Williams Parker has announced that several of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 25th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. The attorneys named to the 2019 list include Charles D. Bailey, Jr. (Land Use and Zoning), John T. Berteau (Trusts and Estates), Ric Gregoria (Trusts and Estates), Michele B. Grimes (Real Estate Law), J. Michael Hartenstine (Real Estate Law), Patrick W. Ryskamp (Real Estate Law), William M. Seider (Real Estate Law), James L. Turner (Real Estate Law and Trusts and Estates), and E. John Wagner, II (Tax Law). Additionally, Mr. Bailey and Mr. Wagner have been recognized as 2019 "Lawyer of the Year" recipients, an honor which recognizes individual attorneys with the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Selection to Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than six million confidential evaluations by attorneys across the country. 

Williams Parker

Local construction management firm, Firmo Construction, known for their work with the Circle House and the Warm Mineral Springs Resort, is delighted to announce its latest project. The company will be creating build-outs for multiple new businesses in the growing Rosemary District of Downtown Sarasota in partnership with well-known community figures, such as Mark Kauffman and Red Property Management. Aiming for completion in fall 2018, Firmo is working closely with business owners within the new Rosemary Square building to construct the spaces they envision. The build-outs will include spaces for Pura Vie Spa, Wonder Cake Creations, and The Sarasota Ballet. 

With ambitious project scheduling and coordination, as well as a push in production for a swift turnaround, Firmo has worked closely with each business to provide tailored solutions to unique problems, such as reduction in sound transmission for quiet studio spaces. The addition of the building is a small part of revitalization efforts occurring in the Rosemary District, and Firmo Construction is excited to contribute and collaborate with local figures like Jonathan Parks of Solstice Architecture for some of the build-outs. 

Firmo Construction

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Board of Trustees has secured a 10-year contract ensuring the long-term commitment of its top leadership position, as Chief Executive Officer and President Jennifer O. Rominiecki of Selby Gardens has signed a contract extending her appointment for the next decade. Rominiecki’s successes over the last three years—including overhauling Selby Gardens’ fundraising, business operating model and setting a vision for its future—were cited by the board as leading indicators in their decision to enact the contract. Since Rominiecki enacted the Gardens’ “living museum” operating model in 2015, which delivers a series of rotating, original exhibitions and events to encourage repeat visitation, the institution’s overall earned revenues have increased by 59 percent, admissions has increased by 47 percent and membership has grown by 60 percent. 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce has announced openings for its next Engage Sarasota class. Engage Sarasota is a community orientation program for anyone who is eager to establish business and civic relationships, meet area leaders and fast-track their knowledge about the inner working of greater Sarasota—all with a minimum investment of time and money. Participants will have the opportunity to: broaden their working knowledge and understanding of the community via a monthly luncheon series with targeted topics at each program; acquaint themselves with formal and informal decision-making channels and local leaders; and connect topics and meet people who will enrich their lives as businesspersons and residents. Registration is now open. 

Engage Sarasota

This past weekend, Manatee County has expanded its red tide cleanup, becoming one of Florida's first Gulf Coast counties to extend efforts to smaller canals and waterways where fish have begun to foul local waters. Over the weekend, the County and its contractor surveyed local waterways to evaluate the areas needing cleanup and to form an action plan. The vendor will begin cleaning the most affected areas today. Manatee County Parks and Property Maintenance crews have cleaned public beaches and parks in Anna Maria since the first signs of red tide. To date 151 tons of red tide-related waste has been removed from public beaches and parks. As of this weekend, a red tide hotline will be staffed from 8am to 5pm, seven days a week, as conditions persist. Residents can call with questions about red tide and the cleanup operations. The red tide hotline number is (941) 749-3547. More details will be available during a red tide update to Commissioners on Tuesday. 

Manatee County Government

Small business owners affected by red tide in Sarasota and Manatee counties can now qualify for a bridge loan of up to $50,000 from the state, money that could mean the difference in keeping doors open at some establishments.

“In overcoming disaster events, each day that passes, the likelihood of businesses closing goes up and up,” says Michael Myhre, CEO of the Florida Small Business Development Center. But federal funding for businesses often won’t come for weeks or months after an event like to recent red tide blooms in the Gulf of Mexico.

That’s why the state opened its Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program up to counties recently impacted by algal blooms. 

Businesses in counties impacted by blue-green algae coming into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers thanks to water discharged from Lake Okeechobee became eligible for such loans on July 9. But as those blooms released nutrients into estuaries and the Gulf, feeding more explosive blooms, Gov. Rick Scott also declared a state of emergency in seven counties impacted by red tide, including Sarasota and Manatee.

Ann Frescura, executive director of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, says the red tide blooms have hit businesses on the islands at a time of year when traffic already slows to a trickle. “Traffic on the beach is reduced, and that in turn affects all of the shops, restaurants and bars,” she said. Hotels have reported cancellations as well. “It’s affecting everyone in our community,” Frescura says.

To get bridge loans, Myrhe says businesses must demonstrate an impact on their vitality cause, whether that’s physical damage to their business or economic damage demonstrated whether through year-over-year financials, reservation losses or other documentable means. The program is open to companies with more than two but fewer than 100 employees.

It’s the same program that helped many companies here last year in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

Frescura notes the loan programs are interest-free—an incentive to use them. But officials also reminded people to remember this is a loan, not a grant.

In the meantime, Frescura says island businesses have also worked hard to educate consumers and visitors that there’s still reason to visit Siesta Key and other area destinations. Live camera stream images online let people know the state of beaches at any point. “We’re trying to remain positive and pull together,” she says. 

Seaward Development has assembled an award-winning team to design and build EPOCH, a boutique condominium of just 22 original residences. Patrick DiPinto III and David D.R. Hargreaves, Seaward Development’s principals, are creating a building that reflects the architectural history of Sarasota while taking full advantage of the sweeping views of Sarasota Bay. The design team includes the international architecture and planning firm of Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolf & Associates, DWY Landscape Architects and B. Pila Designs. Sales are being handled exclusively by Ocean Real Estate. Gilbane Building Company has been chosen as the general contractor for the downtown condominium project. EPOCH’s exterior is a nod to the Sarasota School of Architecture, with expansive terraces and large overhangs designed to underscore the play of light and shadow. The interior design carries through the midcentury aesthetic and the exterior amenities will include a 70’ lap pool, an entertainment area, intimate gathering spaces and a view of Sarasota Bay on display from every residence through expansive walls of glass. 

Seaward Development