Newsletter 109

NEWS FROM THE SUNCOAST

SARASOTA MAKES FACE MASKS MANDATORY

The city of Sarasota recently became the latest local government in Southwest Florida to require face coverings when people conduct business indoors in public spaces. “Our primary focus is on educating the public about the requirements and encouraging the use of masks before enforcement,” said Jason Bartolone, a city spokesman. “They’ll be handing out free masks and informational brochures to help people understand the requirement.” Sarasota leaders have also asked residents, community leaders and businesses help the city by encouraging their neighbors and customers to wear face masks. To read more on this story, courtesy of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, please click here: City of Sarasota Masks

PROPERTY VALUES HIT NEW HIGH

Sarasota County’s “sneak peek” at what local governments will have to spend next year based on property tax revenues – a reliable indicator of construction starts and market values – shows a total property value assessment for the county that exceeds its pre-Great Recession high. A 2019 preliminary countywide value of $65.141 billion exceeds the record of $62.633 billion in 2007 – before a plunge of nearly $10 billion in the following year. Property values bottomed out at $39.130 billion before beginning a steady seven-year climb. However, these latest figures are a snapshot in time that only reflect the state of the property market on January 1. It’s too early to tell exactly what impact the coronavirus and deflating economy will have on property values going forward. For more on this story, please click here: Sarasota County Property Values

HOME SALES PLUNGE IN MAY

Home sales collapsed in Southwest Florida in May as the coronavirus continued to clobber the regional economy. Buyers closed on 1,007 existing single-family homes in the Sarasota-Manatee region, down 40% from 2019 during what is typically one of the busiest months for sales in the year. Sales had dropped 21% in April over the year, and some real estate agents at that time had expressed hope that the worst of the virus-fueled downturn was behind them. But with May’s plunge, local home sales through the first five months of 2020 are now down 10.5%, according to Florida Realtors Group. Condo sales also braked in the two-county area. The 392 units closed marked a 48% skid over the year, with year-to-date sales now off 4% from 2019. Please follow the jump for more on this story: Home Sales Plunge

LBK ESTATE TOPPLES SALES RECORD … BY $1

The sale of a Gulf of Mexico estate on Longboat Key looks like a record-setter for the Sarasota-Manatee region – by $1. The home at 6021 Gulf of Mexico Drive closed last week for $13 million, plus $1, which helped buyer’s agent Kim Ogilvie top the previous high mark of $13 million for sold residences as reported by the Multiple Listing Service. This 7,174 square foot house was listed last October for $13.95 million, records show. Ogilvie, of Michael Saunders & Co., held the previous record in the two-county area of $13 million for the estate at 1067 Westway Drive on Lido Shores in 2006. There’s more on this story here: LBK Sale Beats Record by $1

NO MORE DREDGING DELAYS

A federal judge has denied a last-minute attempt to halt the dredging of Big Pass by an organization formed to protect Siesta Key beaches. Save Our Siesta Sands 2 filed a request for a temporary restraining and preliminary injunction order from the court, days before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers planned to begin the beach renourishment project. The organization argued that the project to rebuild the shoreline of Lido Key Beach could have significant negative environmental and economic consequences for Siesta Key. Please click here for more: No More Dredging

SEWAGE SPILL INTO BAY

Left unaddressed for nearly two weeks, a leak from a Longboat Key sewage pipe spilled an estimated 26 to 28 million gallons of sewage into Sarasota Bay from the town’s aging sewage line, a Florida Department of Environmental Protection spokeswoman said. The DEP will investigate the spill and hold Longboat Key “accountable by identifying necessary restoration and remediation actions,” agency spokeswoman Shannon Herbon said in an email response shared by the environmental group Suncoast Waterkeeper. Longboat Key, the city of Sarasota, DEP and Suncoast Waterkeeper have all independently taken water quality samples at and around area waterways. Click here for more: Sewage Spill

COUNTY GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO LEGACY TRAIL

Cyclists and pedestrians be ready: this week, Sarasota County officials approved a construction contract for the first leg of the Legacy Trail Extension. That means ground will be broken this month on the first section of the extension that will run from Proctor Road to Bahia Vista Street and the heart of the Amish and Mennonite community of Pinecraft. Construction is slated to finish next April. A contract for work near the southern end of the Legacy Trail – and for the North Port Connector – will be brought before the commission soon. There’s more here: Legacy Trail Extension

STATE SAYS: HUMANELY KILL LETHAL TOADS

A species of warty, toxic toads is invading Florida backyards as it multiplies across the southern part of the state. The cane toad, also known as bufo toad, is a poisonous amphibian that, when provoked, can produce a milky white toxin on its back, a substance that is particularly dangerous to house pets. The toxin could leave a dog or cat in serious distress or dead in as little as 15 minutes, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. The state’s wildlife commission encourages homeowners to kill cane toads whenever possible. What do they look like? Honestly, they’re pretty gross. Please follow the link for more on this story: Toxic Toads

THE FUTURE OF TOURISM FOR SARASOTA

A recent Op-Ed from Sarasota resident David Houle, also know as “The Futurist”.
The short and long-term views of tourism and travel for Sarasota do not look anything like what we were used to pre-COVID-19. The flow of “seasons” will be completely disrupted for the next twelve months. The only metrics, and they won’t be pretty, are month-by-month comparisons to 2019. Comparing June 2020 to May 2020 is comparing partially open month to mostly closed. All will be disrupted until there is a widely available vaccine. There will be less international travel and more domestic trips, especially by car. No matter what the airlines are saying about safety, they are fighting a valid view that it is impossible to conduct social distancing in a plane or at the gate area. People will decide to just drive and RV travel will greatly increase. Click on the link for more: Future of Tourism: Op-Ed