Newsletter 51

OUR PARADISE IS FILLING UP QUICKLY: The Sarasota metropolitan area once again figured among America’s 20 fastest-growing urban areas, clinching the 11th spot on the list by adding enough new residents last year to create another city the size of Venice (Fla), according to new census figures. In a population spike reminiscent of the time before the most-recent housing downturn, the metro region defined by Sarasota and Manatee counties swelled by an estimated 20,123 people between mid-2014 and mid-2015, for a growth rate of 2.7%. People are moving in droves to the Sunshine State. Of the fastest-growing urban areas nationwide, six belong to Florida – the most of any state. For more on this story, courtesy of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, please click on the link: Sarasota ranks 11th in US for growth

LAKEWOOD RANCH EXPANDING SOUTHWARD: The villages are coming – at last. Delayed by nearly 15 years of political and legal battles, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch – developers of the 48-square-mile Lakewood Ranch – broke ground this month on its long-anticipated villages development. Waterside, formerly called The Villages of Lakewood Ranch South, becomes SMR’s first residential development in Sarasota County. Tucked on 5,490 acres, Waterside is to be a New Urbanist-style community of 12 interconnected, walkable neighborhoods. There’s more on this story here: LWR expansion

LONGBOAT KEY BEACH RENOURISHMENT: The work has begun at the former Colony resort on Longboat Key to begin the first segment of a much-anticipated project to bolster more that two miles of the key’s eroded beaches. The project will add more than 600,000 cubic yards of sand to some of the most eroded areas of the island’s center and far ends. Cost for the project is $15 million to $18 million. The spot at the Colony is the first of four areas along the center of the island to receive sand trucked onto the key from a mine in Immokalee, and is expected to be completed in mid-May. Please click here for a short video: LBK beach renourishment begins

COURTING THE BRAVES: The Atlanta Braves and local leaders have been negotiating to bring the team to a proposed new $100 million spring training complex in North Port (40 minutes south of Sarasota) since last summer. The plan – still the subject of closed-door negotiations – would include a 7,500 seat stadium, practice fields and ancillary training facilities on 100 to 150 acres in the heart of the planned West Villages commercial district. Plans also include development of 11,000 acres, 20,000 residences and 3 million square feet of commercial space. Follow the jump for more: Built around baseball

MARINE INDUSTRY FEELS ECONOMIC TAILWIND: oat sales were strong in 2015, and dealers remained optimistic Friday during the kickoff for the 34th annual Suncoast Boat Show. By Friday afternoon, Sarasota’s Visage Group had already sold three vessels, which more than covers the shows exhibit fee. Meanwhile, Sarasota Yacht & Ship has been breaking sale records each year since 2012, and also had made a sale just hours into the event. Life has returned to the industry, which saw the Great Recession suck the wind from it’s sails. More than 10,000 people were expected to tour the 200-boat display during the coarse of the three-day show. There’s more here: Suncoast Boat Show

MOTE DIPS NET INTO CANAL FISH SURVEY: Mote Marine researchers are conducting the first scientific survey of fish in the canals of Sarasota. The question is how these drainage ditches, which were built for flood control, might be enhanced to benefit fisheries and add to the natural beauty of Sarasota County. Recommendations for the canal system could include everything from building small pools to adding marshy plants and shade trees. There are more than 100 miles of canals that drain into Phillippi Creek and Sarasota Bay. There’s more here: Estuary program