Newtown, Sarasota, Seeks Revitalization While Battling Gentrification Concerns
Newtown, a historically Black community in Sarasota, Florida, is undergoing revitalization efforts aimed at improving its infrastructure and economic opportunities. Community leaders and residents are actively involved in shaping these plans, which include an overhaul of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, the commercial main street, with new shops, restaurants, and cultural hubs. The goal is to attract investment and create wealth within the community, addressing decades of underinvestment and neglect. However, there is significant concern among long-term residents about potential gentrification and displacement. Figures like Jetson Grimes, a local business owner, emphasize the need for investment that protects existing community members rather than pushing them out. Sarasota City Commissioner Kyle Battie highlights the neighborhood's 2024 listing in the National Register of Historic Places as a crucial factor in preventing gentrification, as it imposes regulatory hurdles for developers. Residents are seeking...
