SRQ DAILY Jun 19, 2021
"When comparing to a more normal April 2019 sales transactions this year were 40 percent higher, indicating that this year’s growth is truly impressive."
What started as an emergency way to save our restaurants and retail shops has the world rethinking walkability and how we look at urban streets. Globally, café terraces that took over parking spaces arising out of COVID-19 necessity, have become a new option for urban communities.
On April 29, 2020, Governor DeSantis announced that in five days, the State of Florida would begin to open up for business. Many local governments around the state, whether they imposed more local restrictions or not, had an opening task force comprised of government staff, businesses and non-profits who were coordinating together and planning for the opening for weeks. These task force committees had prepared for this very moment and had immediately implemented collaborative plans that included relieving and relaxing permitting, allowing for the use of right-of-ways, allowing for unpermitted signs and allowing for the use of tents on a long-term basis.
Unfortunately, we had no such committees locally. However, the business organizations coalesced immediately through COBA, the Coalition of Business Associations, and wrote letters to the County and the cities of Sarasota, Venice and North Port asking them to implement parts of the plans that other governments across the state had partnered with their communities on. COBA had varying degrees of success depending upon the government.
One item that was implemented in the County, the City of Sarasota and City of North Port, was the use of parking spots for dining and retail. This helped restaurants, in particular, and was very successful on Main Street in Sarasota. Now frequently called “cafe terraces,” this phenomena has opened eyes to possibilities and a new way to expand sidewalks, without physically constructing new sidewalks.
An article published this week in Bloomberg City Lab details how Paris, France has opted to keep these terraces and is offering terrace choices for businesses to apply for. Businesses can apply for seasonal terraces or annual terraces which operate year-round.
With these terraces come rules and benefits, like the freeing up of more sidewalk space in exchange for the terrace and more space for ADA accessibility. According to the Bloomberg article, there are noise protections for residents in the form of an evening time limit terrace usage and no music.
Yes, there is a reduction of parking spots available with these terraces, and yes, in the case of the City of Sarasota, a loss of direct parking income with their parking meters. However, there will also be an increase in sales tax collected on the food served and goods sold in these terraces. It is more of an economic investment for the expansion of the economy than a loss in parking revenue. What can’t be measured is the increase in the quality of life in terms of walkability.
Café terraces will be considered as an option in local government codes and governments around the world. It’s a discussion worth having when considering walkability and economic benefits. We encourage local governments to be flexible and forward-thinking in their codes and consider this a new option as part of their tool kit to improve quality of life and the economy.
Christine Robinson is executive director of The Argus Foundation. 
Photo courtesy of Element: Steak Seafood Pasta and it's new outdoor seating on Main Street
The Sarasota Real Estate Market recorded a more than 80% increase in sales of existing single-family homes and condominiums in April than were recorded in April 2020. And inventory at the end of April was almost 75% lower – a loss of more than 3,000 properties available for sale.
As last April we were experiencing lockdown resulting from the rapid spread of COVID, much of our data will show some remarkable aberrations. However, when comparing to a more normal April 2019 sales transactions this year were 40% higher, indicating that this year’s growth is truly impressive.
Prices have also continued their record-breaking rise. The median price for an existing single-family home in the Sarasota Real Estate Market is now $380,000, and condos come in at $310,000, both at over 20% higher than last year’s median.
Pending sales in April were also strong – almost 20% higher than 2019 – indicating that closings over the next few months will reflect incredible growth over last year.
The upsurge in sales and prices and contraction of inventory is not just a result of the market’s near shut-down during the early months of the pandemic, it was also triggered by the demand that has been created from buyers seeking refuge from high-tax and densely populated cities and states, as well as those accelerating their future plans to relocate and/or retire to our region.
While new listings in April were much greater than during last year’s market pause and 23% more than 2019, they were still well short of the pace of sales and pending sales. With an inventory of existing properties at a level less than one month’s buyer demand, the market conditions continue to strongly favor sellers.
Our traditionally softer summer selling season is shaping up to be anything but! I encourage any home or condo owners considering a sale to think about this high-demand period as an ideal time to list their property. These extraordinarily competitive buyer conditions for Sarasota Real Estate will not last forever – so why wait!
And if you are a buyer in this most unique market, it is crucial that you have an expert realtor at your side. Never-before have we seen a rush of showings lined up even before the MLS listing ink is dry! Offers are made while customers or their realtors are still on site and sellers are receiving some of the most unusual contingency waivers and additional deal sweeteners.
Though a rushed decision is required to buy a prime property today, the risks of eliminating certain conditions to close are high. Having an experienced representative to ensure your interests are being carefully managed cannot be overstated.
As you consider your real estate goals for the year ahead, having valuable insight and guidance from a skilled real estate professional is vital. With decades of experience managing hundreds of buying and selling transactions, analyzing, and experiencing the Sarasota Real Estate Market’s variability, my knowledge throughout the region can help.
Whether looking to relocate to a new neighborhood, considering upsizing or downsizing, or adding to your real estate portfolio, I would be happy to discuss your next steps with you.
Michael Moulton is a Realtor with Michael Saunders & Company.
The Kids Summer Beach Runs are one mile beach runs held every Tuesday (through July 27) at Siesta Beach on Siesta Key near the pavilion, and every Wednesday (through July 28) at Brohard Beach (1600 Harbor Drive) next to the Venice Fishing Pier, near Fins at Sharky's, Venice. This one-mile fun run for kids is a summer favorite and a great opportunity for families to exercise together and have fun at the beach! Weekly registration begins at 5:30 pm with race time at 6:30 pm. Kids receive a participation ribbon at each run. Complete four runs and earn a free custom t-shirt. The runs are a popular summer event combining exercise and fun. Ages 1 - 17. 948 Beach Rd., Sarasota
Siesta Beach, Venice Beach
The Skyway 2020 exhibition, now in its second iteration, is a celebration of artistic practices in the Tampa Bay region, as it is a collaboration between four institutions: the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota; the Tampa Museum of Art; and the University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum, Tampa. Working together, curators from each institution will offer context for the diversity of art being made in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. Artworks and projects in the exhibition will be selected by museum curators and the guest juror, Claire Tancons, an independent curator and scholar whose practice takes a global focus on the conditions of cultural production. Tancons has curated biennials around the world, including Prospect.1, New Orleans; the 2008 Gwangju Biennial; and the 2019 Sharjah Biennial. This exhibit will begin on June 20, 2021 and will end on October 3, 2021. Runs from 10am to 5pm.
The Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road
Two of St. Petersburg’s best events, St. Pete Pride and The SHINE Mural Festival have come together to produce Once Upon A Shine: A Gay Mural Scavenger Hunt as part of this year’s Pride festivities. The event features freeFall Theatre’s award-winning actor and drag performer, Matthew McGee, as a fairy godmother providing clues to the whereabouts of Cinderella’s lost stiletto. Retrace her steps from mural to mural while deciphering clues using the free PixelStix app. The scavenger hunt can be completed anytime during Pride’s Arts & Music week, starting Saturday June 12 and ending Saturday June 19. Plan for 2-3 hours of mural hunting and social media challenges. Individuals or teams (up to 6 people) can compete to find the lost stiletto and be entered to win the grand prize, a 2 night stay at the new Tru by Hilton on Central Avenue. Every person that completes the scavenger hunt is eligible to receive $1 off a beer at Grand Central Brewhouse (21+) and a free yoga class at The Body Electric Yoga Company. Plus, SHINE is giving away other great prizes for the best photos and videos posted on social media with the hashtag #OnceUponAShine. Visit the website to see a full list of prizes, details and to register: www.stpeteartsalliance.org/PRIDE. Participants must download the free PixelStix app on iPhone or Android phone to play. This event is sponsored by Artistry St. Pete Apartments & Regions Bank. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, this event is free to the public but donations are encouraged to support the creation of more murals during this year’s SHINE Mural Festival, October 15-24, 2021. Donations can be made online
Sarasota Contemporary Dance presents Jennifer Nugent both in-person and virtually. In-Person on June 18 and 19, 2021 at 7pm. Masks are required. Seating is limited at half capacity. Please book in advance to secure a spot. Tickets are $20. Ticket purchases close 30 minutes before the show. Virtual on June 18, 2021 at 7pm LIVE Stream and June 19, 2021 at 7pm Broadcast Recording. Tickets are choose what you pay, $5, $10, $15. Ticket purchases close 30 minutes before the show. Jennifer is originally from Hollywood, Florida, and has been living and working in New York City since 1998. Her practices are profoundly inspired by Daniel Lepkoff, Wendell Beavers, Patty Townsend, Thomas F. DeFrantz, and Paul Matteson. Through performing and teaching she aims to nurture the proposition of physicality as a theoretical and complex language that resides inside a rejuvenating container of possibility. Jennifer continues to augment these practices through sharing and refining ideas in front of others—a transmission of spoken and gestural language. Since living in NYC Jennifer has performed most notably with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company (NYC 2009-2014), Paul Matteson (NYC 2002-2020), David Dorfman Dance from (NYC 1999-2007), and Martha Clarke (NYC 2007-2008). In 2019 Jennifer received an MFA in Dance from The University of the Arts, Philadelphia. She is currently a teaching artist at Gibney Dance (NYC), Sarah Lawrence College, (NY), and the virtual platform freeskewl where she hosts a monthly series called pedagogy/poetic entry.
In this Alfred Hitchcock classic from 1964, kleptomaniac Marnie Edgar—who moves from job to job and has a pathological fear of the color red—is caught stealing by her latest employer Mark Rutland. Instead of turning her over to the police, Mark forces Marnie to marry him, convinced that he can get to the bottom of her psychosis. Starring Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery, and Martin Gabel. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes. This film will show on Saturday, June 19 at 7:30pm. All seating is reserved at 50% capacity of the theater. Masks are required for those who are not vaccinated and recommended for all others. Tickets are $10 and buyers are encouraged to purchase tickets before arriving at the theater. Information and tickets can be found online at SarasotaOpera.org or by calling (941) 328-1300.
Our Environmental Science Scout Merit Badge has gone virtual. Join us on June 19 from 1pm to 3pm as we review the badge workbook and explore the concepts with some demonstrations. Your registration confirmation email will contain your workbook and a guide containing a list of household materials to gather to be used in a few hands-on activities. All merit badge requirements will be completed during this workshop. Your child's safety is our priority. These programs are run via a secure Zoom webinar, and your child's personal identifiers will be kept private. Video and audio will be turned off for all participants. Participants will be able to interact with Mote Educators via the moderated chatroom and messages will only be seen by Mote staff. This is an interactive program. Your child will be able to participate in Polls, ask questions in the Q&A space that are answered live by our Educators, and follow along from home with the activities and demonstrations during this virtual program.
Join Sommelier Austin Harlow and award-winning Chef Greg Campbell for a Tour of California, an exclusive, one-time event at GROVE! This immersive five-course wine dinner will feature the best wines from select regions paired with locally sourced ingredients to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
Grove Restaurant , 10670 Boardwalk Loop
Building on the success of last month's free pet vaccination microchip and licensing clinic for Manatee County pet owners, Manatee County Animal Services MCAS will host two more free vet vaccination clinics later this month. The free clinics were made possible through a $10,000 donation from the Manatee Community Foundation. District 4 County Commissioner Misty Servia will join MCAS for a pet vaccination event on June 19 from 9am to noon at the Trailer Estates Clubhouse, 1903 69th Ave. W. in Bradenton. Pet owners are asked to register online for the June 19 event here. Space is limited to the first 200 pets. District 2 County Commissioner Commissioner Reggie Bellamy will join MCAS for a pet vaccination event on Wednesday, June 23 from 4pm to 7pm at Manatee County Animal Services, 305 25th Street West, Palmetto. Pet owners are asked to register online for the June 23 event here. Space is limited to the first 200 pets. Free services offered include: Vaccines (rabies and distemper), Microchip (with pet registration), and Manatee County Annual Pet License. For more information on the free pet clinics, visit www.mymanatee.org/petclinic. Dogs must be leashed and non-aggressive. Cats must be in a secure carrier and pet owners must provide a driver’s license or state ID.
The Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program is proud to announce a partnership with Impact100 SRQ and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity to host a food drive at Nathan Benderson Park on Saturday June 19, 2021. The event will be held in the parking lot with drive-through and drop-off available from 9 AM to 12 PM. Members of the community are encouraged to donate both perishable and nonperishable food items during that time.
Impact 100 SRQ, Mayors' Feed the Hungry, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
Too many community members are still contending with the economic fallout from COVID-19. In its continued efforts to help those who are struggling to put food on the table, All Faiths Food Bank - in partnership with Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and The Bay Sarasota - will hold a large-scale food distribution at Van Wezel on Saturday, from 9-11 AM. Additionally, J&J vaccinations will be available, thanks to the Sarasota County Health Department and regional coalition Shots in Arms; the first 100 to be vaccinated will receive gift cards.
All Faiths Food Bank, Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, The Bay Sarasota , 777 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota
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