Newsletter 68
Dear friends,
After nearly eight months of drought conditions, the skies have opened and this month the Sunshine State can be referred to as the Rainy State. Water-use restrictions are still in effect, however it’s a pleasant change from a few weeks ago. It’s incredible to witness brown dead-appearing grass to become lush and green practically overnight.
We hope that this ushers in our summer weather patterns, where rainfall is a regular occurrence. Of course, we hope that the weather remains calm through the summer and fall.
Although it’s unfortunate for our visitors who are hoping for perfect beach weather, it’s important to replenish the water tables. The water tables and area reservoirs were dangerously low and mother nature has topped them up.
We are proud to be accredited members of the National Home Watch Association (NWHA). Our bonded and insured services offer peace of mind to our clients. We take great pride in maintaining and enhancing their homes in paradise.
We are here year-long to assist our clients with the maintenance of their homes on the Suncoast.
Visit our website for more information on our services and how we can help: Suncoast Home Concierge
SIESTA IS #1 AGAIN: For the second time in seven years, Siesta Beach has earned the equivalent of an Oscar: the #1 Beach in America. The beautiful stretch of white sand – known the world over for its glittering white quartz crystals – previously won the award from Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman in 2011, a distinction that likely drew thousands of tourists to the region who might not have visited Sarasota County and the broad region. He praised Siesta Key for $21 million in renovations that improved the beach experience. Leatherman specifically complimented the beach for its expanded parking and bus service that brings visitors to the beach for free. Siesta Beach has also been ranked #1 by TripAdvisor in 2015 and 2017. Please click here for more on this story, courtesy of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Siesta is #1
HIGHER VALUES BOOST TAX BASE: Property values in Sarasota County are expected to return to their 2008 pre-Great Recession levels this year for the first time since the economic downturn, according to the latest government appraisals. On the back of a billion-dollar construction rebound not seen in a decade, the county’s taxable value is expected to rise more than 8.1% this year to more than $54.5 billion. Values also increased within each of the county’s municipalities, marking the fourth straight year of clockwork-like growth almost identical to the increases the two previous years, according to data from the county property appraiser. Follow the jump for more on this story: Climbing Taxable Values
A BUILDING PROBLEM: The Southwest Florida construction industry added 1,700 jobs in April, a nearly 8% annual growth rate that ranked as the fastest among all employment sectors. But for local builders – that’s not enough. “It’s a drop in the bucket,” said Jon Mast, CEO of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association. “The region is still struggling. The builders don’t have enough labor.” The labor shortage has affected residential and commercial construction for some time. Some of the subcontractors who perform most of the labor at construction sites – from carpenters to plumbers to drywall installers – say they cannot find the manpower to handle the surge of homes, condominiums, apartments, hotels and retail projects under way or planned. Please click here for more: Labor Shortage
BEST EVER APRIL FOR SARASOTA TOURISM: Sarasota County had the strong April ever for tourism, officials said recently. The county saw a 3.8% increase in visitors when compared with the same month in 2016, according to Virginia Haley, president of Visit Sarasota County. Occupancy jumped to 78.7% from 76.6% the year before, and room rates increased 3.6% to an average of $204.26. These numbers are encouraging in a tourism season that has seen predominantly flat growth. Turbulence in Europe thwarted some international travelers but domestic travelers from the Southeast and Florida picked up much of the slack. There’s more here: Strong April Tourism
VAN WEZEL NAMED #1 AGAIN: The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has once again been ranked as the #1 performing arts hall in North America in the 2,000-seat category of “top spots” in “Venues Today”, and international trade publication that covers the business side of entertainment. This is the sixth time that the Van Wezel has claimed the top spot. Hundreds of theaters are compared and contrasted on performance and event grosses. Click here for more: Van Wezel #1
SARASOTA TO REVISIT ORDINANCE ON TREES: City leaders will reexamine their rules regarding trees and development after hearing complaints from homebuilders recently. The City Commission unanimously agreed to create a temporary tree advisory committee to try and settle the debate between neighborhood tree protection advocates and developers who now say the rules are too restrictive. But the decision follows a two-year review process that ended with a dozen changes to the city’s tree ordinance just last summer. Current rules require developers to replace trees of different ages and therefore larger diameters, with a certain number of smaller, younger trees. To read more on this story, please click here: Tree Rules
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