City Commission advances rezoning for Marian Anderson site in Newtown
Plus a Proctor Road wastewater spill, the Blackburn Point bridge dispute, and St. Armands this weekend.
Sarasota commissioners advanced rezoning and a revised sale agreement for the city-owned Marian Anderson Place site in Newtown, broadening a ban on crushing and recycling operations before they voted.
Commissioners voted unanimously to amend the city's pending sale agreement with Newtown Gateway LLC and, on first reading, to rezone about 9.22 acres of the contaminated, city-owned 14-acre parcel at 2046 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way from commercial residential to industrial general. The developer intends a health care clinic and medical offices on the northern parcel and warehouse, distribution or other light-industrial uses on the larger southern one, and has not secured tenants. The rezoning needs a second and final vote and approves no site plan. Before voting, commissioners broadened the condition on the property: no primary use processing or recycling trash, and no crushing, grinding or pulverizing of rock, concrete, asbestos, asphalt or similar materials, with those activities barred outdoors even as incidental uses.
Wastewater overflow reaches stormwater basins near Proctor Road
Sarasota County Public Utilities crews responded Sept. 14 to a wastewater manhole overflow in the 2500 block of Proctor Road caused by a blockage. About 550 gallons spilled and none was recovered. The county said stormwater basins and waterways were affected, cleanup is underway and sampling is required. It has not identified the affected waterways or given a timeline for sampling results. Crews are inspecting the line segment to determine what caused the blockage.
Preservation review argues for rehabilitating Blackburn Point Swing Bridge
The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation released a technical review, prepared by a national historic bridge restoration firm, concluding that the nearly century-old Blackburn Point Swing Bridge in Osprey can be rehabilitated instead of replaced, and at substantially less cost to taxpayers. County transportation staff and consultants have recommended replacement, citing the bridge's condition, the difficulty of repairing the aging structure and public safety concerns, including the need for more space for pedestrians and cyclists. The alliance, which is advocating for preservation, contends rehabilitation has not been adequately considered.
Selby Gardens outlines 2026-27 season
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' announced season includes New Feet Within My Garden Go: The Poetry of Emily Dickinson at the Historic Spanish Point campus, Nov. 21, 2026 through Aug. 29, 2027. Writer, performer and visual artist Patti Smith, the gardens' artist in residence, narrates the poems on the grounds and returns to Historic Spanish Point for an evening dedicated to Dickinson on Oct. 13. Downtown, The Orchid Show pairs living orchids with site-specific work by Christian Sampson from Oct. 10 to Dec. 6.
St. Armands Circle hosts outdoor art festival this weekend
- When
- Saturday, September 19, 2026 – Sunday, September 20, 2026 · 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Where
- St. Armands Circle Park
- Address
- 1 St. Armands Cir., Sarasota, FL
- Price
- Free
More than 175 artisans and craft persons will fill St. Armands Circle Park for the fourth annual festival with craft marketplace, running both days.