Plans for Sarasota Bungalow Village are moving forward despite the collapse of a land sale that would have displaced several shops and restaurants from downtown Sarasota’s colorful cottages on Fruitville Road.
With news of the apartment development falling through days prior, Wendy Lee Goldberg, owner of The Breakfast House, appeared before the city's Development Review Committee on Oct. 7 with an unchanged goal. Her newly purchased property at 128 N. Briggs Ave. is set to serve as the future home of the collective cluster of shops, but needs to be first rezoned to its future designation of mixed-urban use to accommodate the small restaurant.
Joining her at the meeting Wednesday was Sarasota-based firm Ampersand Construction, a local firm that
has pledged its time and expertise to the relocation project to help Goldberg navigate the city process. This was the first submittal of the proposal, according to city documents, and only minor concerns were raised by staff members.
Tammy Hauser, founder of Discover Sarasota Tours, told the Herald-Tribune that she and Goldberg are still moving forward with the plan to relocate their businesses to the new property and establish the village center. She added that the pause on the project will give them more time to coordinate, finish going through permitting and prepare for the move — which she estimates will be completed by next summer.
"The bottom line is we're not closing," Hauser said. "We're getting ready for the busy season and we are moving forward."
Goldberg posted on The Breakfast House's social media that the business owners were "blindsided" by the email they received from the property owners, Alex and Marlene Lancaster, on Oct. 3 informing them that they no longer planned to sell the land.
"There is certainly a lot to process," she wrote. "However, even in the midst of the unexpected, we have focused on the silver-lining: The 1920’s bungalows will continue standing along Fruitville Road and their small family businesses will remain open."
A multifamily development, called 1899 Fruitville Road, was formerly set to replace the local business center with a five-story, 324-unit apartment development on the 3.5-acre property bounded by 4th Street, Gillespie Avenue, Fruitville Road and Osprey Avenue.
The owners of Siegfried's Restaurant posted on Facebook on Oct. 5 that the property "was no longer under contract," and that the German restaurant and biergarten would be able to remain at its signature cottage at 1869 Fruitville Road. The property owners sent an email to tenants Oct. 3 informing them that they no longer planned to sell the land, according to the social media post.
"We are not listing the property, marketing the property or seeking a buyer. The property is not being offered for sale," the email sent to tenants read. "Our intention is to continue owning and managing the property and providing the stability and continuity you have come to expect prior to the offer we have received."
Tennessee-based Bristol Development Group and national planning group Kimley-Horn were involved with the multifamily housing project, and it had recently received partial approval from the city's Development Review Committee.
Hauser cautioned that the halt to the apartment development might not be permanent. She hopes other businesses will join the village, but their participation depends on finding buildings to relocate. The original plan called for moving the cottages from the Fruitville Road property, which she said is no longer an option.
However, the movement has already inspired the donation of two cottages, including the quaint 1920s bungalow that will be the future home of The Breakfast House. The 1,048-square-foot home was gifted by local entrepreneur Scott Stevenson, the founder of Sarasota Motor Club, who also pledged to cover the cost of relocation.
Hauser told the Herald-Tribune that another generous donor from the Historic Laurel Park area has come forward to provide an antique cottage that her business will eventually move into, and she hopes that the trend will continue, especially as so many historic structures are being "torn down all over town."
"Our goal will always be to preserve the history and soul of Sarasota, and that's what we feel these cottages do," Hauser said. "We want to create a charming and lovely place for the community. One that's open to everyone."
About the new Sarasota Bungalow Village
Goldberg closed on the purchase of a tract of land at Fruitville Road and Briggs Avenue on May 12, where she said that she plans to build a "dream" retail village designed as a gathering place about a mile east of the current downtown Sarasota location.
"Our vision has always been more than simply moving our restaurant," Goldberg wrote on social media. "It is our plan to, not only relocate our restaurant, but, to build a new village that preserves Sarasota’s historic cottages. We need a destination for our community to gather that cannot be destroyed by new developments."
Other businesses that had previously planned to relocate include Siegfried's Restaurant and German Biergarten, The Artful Giraffe, Discover Sarasota Tours and The Cookie Cottage.
The owners of the businesses previously coordinated with the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation and Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County for guidance on how to move the bungalows and how to go about establishing a small dining and shopping campus.
"This new village will be a place where our community can come together to eat, shop, visit, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company," Goldberg said. "A place that feels welcoming, familiar, and uniquely Sarasota."Kendal Asbury is the real estate and development reporter for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Have an idea, tip or question about development? Send her an email at kasbury@usatodayco.com. Connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on Instagram @wordsbykendal, and support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota restaurant’s village plan moves ahead after surprise twist
