Newsletter 35

A TOURIST SEASON FOR THE BOOKS: Manatee and Sarasota counties reveal that the number of visitors, amount they spent on food and lodging, and overall economic impact is way up this year! Data from Visit Sarasota County for October 2014 (when the county’s fiscal year began) through March is: 565,270 visitors (up 11.5% from 2013-14), $595.3 million in spending (up 16.4%), $1.13 billion total impact (up 16.4%). Click here to read more, courtesy of our own Sarasota Herald Tribune: Tourism Record Numbers

TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK: The record tourism numbers have resulted in traffic congestion in and around Sarasota. Many suggestions are being offered, from widening of existing roads, to an additional bridge at the north end of Longboat Key, to water taxis. City leaders foresaw Sarasota traffic problems years ago, and listed road projects to solve them. By 2020, planners said, US 41 should be widened to six lanes – even eight in some places. Fruitville Road, Siesta Drive, University Parkway and others would all be widened. But none of these projects have been done. It appears that $80 million in street improvements will be left on the drawing board, perhaps permanently. The city commission will hold public meetings this summer to discuss options. There’s more here on this story: Traffic Woes

SMALLER INVESTORS BUYING IN: Investors continue to dominate Southwest Florida’s housing market, despite rising home prices and the diminishing availability of foreclosures, a new report shows. But it’s no longer the large corporate hedge funds – like Wall Street’s Blackstone Group – that stockpiled discounted homes across Florida for rental conversions during the recovery’s infancy. Smaller investment firms, flippers and wholesalers are now propelling the market’s records-setting pace, accounting for most the region’s overall home deals – and paying cash. Because the inventory of distressed real estate is drying up, these investors are turning to more expensive real estate listings to find houses to buy. Follow the jump for more on this story: Cash Purchases Still Dominate

PRE-DAWN VIGIL FOR THE TURTLES: Before the sun comes up, a committed group of people rise and shine. They put on Turtle Patrol volunteer shirts, grab a backpack full of gear, and head out to do their beach walks. Sea turtle nesting season has begun and runs through October 31. A total of 324 volunteers with Mote Marine Labratory’s Sea Turtle Patrol and another 25 with Longboat Key Turtle Watch, are ready to walk their section along 35 miles of beaches from Longboat Key to Venice. The first nests of 2015 have already been spotted. There’s more here: Turtle Patrol

SNATCHING THE CROWN: The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall ranked as the #1 attraction in Sarasota County from January through March – for the first time. St. Armands Circle – Lido Key’s premier destination for shopping and dining – was the former #1. Visit Sarasota, the county’s tourism agency, regularly conducts visitor-intercept studies in which they ask tourists to list the attractions they visited during their stay. It was a close competition. Van Wezel was at the top, with 36% of visitors in the 3 month period, while St. Armands Circle was around 35%. The new Mall at University Town Center was 30%. Click here for more: Van Wezel Tops St Armands