The Saravela condominium development in downtown Sarasota is generating fresh attention with a new marketing push offering buyers a complimentary one-year membership to TPC Prestancia Golf Club. The partnership adds a lifestyle component—access to golf, fitness, dining, and social amenities—aimed at attracting second-home and out-of-market buyers.

At the same time, the project remains part of a broader community discussion over short-term rental models in downtown Sarasota. Questions persist about how Saravela’s proposed rental flexibility aligns with city regulations, with officials continuing to evaluate appropriate guidelines for similar developments.

Together, these developments highlight both the evolving luxury market strategy and the ongoing policy considerations shaping Sarasota’s downtown growth.

The proposed luxury condominium tower at 1260 N. Palm Avenue remains in limbo after the Sarasota City Commission denied the project in 2025, citing concerns over its height, design, and compatibility with neighboring buildings such as Bay Plaza. The developer has since initiated a state mediation process under Florida law (FLUEDRA) in an effort to reach a settlement that could allow a revised version of the project to move forward.

While discussions are ongoing, no agreement has been finalized, and the City Commission is not obligated to approve any mediated outcome. The project’s future will hinge on whether a compromise can be reached that addresses both neighborhood concerns and the developer’s plans.

Work on developing an updated Downtown Master Plan, which began in March of last year, reached an important milestone at last week's ad hoc committee meeting. Following an initial evaluation on March 24, the selection committee convened for final interviews on April 1 and voted to recommend moving forward with MKSK as the city's planning consultant.

MKSK presented a comprehensive approach to downtown planning built around community engagement, data analysis, and stakeholder collaboration. The firm drew on experience in comparable projects in cities including Toledo and Decatur, with an emphasis on resiliency, transportation, and economic development.

Contract negotiations with MKSK are anticipated to begin in mid-April, with the hope of finalizing engagement details soon thereafter. Planning General Manager Ryan Chapdelain indicated that staff are now targeting the May 18 City Commission meeting to bring both the proposal and contract before the commission for approval. A full master plan committee meeting with the consultant is anticipated in mid-June, marking the formal launch of the planning process.

Notably, of the three firms originally shortlisted for consideration, only MKSK advanced to the final interview stage. When a committee member asked why the other two firms had withdrawn, Procurement General Manager Renee Hayes indicated she was bound by solicitation requirements that prevented her from disclosing the reasons, saying she could not disclose the reasons for either withdrawal and could only confirm that they had occurred.

It appears the next public consideration of the MKSK proposal will come before the City Commission in mid-May. Residents can expect more opportunities for community input as the project moves forward. Stay tuned for updates.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 9, 2021

DSCA Condo Members to Discuss Building Inspections

The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association (DSCA) and its members send our thoughts to those in Surfside, FL affected by the tragic building collapse.

Downtown Sarasota condos spend over $60 million per year in operating expenses that includes regular building maintenance and reserve fees for major maintenance projects including structural inspections for repairs.

The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association also includes associate members (commercial companies) who provide much of the necessary information and services to help our condo boards and property managers stay informed in best practices for condo maintenance. These associate members participate actively in regular DSCA meetings and host educational workshops on a host of topics, including building maintenance, insurance, the functions of association boards, etc.

A survey of our members released today indicates 100% of the 32-condominiums/townhouses participating in our survey require a reserve study at least every 3-years, with over 20% requiring a reserve study annually. Reserve studies are sometimes accompanied by a report from a licensed, structural engineer as to the integrity of the building and recommendations for repairs. However, such Engineering or structural reports are not required by state or local municipalities, including the City of Sarasota.

To help facilitate the discussion of what requirements for inspections currently exist or should be considered, the DSCA board today confirmed its plan to host a roundtable forum on multi-unit residential building maintenance and inspections. Such a forum will be organized on a priority basis in combination with our Associate members. The DSCA communication team will be reaching out with updates on the plan for this important event to our news list in the very near future.

About DSCA

The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association (DSCA) is a non-profit 501(c)(4) membership organization comprised of condominium/townhome associations and commercial associate businesses in greater downtown Sarasota.  DSCA was founded in 1998 as the Bayfront Condominium Association Inc., and represents over 40 condominium associations.  The mission of DSCA is to actively advocate for the collective interests of its members for a vibrant and safe downtown Sarasota.  The greater downtown Sarasota currently has over 6,000 residential units with over 12,000 residents, is projected to grow to near 15,000 residents in the coming 5-6 years.

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Download PDF: DSCA Condo Inspection PressRelease-20210707a

July 10th, 2021

SARASOTA, Fla., January 26, 2020 – Marie Selby Botanical Gardens today released details of a new compromise Master Site Plan, including a number of significant changes made to address concerns.

After more than 40 hours of public input at hearings last fall and, more recently, at follow-up meetings with the community, three recurring concerns were voiced: the height of the parking structure and operation of a planned public restaurant being incongruous with the City’s comprehensive plan, noise from the planned restaurant, and the potential for increased traffic. Selby Gardens’ compromise Master Plan cuts the parking structure’s overall height by 40% and no longer seeks a change to the City’s comprehensive plan; reduces the size of the planned restaurant from 185 to a maximum of 110 seats; and limits the restaurant’s hours of operation to mirror the Gardens’ hours to cut down on noise and traffic from non-Gardens patrons.

“The Master Plan continues to be a vital chance to transform and realize the full potential of our beloved gardens, while also preserving our important history,” said Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Selby Gardens. “I’m thrilled to say we think even after downsizing the restaurant size and hours of operation, we believe the

February 3rd, 2020

REMINDER: New Traffic Shift, Detour began Nov. 25 for US-41 Fruitville Road intersection

Detours began Nov. 25 for the US 41-Fruitville Road Roundabout.  The two changes involve left turns: (1) No SB US 41 to EB Fruitville Rd – Southbound US 41 traffic will not be able to turn left at Fruitville Rd.  This will be in effect throughout much of the year-long construction project. Recommended detour: EB on 10th Street then SB on Lemon Ave. to Fruitville Rd.  If you miss 10th Street, the next best opportunity to go eastbound will be Ringling Blvd. (2) No NB US 41 to WB Boulevard of the Arts – Northbound US 41 traffic to westbound Boulevard of the Arts will be restricted.  U-turns will not be permitted.  This left turn lane is expected to be restored in late January 2020. Recommended detour: WB on 10th Street then SB on Van Wezel Way to Boulevard of the Arts Additional note:  The left turn eastbound movement coming off the Ringling Bridge and Gulfstream Ave. to northbound US 41 will be reduced from three lanes to two. Electronic message boards are being strategically placed along US 41 to give drivers advance notice about the traffic changes. Beginning mid-January 2020 through July 2020, WB Fruitville Rd will be closed at Cocoanut Ave. For the latest information visit www.US41FruitvilleRoundabout.com  On the homepage, you can register to receive email updates directly into your inbox.

Sarasota in motion...

The City of Sarasota is preparing its first citywide transportation master plan, which will serve as a playbook for how the City not only invests in transportation infrastructure, but also how it achieves the community’s larger quality of life goals.  City staff are working to gather input to address major traffic and transportation issues in the City of Sarasota:

• How can streets be safer?
• How can we improve the reliability of travel time to work, particularly as we grow?
• How can we expand travel options so more people can walk, bike, or take transit?
• How do we plan for a future with autonomous vehicles and other new transportation technology?

Learn about the status of the transportation master plan by reviewing survey results, reports and presentations.  You can also view the Interactive Map (example below) to see where other persons have recorded their experience challenges in the mobility network, and where they think improvements should be prioritized.

The community is invited to learn about the Lemon Avenue Streetscape project during an open house with City of Sarasota staff Monday, Dec.17 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the SRQ Media Studio in the City Hall Annex, 1565 First Street.

NewsRelease_Lemon Ave. Streetscape Open House Set for Dec. 17..

DSCA Board authorized a letter which was sent to City Commissioners and City Staff Management on Nov. 27, 2018.

Honorable Mayor Liz Alpert & Commissioners

1565 1st Street, Room 101
Sarasota, FL 34236

Ref: Lemon Avenue Streetscape Project

Dear Mayor Alpert, & Commissioners,

The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association (DSCA) at its November 7, 2018 Board Meeting unanimously adopted the following motion concerning the proposed improvements on Lemon Avenue.

“RESOLVED: Before the City Commission’s final approval of the Lemon Avenue Streetscape Project, the DSCA Board urges additional research by City staff to find alternative solution to removing canopy trees on Lemon Avenue; in accordance with City’s Downtown Greenspace Policy, Tree Protection Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan.”

The Board of DSCA has reviewed preliminary information (only verbal reports and a conceptual drawing appear to be publicly available) about the proposed Lemon Avenue Streetscape Project.  We are very concerned about reports that City staff are planning to remove all of the existing canopy trees (Live Oaks) along Lemon Avenue from 1^st Street to State Street, and replace them with Royal Palms.

This apparent radical change in the Lemon Avenue streetscape does not appear to be in concert with several City Commission adopted ordinances, Downtown Master Plan, Downtown Green Space Policy, and Comprehensive Plan.  The Downtown Green Space Policy(attached – adopted Feb. 7, 2011) specifically identified the priority of canopy trees over palm trees.

DSCA-CityCommission Letter LemonAveStreetscape-20181127-signed

The following are some of the facts and concerns which are not widely known and should receive further public review and discussion:

• City staff plan to remove 27 existing Live Oak trees along Lemon Avenue because “the trees are doing poorly”.
• Contrary to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code and Downtown Green Space Policy, City staff plan to replace Live Oak canopy trees with Royal Palms.
• Royal Palms reach heights up to 80 ft, which will not provide shade for sidewalk pedestrians.
• Royal Palm large fronds (up to 15 ft, 80 lbs) falling 80 feet are a hazard to pedestrians & cars.
• Downtown Sarasota Condo Association has requested City staff to find alternative solution to replacing canopy trees with palms on Lemon Avenue.
• The soil around existing trees needs to be loosened & amended to enable healthier tree roots.

Save Our Shade-20181215

 

Please attend the Lemon Ave Streetscape Open House and/or send your comments requesting the city to Save Our Shade to:

LemonAveStreetscape@SarasotaFL.Gov

Patrick Gannon

President, DSCA

Downtown.Sarasota.Condo.Assoc@gmail.com

We Are Downtown Sarasota – Residential Neighborhood

December 15th, 2018

• Why Do People Keep Being Killed on This Road?  by Charles Marohn | December 10, 2018
  

Tragedy predictably occurs when our road designs combine high speeds and randomness.

 

• Three Cheers for Minneapolis (The 3 is for Triplex)  by Daniel Herriges | December 12, 2018
  

Minneapolis just became the first major U.S. city in a long time to embrace a key Strong Towns principle: every neighborhood should be allowed to evolve to the next increment of development.

 

• If We Win, You Won’t Hear About It  by Daniel Herriges | December 5, 2018
  

If Strong Towns is successful—really successful—you won’t hear about it, because the vast majority of the change we produce won’t be attributed to us at all. It will be embedded in the broader culture.

 

• Let Them Apply for Variances  by Nolan Gray | December 6, 2018
  

If granting exceptions to your city’s planning rules is so common as to have become the norm, perhaps it’s time to reconsider the rules themselves.

 

• Best of 2018: Why Walkable Streets are More Economically Productive  by Rachel Quednau | December 4, 2018
  

When we aim for perfection, imperfections will disturb us. But, when we aim for imperfection, other imperfections build character.

December 15th, 2018

The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association (DSCA) has been a Stakeholder and supporter of the Bayfront 20:20 planning initiative since its early planning in 2014.  DSCA helped financially to fund the Stakeholder initiative and has provided feedback to the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization (SBPO) and The Bayplanning team through the Stakeholder organization.  It is the position of the DSCA Board that The Bay project should continue to move forward after delivery of The Bay Conceptual Master Plan on September 6, 2018.

The DSCA Board supports continuing the efforts to plan, fund, and implement The Bay project following the six Guiding Principle approved by the City Commission and recommends the following actions:

1. Transitioning the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization, Inc. (SBPO), a 501(c)(3) from its planning organization purpose to a conservancy 501 (c)(3) purpose that will be assigned the responsibility of protecting the public interest (including lease development and lease management) of the City owned 53 acre park parcel, zoned Government Use, known as The Bay;
2. Endorsing the non-binding conceptual The Bay Master Plan, dated September 6, 2018, which will be further refined to incorporate the vision of City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan, as amended and made part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan;
3. Approving The Bay Phase 1 Master Plan, dated September 6, 2018; and
4. Granting the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization, and its successor conservancy organization, the direction and authority to proceed with fundraising, planning, and implementation activities for The Bay Project Phase 1.

Therefore, the DSCA Board urges the Sarasota City Commission to favorably consider the foregoing recommended actions and approve moving The Bay project forward at the September 6, 2018, special City Commission meeting at City Hall.

DSCA_Letter_TheBayProject-signed-20180906

September 6th, 2018