Make Benderson Park back up project promise
Benderson Development Co. is making another promise to Nathan Benderson Park.
The company said in 2013 it would raise money andbuild a boathouse in the park.
Apparently, there’s nothing in writing about this widely reported agreement reached after the state and Sarasota County paid roughly $30 million to create the park.
No money was raised or building built.
With the 2028 World Rowing Championships coming to the park in August 2028, a park official recently told the Sarasota County Commission that Benderson has agreed to guarantee to fill any funding gap for the $80 million gymnasium the company is pushing to build there.
Either the total must be deposited or guaranteed before construction can begin, according to the park’s contract with the county.
The county allocated $20 million in 2022.
The state budgeted $10 million in 2026.
Again, no money has been raised to make up the difference.
In fact, a fundraising effort wasn’t organized until late last year. Benderson says it will chip in 20% – or $16 million.
So now Benderson is also guaranteeing to make up the remaining $34 million shortfall?
Even if people agree with putting up a building with 100,000 square feet of hardwood court for sports that have nothing to do with the lake – but everything to do with attracting people to Benderson’s nearbyUniversity Town Center commercial district– one thing is clear:
Get everything in writing this time.
Terry Galvin, Bradenton
Galvin was a longtime volunteer at Benderson Park. He is a former Herald-Tribune business editor.
Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County needs more than a promise on Benderson Park | Letters
