Downtown project near Burns Court drops its 18-story tower and switches to independent living

In August, the Sarasota City Commission approved a set of transportation plan amendments on a split vote, among them dropping references to a direct bridge from Longboat Key to the mainland. Those changes need state review. The Florida Department of Commerce responded that the amendments would likely expose the city to lawsuits from developers, since the state would view them as "more restrictive or burdensome." Commissioners can override that warning, but only with a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch said she understands the issue will get a long discussion at a workshop before any vote. That workshop is tentatively set for Oct. 26, and what reaches the commission afterward could shift based on direction given there. For now, the bridge references remain proposed for removal, not removed.

Sarasota County had 162 vacant positions as of Oct. 9, according to public records, in areas including public safety, libraries and infrastructure. In an internal email, County Administrator Jonathan Lewis said the county is "taking a measured approach to recruitment, with a focus on mission-critical positions" as the November vote on Amendment 3 nears. Breeze Transit had the most vacancies, with 27 openings, mostly for bus drivers or attendants. Mike McNichols, the county's chief human resources officer, said September hiring was down 31% from September 2025. If the amendment passes, the county projects a revenue loss of $134 million over the first two years. The Florida Association of Counties puts the loss within five years at $386.6 million. The biggest single block of vacancies sits with the bus system.

The Remnant Cafe, run by the Remnant Church on Ashton Road, went back to full operations last week: showers, laundry, clothing and meals. It had scaled back for nearly a month after a neighbor's complaint led county code enforcement to issue a violation notice saying the property lacks zoning for a social service facility. The county has extended its deadline to stop until December. Church leaders have told the county they will not comply and plan to fight its reading of the zoning rules in court, arguing the restrictions violate their First Amendment freedom of religion. "We're living out our faith," said Tammy Burns, who directs the church's homeless ministry. Whether the services continue past December now depends on that challenge.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has started its 2026-2027 MainStage season with "Sophisticated Ladies," a musical revue honoring Duke Ellington. The season's theme is "Rhapsodies of Rhythm." The show packs in more than two dozen songs, among them "Take the 'A' Train," "Satin Doll" and "Mood Indigo." Performances continue through Nov. 22 at The Donelly Theatre at WBTT, 1012 N. Orange Ave.

Ryan Tremblay and Tim Steller are restoring the original 1920s paint on eight cypress beams from the grand lobby of the old Ringling Hotel. The hotel began as the El Vernona, which developer Owen Burns built in 1926. It was demolished in 1998, despite its National Register listing. Crews saved photographs, furniture and the beams, which then sat in storage for more than 20 years. A single beam can take at least three days. When finished, the beams will become an indoor pergola in the new Sarasota County History Center, scheduled to open in early 2027, where they will stay permanently.