. She asked to change the wording from “10 percent” to “at least 10 percent”. The developer did not object, and the rezone sailed through on a five-to-zero vote in second reading.
This has been Della Hale reporting 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.
