As the process for The Bay continues, consultants Sasaki have released conceptual renderings for the future of the 53 acres on Sarasota’s Bayfront. Now, officials continue to gather feedback on the designs, which all for the moment include preserving many cultural structures fronting Tamiami Trail but reform the waterfront parts of the property that now host the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. 

Bill Waddill, managing director for The Bay process, says the community should share opinions on the three alternatives about what resonates with them and what does not. Feedback on May 21 and 22 will be refined for a draft master plan to present to the community, and programming strategies will be developed. Then on June 25 and 26, a final master plan will be developed for the community in anticipation of a City Commission meeting on Sept. 6. “We’re really at a critical time in this process,” Waddill says.

The three concepts remain flexible, but here are the major attributes of the plans.

Shift The Horizon: This plan would involve the a floating stage surrounded by a largely green amphitheater, located Bay-ward of a new performing arts and cultural center. Extended mangroves and boardwalks align for views of sunset in summer or winter, and docks on the north side of the property get similar treatment treatment. Green-roofed garages surround the new cultural hall, and all of the high ground would be pulled back from the water and elevated. Everything gets centered from the Municipal Auditorium location, with the new hall due west of the historic structure.

Bridge The Divide: One pedestrian bridge spanning over 10th Street would connect downtown with the Bayfront, a new performing arts hall would span over the water now separating the the north and south sides of the site. This would create a new canal district near the new cultural center. Expansive outdoor venues and multi-use lawns. Boardwalks around the perimeter would also connect to nearby hotels, and new inlets would boost the waterfront and greenery, while a horseshoe drive would also allow enjoyment of the facility before leaving a vehicle.

The Village and the Island: An ecological attraction would be formed with a new island surrounded with beach areas and floating greenery. The new, green attraction would host a swimming hole and natural forest, along with an event lawn. A new performing hall would open immediately behind the Municipal Auditorium but vertical construction would cluster along a main street parallel to U.S. 41, with a water channel separating the island amenity from the high and dry, built-up district. The Sarasota Orchestra would be in a new building anchoring one edge of the cultural district. 

See more details on the plans at SRQMagazine.com

Harry Lipstein, founder of Urbanite Theatre in Sarasota; Brittany Proia, FSU/Asolo Conservatory alumni (class of ’13); and Ben Williamson, FSU/Asolo Conservatory alumni (class of '14) are bringing their experience and passion for actor-driven, intimate, live theatre to the Hudson Valley as the founding artistic team of a brand new black box theatre—Denizen Theatre. Denizen Theatre is a new non-profit, arts organization focused on producing professional theatre in New Paltz, a burgeoning arts scene with a progressive community and vibrant student population, just 90 minutes outside of New York City. Denizen Theatre's year-round programing will provide opportunities to local and regional artists from the Hudson Valley to New York City and will create opportunities for FSU/Asolo Conservatory graduates. 

Denizen Theater

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has announced early leadership gifts toward the institution’s new master site plan and future programming that will increase its green space by 50 percent and secure its scientific collection to protect it from future sea level rise, allowing for expanded educational outreach. The institution shared that more than $15 million in early leadership gifts have been raised in the six months since the conceptual master plan was unveiled. The three-phase, multi-year plan details how the botanical garden will grow to become a global model for horticultural display, botanical studies and green building technology, while also welcoming additional visitors to the more than 200,000 people that currently visit its property on Palm Avenue in downtown Sarasota each year. The first phase of the project (which entails nearly half of the work to be completed) includes the Jean Goldstein Welcome Center, which will be home to the Nathalie McCulloch Library, leading to the Steinwachs Family Plant Research Center. Notably, the Steinwachs Family Plant Research Center will house the Elaine Nicpon Marieb Herbarium and Laboratory, which will steward and display the institution's renowned preserved plant collection that is referenced by botanists worldwide. Leading contributors include Amicus Foundation, The Gardener Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Carlyle A. Luer, The Stone Foundation and more. To learn more about the Selby Gardens new master site plan, follow the link below. 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Master Site Plan

The Sleep Inn / MainStay Suites duel-concept hotel set to open in June 2018 has announced two key positions which will lead the opening of the new 86-room hotel. Nicholas Mavrikas has been named hotel director and Laurie Pike has been hired as director of sales and marketing for the property. The two new hotels, which will be adjoined and share multiple guest amenities will be managed by Millersburg, Ohio-based Nivea Hospitality. The hotels, located near Interstate 75 and Fruitville Road, will share a tropical-style zero-entry pool, breakfast social room, Executive Board room, fitness center and sophisticated two-story lobby. In addition, Nivea Hospitality plans to build an adjacent Comfort Inn & Suites featuring 110 suites and rooms with an opening date scheduled for February 2019. 

Nivea Hospitality

The housing crisis is a growing issue, not just for the United States but for the world. Giveback Homes, real estate’s social good movement, has named Maria Rocha, realtor at Keller Williams on the Water Sarasota as a 2018 Advocate for Social Good. This distinction is given to prominent individuals within the real estate community who have demonstrated their commitment to giving back and pursuing the goal of safe and secure housing for all, and are eager to do more. The Advocate program is a select group of Giveback Homes members who each had to apply by describing what the future of Giveback Homes looked like to them. Some of their answers included, educational seminars about home ownership, meeting with Congress, referral programs and partnering with more nonprofits. The Advocates are dedicated to amplifying Giveback Homes initiatives, promoting new membership opportunities, and leading initiatives in their community. The Advocates will meet once a quarter to strategize on social good projects and mobilize other industry professionals through their engagement. 

Keller Williams on the Water Sarasota