Newsletter 169

NEWS FROM THE SUNCOAST …..

WHAT TO KNOW TO KEEP A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD

If you don’t know how reinsurance accounts for the largest chunk of the premium you see on your property insurance bill or wouldn’t know what “actual cash value” would be compared with “replacement value,” it’s not just you. Some of it appears to be Greek, even to those shaping insurance policy, if you’re going on the evidence at this legislative session’s first meeting of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. The committee met in January to take stock of the state’s insurance landscape after two major hurricanes and an uptick in policyholders getting moved off the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Reinsurance, simply put, is the insurance that insurers buy to back their reserves in case a catastrophe leads to a massive number of claims. “Citizens is a company that is purchasing reinsurance,” said Michael Yaworsky. Considering that Florida has seen one claim for every five homes in the past nine years, residents are more familiar with insurance than most. New legislation aims to increase understanding of insurance among Floridians before they speak to an agent. It’s the second attempt at an interactive insurance tool through the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. The current version, launched in 2011, saw just over 1,000 visits to its home insurance tab in Q4 2023—despite rising concern over insurance costs following hurricanes Helene and Milton. Agents remind consumers that insurance isn’t like shopping on Amazon; going for the cheapest plan can backfire. Coverage types and premiums can differ significantly based on many variables, even when the insurer is the same. Florida’s high hurricane risk, litigious climate, and reinsurance costs make it one of the toughest states for home insurance. Reinsurance alone can account for 30–50% of a homeowner’s premium. While reforms passed in 2022 helped reduce lawsuits and eased reinsurance prices, experts like Paul Handerhan stress the need for policyholders to understand what they’re actually covered for—beyond just the price. “They don’t stop and look, ‘OK, I took the lower premium, but what does that mean for the other options that I turned down?’” For more information on this story, courtesy of the Palm Beach Post, please click here: What To Know To Keep A Roof Over Your Head.

INSURANCE RATE HIKES HITTING FLA. GULF COAST

Next year’s insurance rates aren’t expected to increase anything like they did during the height of the state’s insurance crisis three years ago, but parts of the state are getting hit by cost increases. With hurricanes slamming the state’s western flank over the past three consecutive hurricane seasons — including three catastrophic storms — the cost of insuring property on the Gulf Coast is getting pushed closer to that of South Florida. The latest data shows that even though South Florida still has the highest average premiums, the largest increases in what homeowners are paying for multi-peril coverage are concentrated in areas of the state that historically were not considered the riskiest. Lee, Charlotte, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota and Pasco counties have all seen their average premiums rise between 45% and 47% between the first quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2024. That’s the time between the state’s first report that shows county-by-county insurance data and the latest, just recently released. Taken together, the reports show some inland Central Florida counties are also seeing higher increases, such as Lake County’s nearly 46% increase in premiums in that time. That interior county saw historic flooding after Hurricane Ian in 2022. Miami-Dade County, meanwhile, saw its average premium increase less than half that — 21% — during the same period. Insurance rates in the state are closely watched as Floridians pay more, on average, than any residents of any other state. The regional contrast in rate increases is even more pronounced in this year’s annual increases of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. rates, the state-backed insurer of last resort, which also insures the most property in the Sunshine State. Compared with last year, the average Citizens’ rate for Miami-Dade County is dropping 2.4% and the only counties getting average increases limited to single digits are Broward and Palm Beach counties, which together with Miami-Dade, account for 27% of Citizens’ policies. “The rate changes being implemented this year by Citizens show average costs increasing in the areas most impacted by the last three years of hurricane windstorm losses in Florida — primarily along the Gulf Coast from Collier County northward to the western portion of the Panhandle,” said Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications for the industry-backed Insurance Information Institute. “Additionally, we are seeing average rate increases in counties along the Interstate 4 corridor, from the Tampa Bay region through Orlando.” Increasing population and property values in those areas also play a role. But there’s no denying that while the southeast Atlantic coast hasn’t had a direct hit in decades, four of the past five hurricanes making a Florida landfall since 2022 have been along the Gulf Coast. And a few of them barreled across the state’s midsection and then hit Central Florida. Please click here for more: Insurance Rate Hikes Hitting Fla. Gulf Coast

SARASOTA HOUSING MARKET HOLDS PROMISE

This article was written by Evan Guido, the founder of Aksala Wealth Advisors LLC. Sarasota, known for its gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches and vibrant arts scene, is seeing plenty of action in its residential real estate market. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a luxury seeker, or an investor, there’s a lot to unpack in what’s happening in Sarasota right now. Let’s dive into the trends, statistics, and opportunities shaping this dynamic market. Over the past year, Sarasota has been buzzing with buyer activity. Retirees chasing the Florida dream, remote workers seeking a lifestyle upgrade, and investors eyeing strong returns are all driving demand. According to Redfin, the median sale price in Sarasota in November 2024 was $655,000. Homes are also spending an average of 72 days on the market, up from just 17 days a year ago. Zillow’s data reflects similar trends. The average home value in Sarasota is $444,191, which marks a 4.2% decline over the past year. Properties are taking an average of 43 days to go pending, a sign that buyers are taking their time and sellers are adjusting to a more balanced market. While prices have cooled compared to last year’s peak, Sarasota remains a desirable and increasingly competitive market. For first-time buyers and families, the higher price tags can feel like a hurdle. Rising insurance premiums and hurricane risks have added to the complexity, but Sarasota’s quality of life still attracts buyers. Nationally, trends support this slowdown. The National Association of Realtors recently noted that Florida’s southwest coast is experiencing some of the steepest price declines since 2011. But as buyers and sellers adjust to these post Covid shifts, there are still plenty of opportunities in the Sarasota market. Sarasota’s luxury market is still booming. Waterfront estates, upscale condos downtown, and exclusive neighborhoods like Bird Key and Siesta Key continue to draw interest from wealthy buyers. High-rise developments, enhanced by projects like The Bay waterfront revitalization, are especially attractive for their blend of modern living and easy access to arts, dining, and entertainment. The rental market in Sarasota is another area seeing strong performance. With average rents for single-family homes exceeding $2,500 per month, investors are seeing opportunities for steady cash flow. Long-term rentals are in demand, and short-term vacation properties listed on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO can command high rates during tourist season. While the market remains strong, higher mortgage rates and insurance costs are creating challenges for some buyers. According to Zillow, Sarasota’s home values are expected to grow by 2.4% over the next year, with national home sales rising slightly by 2.5% to 4.16 million units. Despite these hurdles, Sarasota’s reputation as a lifestyle destination continues to bolster its appeal. With its natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and resilient housing market, Sarasota is well-positioned for future growth. There’s more to read here, courtesy of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Housing Market Holds Promise

INVENTORY OF SARASOTA-MANATEE HOMES GROWS

A continued cooling trend in the Sarasota-Manatee real estate market has resulted in growing inventory of homes for sale, reaching the highest level in more than eight years, according to the latest report from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. The association’s February findings reported falling median sale prices, increased inventory and a longer time to contract and sale. The trends, according to report, indicate a market that leans slightly in the buyer’s favor. A cooling trend that’s persisted post-pandemic has resulted in some of the highest inventory the area’s seen in years. February’s supply of single-family homes in Sarasota County reached 6.8 months with 4,292 active listings, a 28.6% year-over-year increase in the supply, according to the report. Manatee County’s 4.9-month supply of single-family homes with 3,097 active listings is also a local high, representing a 16.7% year-over-year increase. The numbers are the highest February figures since at least 2016, which is the oldest report available on Realtor Association’s website. The surges come as inventory continues to rebound in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, with year-over-year spikes reaching as high as 200% and 300% in 2022 and 2023 as the market cooled after a pandemic-fueled buying frenzy. Sales data varied by county. Sarasota County recorded 589 single-family homes sold in February, a 2.1% increase from last year. Manatee County, meanwhile, dropped 8.6% from last year to 500 single-family homes sold. The median sale prices for single-family homes in both counties dropped from this time last year, with a 1.5% decrease to $499,990 in Sarasota County and a 4.8% decrease to $475,995 in Manatee. Median time to contract and sale, however, looked opposite in each county. In Sarasota County, median time to contract and sale for single-family homes increased from this time last year, up to 46 days from 45 days and to 86 days from 85 days, respectively. Conversely, both saw a drop in Manatee County, with median time to contract down 19.3% from last year to 46 days and median time to sale down 6.9% to 95 days. Townhomes and condos saw much of the same inventory, price and timing changes. February’s townhome and condo supply in Sarasota County reached 9.1 months with 2,618 active listings, representing a 23.5% year-over-year increase in inventory. Manatee County fared similarly, with a 24.4% year-over-year inventory increase to 1,828 active listings totaling a 8.3 months of supply. Closed sales decreased in Sarasota County but rose in Manatee County. Sarasota’s 237 townhomes and condos sold in February represents a 12.2% drop from last year, while Manatee County increased 28.1% to 237 sales. Median sale price of townhomes and condos fell from this time last year in both counties, dropping 12.3% to $342,000 in Sarasota and dropping 8.4% to $319,990 in Manatee. Median time to contract and sale, again, differed by county. Please click here for more: Inventory Of Homes Grows

LWR NEW-HOME SALES UP OVER LAST YEAR

Lakewood Ranch reported sales of 613 new homes in the first quarter of 2025, a 2.5% increase over the first quarter of last year − outpacing broader market trends and underscoring the community’s continued strength in a shifting housing landscape. Despite softer consumer sentiment and economic headwinds, buyers continue to choose Lakewood Ranch for its thoughtful planning, diverse housing options and commitment to long-term livability, the company said in a news release. The nation’s top-selling multigenerational master-planned community since 2018, Lakewood Ranch recently launched four new villages that appeal to a wide range of market segments, with additional neighborhoods on the horizon for 2026. Interest in attached homes grew this quarter, particularly in villages with many amenities offering accessible price points. Homes in the $300,000 to $500,000 range made up the largest share of sales, while luxury homes over $1 million held steady. Active adult buyers also increased 10% year over year, aligning with seasonal patterns and national trends, and tied to the opening of two new active adult communities, Del Webb Catalina (Pulte) and Calusa National (Lennar). Incentives like rate buydowns and closing cost assistance boosted new-home sales to 66% of total sales in Lakewood Ranch, well above the historical average. There’s more on this story here: LWR New-Home Sales Up Y-O-Y

WHAT DO TARIFFS MEAN FOR FLORIDA REAL ESTATE?

This is a recent Op-ed from Budge Huskey, CEO of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. When we hear the word tariff, many think of global trade disputes, cargo ships crossing oceans, or policy debates in distant capitals. But while the mechanics of tariffs may seem remote, their effects hit close to home, especially when it comes to the cost of building or improving residential property. Tariffs on construction materials are nothing new. Over the years, various administrations have imposed targeted measures such as those on Canadian softwood or Chinese steel, typically designed to protect specific U.S. industries. These actions were, however, very limited in scope and geography. What’s different now is the sheer scale and unpredictability. We’re entering uncharted territory marked by sweeping and inconsistent declarations against a wide range of global trading partners. Based on the highly controversial metric of overall trade deficits, what was once isolated is now being applied broadly, impacting nearly every product used by builders and homeowners that isn’t entirely domestically made. The list is extensive, as will be the consequences. Imported materials play a vital role in residential construction. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), roughly 10% of materials used in homebuilding are imported. Nearly 75% of imported lumber comes from Canada, and a similar percentage of drywall’s core component – gypsum – comes from Mexico. When these materials are hit with tariffs, the cost pressures on builders rise significantly. The NAHB estimates that tariffs could add over $9,200 to the price of an average new single-family home. Zelman & Associates forecasts this figure could climb as high as $25,000 in some markets. These price increases come at a precarious time. The U.S. already faces a shortfall of roughly 4 million new homes needed to meet demographic demand. For many prospective buyers, affordability is already stretched thin. Tariffs only widen the gap. And it’s not just new construction that’s affected. In the resale market, higher renovation costs will discourage homeowners from investing in improvements, whether to enhance their living experience or prepare a home for sale. Everything from cabinetry and countertops to roofing and plumbing fixtures often relies on imported components. No discussion of tariffs and Florida real estate would be complete without acknowledging the critical role of Canadian buyers. For decades, Canadians have been integral to our housing market, especially along the Gulf Coast, contributing to community vibrancy, tourism, and property tax revenue. According to the National Association of Realtors, Canadians account for approximately 11% of all foreign homebuyers in the U.S., with Florida consistently ranked as their top destination. Yet, recent trade tensions have chipped away at that relationship. Beyond the economic impact, rhetoric and policy decisions perceived as antagonistic have left many Canadians feeling unwelcome. In neighborhoods across our markets, including likely your own, it’s not uncommon to see “For Sale” signs on properties owned by Canadians who have decided they’ve had enough. Even when policies shift at a point in the future, some may not return, choosing instead places like Mexico or the Caribbean, where they feel more valued. I’m hopeful that’s not the case and implore all reading this article to remind our northern neighbors just how much they are respected and appreciated. Let’s be candid: Our world just became a little more complicated, and frustrations are amplified when challenges are self-inflicted. But as I often remind our global advisers: All things are temporary. Markets adjust. So do people. With timing, intention, and trusted guidance, opportunities abound amid the noise. Tariffs introduce another layer of uncertainty, yet people will always seek the comfort, security, and sense of belonging that a home provides. And here in Florida, we remain one of the most compelling places to find just the right one. There’s more to read here: What Do Tariff’s Mean For Fla. Real Estate?

SARASOTA POSTPONES VOTING ON ARTS CENTER

While trying to get answers about the total cost and scope of building a new 2,700-seat performing arts center and specific language in a legal document, the Sarasota City Commission recently voted to continue the discussion of an agreement with the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation on terms for sharing the costs of a potentially $400 million project. The city and the Foundation already have a partnership agreement, which calls for approval of a more detailed implementation agreement, which was due to be voted on by March 31. But after four hours of questions and answers with leaders of the Foundation who are promoting the new venue, and more issues on the agenda, commissioners voted to continue the discussion another day. They agreed to meet no later than the first week of May but may set up a special commission meeting to consider a revised version of the implementation agreement. “This should be in a meeting by itself anyway,” Mayor Liz Alpert said. “It’s a big thing with a lot of questions.” The decision to continue the discussion came long after it was apparent that commissioners most likely would not have approved the latest version of the agreement, which included a potential new location for the project just south of the 10th Street Canal. An earlier concept had buildings over the canal and just north of it, taking over part of Centennial Park, which is a major access point to Sarasota Bay for boaters. Last month, the design architecture firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop, which had initially conceived a four-building project, reduced it to just two buildings. One would be the 2,700-seat main theater for touring Broadway shows and other productions, and the other would be a lobby building with an event center and educational facility. Plans for a medium size theater have been dropped, at least for now. The new performing arts center has become a divisive, hotly discussed issue in the community, with dozens of columns and letters to the editor published for and against the project. Sarasota Postpones Voting On Arts Center Deal

BAY PARK REVAMP NOW IN FULL SWING

Long-planned changes to one of Sarasota’s marquee attractions are underway and on schedule, according to the group responsible for seeing them through. Sarasota’s Bay Park Improvement Board heard updates from the Bay Park Conservancy on the continuing redevelopment of The Bay, Sarasota’s signature downtown park along Sarasota Bay, at a recent meeting. The park is currently in phase two of a master plan that seeks to revitalize all 53 acres of the property once it’s completed. The Bay Park Conservancy is a nonprofit organization tasked with implementing the park’s master plan, which outlines the design concept for the full 53-acre park. In total, the master plan stretches at least four phases, is projected to cost around $200 million and is expected to be completed within the next eight to 10 years. The Bay Park Improvement Board meets with leaders of the Bay Park Conservancy to discuss progress on the master plan and vote on adjustments if necessary. The board is comprised of Sarasota County Commissioners Mark Smith and Ron Cutsinger, City of Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert, Sarasota City Commissioner Debbie Trice and senior vice president with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and former county commissioner Jon Thaxton. A combination of government grants, private donations and a city bond backed by tax increment financing, or TIF, will fund the $65 million price tag on phase two’s projects. TIF funds are the result of property taxes within the bayfront area’s TIF district, which funnels increased tax revenue from rising property values in the bayfront area into the park’s development. Properties within the TIF district are expected to generate $5.2 million within the 2025 fiscal year, according to a presentation from the conservancy. Only the additional tax revenue from increasing property values, not the total tax, will apply as TIF funding for the project. Phase two will include the construction of a canal district with the first of three bayfront restaurants, the restoration of several historic buildings in the park’s cultural district, the construction of a sunset pier and shoreline upgrades. Some of these projects, like the restoration of the Sarasota Garden Club building and seawall rehabilitation in the canal district, are already underway. Restorations of the Garden Club building and the Chidsey Library, which will serve as the conservancy’s headquarters, are nearly complete, with the buildings estimated to open later this spring. Bay Park Revamp In Full Swing

NORTH CASEY KEY ROAD ROAD REPAIRS BY 2027

The Sarasota County Commission approved a project to repair hurricane-ravaged portions of North Casey Key Road by March of 2027. Public Works Director Spencer Anderson told commissioners that Hurricane Debby initially damaged the road, but Hurricanes Helene and Milton “gave the knockout punch.” “The storm season of 2024 just erased the road,” Anderson said. Officials want construction to begin immediately for what they envision will be a two-year project. The county has since rebuilt just enough to allow for emergency access, but a long-term project will be needed not just to bring North Casey Key Road back to normal, but to prepare it for future storms. The two segments of the road being repaired make up a little more than half a mile north of Blackburn Point Road. Residents have clamored at a public meeting and at County Commission public comment periods for action on the road. Commissioner Tom Knight called the project the most robust repair to an area that has been a constant problem. Anderson agreed that it was “the most resilient project we’ve built along the shoreline.” Knight supported approval of the entire project at once, rather than an incremental approach to monitor how tariffs will play out, and his sentiment was echoed by Commissioners Mark Smith and Teresa Mast. “No matter what happens in Washington, the prices aren’t coming down. That’s just the way it is,” Smith said. “I’m in favor of taking the risk, rolling the dice, and going for what I would consider to be the best investment for our citizens,” Mast said. The motion to approve the project passed unanimously. Anderson said some of the raw materials needed for the project, specifically sheet metal, is “caught up in tariff issues,” which is raising costs. The total project ranges between $36 million and $40 million. Sarasota County expects to be on the hook for 12.5% of that ($4.5 million to $5 million); the rest would come from the state and a reimbursement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Construction will happen over multiple phases. First, workers will build a temporary road west of North Casey Key Road and install a new seawall. Properties along the existing roadway will still be accessible. Then, the repairs to North Casey Key Road proper will begin. The road has been something of a problem for county officials for some time. In June, flooding from an unnamed storm collapsed a portion of North Casey Key Road’s southbound lane. The county needs to secure environmental permitting from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Anderson said there is a sea turtle nesting area at the north end of the project that officials will monitor during construction. North Casey Key Road Repairs By 2027

MANATEE COUNTY TO SPEND MILLIONS ON CANALS

The 2025 hurricane season is quickly approaching, and Manatee County is nowhere near done clearing downed trees and debris that caused severe flooding problems during hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton last year. Issues with clogged canals created significant flooding throughout the community, including homes in master-planned communities like Lakewood Ranch that had not previously flooded, during the 2024 hurricane season. Recently, Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved using about $2 million from stormwater fee revenue to hire contractor Rick Richards, Inc., to help public works staff clear high-priority debris that remains in local canals before the start of the 2025 hurricane season, which begins June 1. Commissioners will also consider the use of another $7.7 million in funding for additional work not funded by the emergency $2 million allotment as part of its budget planning. “Last year’s triple punch of Debby, Helene and Milton over the course of a two-month period of time was a severe death punch to us all,” Public Works Contract Manager Jeffrey Bare said during the meeting. “Our system took a tremendous beating, and as some of the numbers … prove that we still need some help.” There are “112 locations, we have documented over 300 trees down in our canals,” he said. “Keep in mind, after the storm blew through, we knew of at least 800 trees in these canals so we have removed a good number of them already.” Manatee County’s public works staff maintains about 545 canals but so many trees and other debris are clogging up the system that it needs outside help to finish clearing them in time for the hurricane season. Last year’s three storms generated 745 work orders for service related to drainage canals in Manatee County, but a public works staff of 55 has only been able to address 543 of them as of March 6. Much of the work that remains is more complicated or requires special equipment. Public works has mapped out 112 locations in need of contractor work. The total cost is estimated at about $9.7 million. Manatee County To Spend Millions On Canals

SRQ BREAKS RECORD FOR MOST FLYERS IN MONTH

March set a new record for passenger traffic at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The most monthly passengers in SRQ history — 597,796 — traveled through the airport last month, according to a press release. The figure punctuates years of rapid growth for the airport, with an increase in flights and the opening of a new concourse bolstering its expansion. March’s passenger traffic represented an 8% increase from the same month in 2024, and the first three months of 2025 saw 1.1% more traffic than the first three of 2024, according to the airport. It’s a rebound from a hurricane-based slowdown in the last months of 2024, which saw year-over-year decreases in total passengers of 42%, 13% and 25% in October, November and December, respectively. The airport closed for a week following Hurricane Milton, which made landfall Oct. 9, 2024. The setback was a sharp departure from a sustained post-pandemic surge that saw passenger activity spike, with 2021, 2022 and 2023 posting 61%, 22% and 13% increases in yearly traffic, respectively. April 2024’s numbers represented the first drop in monthly passengers from the previous year since August 2022. A long list of new flights — driven by budget airlines Allegiant and Avelo Airlines — have driven the growth. Allegiant, which launched a new flight out of SRQ April 3, began flying out of SRQ in 2018 with three routes, a figure that has reached 35. Combined, SRQ hosts 11 airlines and flies to 68 nonstop destinations. The new Concourse A, a $72 million addition that’s part of a $200 million expansion plan, will look to accommodate a projected increase in passenger activity. SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo, who’s set to retire after 30 years with the airport, said he expects 2025 numbers will continue to surpass those of 2024. SRQ Sets Record

VAN WEZEL PLANS MAJOR MUSICALS FOR 2025-26

Musicals about real pop music superstars are prevalent among the Broadway hits that will be part of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s 2025-26 Broadway season. A touring production of the still-running, Tony Award-winning “MJ,” about the life and career of Michael Jackson, will be presented for a week in a season that also includes “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical,” that looks at how he broke into the pop charts and became an enduring concert star, and “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” which earned a Tony Award for its original Broadway star. “Tina” was one of the scheduling casualties after the hall sustained significant damage last fall from hurricanes Helene and Milton. There also will be full-week runs of “Some Like it Hot,” which offers a contemporary twist on the classic Billy Wilder film that starred Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, and the return of “The Book of Mormon.” Van Wezel Executive Director Mary Bensel said if she had her way, there would be at least two more full weeks of Broadway shows on the season schedule, but timing and availability didn’t work out for the new season. But Bensel is thrilled to present “MJ,” which she said is “full of energy, and it’s selling out everywhere. It’s a really special show that I just loved.” And she expects “A Beautiful Noise” to be a big hit in the Sarasota area. “It’s been a tremendous success everywhere and everybody loves Neil Diamond’s music. It’s just spectacular.” She also is hopeful that “Some Like it Hot” will find a positive response in the area among theater lovers who remember the movie and will “fall for the singing and dancing and costumes.” Richard Thomas, best known for playing John-Boy on the 1970s TV drama “The Waltons,” will bring an end to the Broadway season when he stars in “Mark Twain Tonight.” Bensel said that Thomas is the first and only actor who has been authorized to take on the role created and performed for decades by the late Hal Holbrook. The Broadway season will open with the musical “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and Bensel said it will help to make up for the loss of all the holiday shows that were canceled last fall because of building damage. The Meredith Willson classic “The Music Man” is on the schedule, along with “Mrs. Doubtfire,” the Broadway musical version of the hit Robin Williams film, with a score by the brothers who also created “Something Rotten.” “Blue Man Group,” which recently ended its long run off-Broadway, returns for a second run in Sarasota. The hit Irish dance production “Riverdance” returns to mark the show’s 30th anniversary. Please click on the link for more: Van Wezel Plans Major Musicals for 2025-26

SARASOTA PLAYERS REVEALS SHOWS FOR 2025-26

The Sarasota Players will focus on stories about resilience, about characters needing to express themselves and the impact of those voices on the world around them in what the company expects will be the last season in its temporary shopping mall home. The area’s oldest performing arts organization will present one local premiere and several familiar titles in its 96th season, beginning with the musical “The Wedding Singer,” based on the 1998 Adam Sandler film. At an announcement program recently, the theater said it must wait until August to name the show it will present as a lead-up to the holiday season but described it as a musical about a “curly-haired orphan that remains optimistic despite dealing with the Great Depression.” It will be followed by Jonathan Larson’s ground-breaking musical “Rent,” Arthur Miller’s drama “The Crucible” about the Salem witch trials, and Stephen Sondheim’s “Assassins,” about the men and women who have attempted to assassinate presidents of the United States. CEO William Skaggs said it will be the final one in the theater space the company created in a former Banana Republic store in the Crossings at Siesta Key shopping center. Last fall, the City of Sarasota agreed to lease the underused Payne Park Auditorium to the Sarasota Players for 30 years. The company plans a groundbreaking in late summer for the renovation project, which Skaggs said will include “a new lobby, new restrooms and a new house for theater” that will hold more than 200 patrons with a flexible seating arrangement. It also will be available for rentals for other theater groups and community events. If plans proceed on schedule, Skaggs said the building should be ready to reopen in time for the 2026-27 season. There’s more here: Sarasota Players Reveals 2025-26 Season

NEW SARASOTA BALLET SEASON ANNOUNCED

As he nears 20 years as artistic director of The Sarasota Ballet, Iain Webb is looking for ways to provide more work to its dancers with each new season. Last summer, the company did its first international tour to London to take part in the Royal Ballet’s Ashton Celebrated series, and it has performed several times at the Joyce Theater in New York City. This July, the dancers will return for a week to the famed Jacob’s Pillow dance festival in The Berkshires, kicking off a season that will be filled with premieres and new performances of classics by Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine and others. “For the next three years, we’re working on different projects to keep the company on longer weeks,” Webb said in a recent interview. “Touring is always very difficult but we’re looking to do some more touring.” The company, widely praised for the Ashton ballets that have become its calling card, earned extra international attention for its London performances last summer. “People are still talking about the success we had in London and there was some disappointment that we weren’t coming back this year,” Webb said. “People still have their eye on us after those performances.” While much of the focus has been on the many Ashton ballets the company presents, the new season, which officially begins in October, will include three world premieres. Jessica Lang, artist in residence at The Sarasota Ballet, is creating a new piece that will premiere at Jacob’s Pillow and then debut in Sarasota Oct. 24-26. In Sarasota, it will be part of a triple bill that includes Michel Fokine’s “Les Sylphides” and Will Tuckett’s “Changing Light.” A new work by Ashley Page will premiere in the second program, which also includes Ashton’s “Illuminations” and Mark Morris’ “The Letter V.” The third program will feature the company premiere of Balanchine’s “Mozartiana,” Balanchine’s “Divertimento No. 15” and Ashton’s “Jazz Calendar.” Program four features a world premiere by Gemma Bond, her fourth work for the company since 2022. Details about the world premieres and music will be announced later. Paige’s piece will be presented at Sarasota Opera House with live accompaniment by the Sarasota Orchestra. There’s more on this story here: New Sarasota Ballet Season For 2025-26

WARM MINERAL SPRINGS TRAIL DESIGN OK’D

North Port leaders have approved a contract for the design of a Warm Mineral Springs Park trailhead for the Legacy Trail, as well as one for the restoration of three historic structures at the park. While the $283,662 contract with Wharton-Smith for the historic structures passed without comment on the consent agenda, Mayor Phil Stokes pulled the $692,800 Legacy Trail contract with Kimley Horn for discussion, mostly to make sure that the timing would be correct. During public comment, Charles Hines, program director of the Florida Gulf Coast Trail, noted that the link from the southeast corner of Warm Mineral Springs Park to one of the current end points of the North Port Connector, at Calera Street near Price Boulevard, has already gained regional support. Last November, the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization voted to list it as a priority project through the SUN Trail program, making it eligible for state funding. “What’s key to unlock other money is to have it designed and have local money in it,” Hines said, adding that the most appealing projects for outside funding are designed and ready to go. The 1.7-mile connection to the Legacy Trail would also be part of the SUN Trail network and the Florida Gulf Coast Trail, an ambitious 420-mile bicycle and pedestrian path that would connect Tampa to Naples. City staff have applied for two grants to help fund the project, including for $450,000 through the federally funded Recreational Trails Program and $3.7 million through the SUN Trail grant program, which receives funding from the sale of new vehicle tags for shared-use, non-motorized travel. Hines cited multi-use trails that are being built as part of the widening of River Road as well as Sarasota County’s preservation efforts along the Myakka River, including an $8.5 million investment to rebuild the park at Snook Haven. There’s more on this story here: Warm Mineral Springs Trail Design OK’d