Thursday, October 31, 2019

SMH-Venice progressing toward completion

SMH-Venice
Drone footage taken Oct. 17 shows progress on the construction of Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice, which is expected to be complete in about a year.
PROVIDED IMAGE
https://www.yoursun.com/venice/newsBy Bob Mudge, Senior Writer, Oct 31, 2019

VENICE — Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice is about two years away from completion.

Preparation of the site began in the spring after the Venice City Council agreed to let it commence prior to all city approvals being granted.

Sarasota Memorial promised that if the project weren’t approved it would return the site, at the southeast corner of the Laurel Road/Pinebrook Road intersection, to its original condition.

Vertical construction began in August, according to SMH spokeswoman Kim Savage, with the first concrete deck pour on Sept. 17, ahead of schedule.

A YouTube video from Gilbane Construction of the work that day says that it took five hours to place the rebar for the deck pour, which involved placing 400 cubic yards of concrete — 40 truckloads.

Completion of construction will require more than 2,000 pieces of rebar and more than 13,000 cubic yards of concrete, according to the video.

Exterior structural work will continue into next year, Savage said.

The hospital continues to hold Neighborhood Advisory Council meetings to provide updates on the project. The most recent one, on Oct. 3, was held onsite to offer a peek at the progress of construction.

Venice Regional Bayfront Health Marketing Manager Julie Beatty said there’s no news on the status of its proposed replacement hospital southeast of the Jacaranda roundabout.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate




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Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Publix opening; other stores set in West Villages Marketplace

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Sun Photo By Scott Lawson
https://www.yoursun.com/venice/publix-opening
Scott Lawson Venice Gondolier Editor Oct 30, 2019 

It's not their style to make a big deal of openings.

"We literally like to keep it low-key; cut the ribbon and make it for the customer," said Brian West, with media and communications from Publix corporate office in Lakeland.

While they may make it low-key, the new 48,387-square-foot facility is another high mark for the West Villages community.

"We're excited about opening Thursday morning," West said.

It won't be like most Publix in the area — the closest one in size and style is in Parrish. The deli will be in the middle of the sales floor, not against a corner.
It'll also include a pharmacy, a different color scheme and a mezzanine for customers that'll offer up beverages, snacks and WiFi.

"It makes for a nice area for people to come in and sit down and relax," West said.

Publix is the first of stores for West Villages Marketplace, but more than a dozen have already staked their claim for the development.

Josh Beyer, senior vice president of development for St. Petersburg-based Sembler, said the $27 million project is exceeding their expectations.

"We are close to 80% leased," he said.

While there are opportunities for businesses to still get involved, the Marketplace is quickly filling — in terms of paperwork — with shops set to open later this winter.

So far, there are spots set for food, including China 1, Bocca Lupo's third location, and Fuji Noodles; spots set for treats, including Dunkin' and PeachWave Yogurt; spots set for care of yourself and your pets, including Great Clips, Heartland Dental, a nail salon and a salon for facials along with a veterinarian clinic along with other needs, including a Chase bank, UPS Store, Sparkle Brite Pools and 7-Eleven.

There remains more than 10 units still available, according to paperwork from Sembler.

West Villages officials are thrilled the first store is opening on time and in high form.

"I'm ecstatic for the community as a whole … the quality of the center and having Publix as part of your neighborhood is a game-changer for us," West Villages Mattamy Homes President Rick Severance said. "We're encouraged for the other synergies it'll bring to as well."

Christine Masney, vice president of marketing for West Villages, said there is going to be a positive impact from Publix and Marketplace.

"For our community, it is going to be amazing. Being able to walk, bike or drive a shorter difference than our past is going to make life much more easier and more convenient," she said.

Other merchants are likely to open near the first of the year, she said.

Those merchants and spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner are big for the community.

"The additional restaurants and services … those things are impactful when people are thinking about where they want to live," Severance said. "People refer to Publix as 'their Publix' when it comes to where they shop — they take ownership."

And the neighborhood continues to grow. Masney said West Villages is in the planning phase for its Town Center. Depending on permits, they hope to break ground in early 2020.

If things go well, they could be building vertically at Town Center in late 2020 and opening in 2021.
Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate




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Friday, October 25, 2019

North Port Aquatic Center Opens



https://www.yoursun.com/westvillagessun/north-port-aquatic-center-opens
Staff Report Oct 23, 2019

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A Rider goes down one of the high water slides.
SUN PHOTO BY MONICA AMAYA

NORTH PORT — North Port’s new Aquatic Center, at 6205 W. Price Blvd., opened for the first time Monday afternoon.

The new $12.5 million pool and waterpark has pools, water slides and concession stands all be open for the public after more than a year of construction.

“It’s the biggest ribbon-cutting for North Port, ever, as far as I can tell,” North Port Commissioner Pete Emrich said, surveying curious visitors strolling the waterpark.

But everyone is asking: What is the tall water slide tower going to be like?

One who knew early was Tricia Wisner, assistant director of parks and recreation for the city. She went down it during testing by the State Department of Agriculture, which had to sign off on its safety.

“It’s really cool and real, real fun,” she said.

Wisner climbed the 97 steps to the top of the tower and went down the slide.

The view from the top?

“It’s high,” she said.

There are 1 million gallons or 8.3 million tons of water in the rivers, pools and kid splash pads at the new North Port Aquatic Center.

Or the weight of 20 adult whales.

These and other factoids, like — that we use every muscle group when swimming, for instance — were listed on a city Parks and Recreation Department “Did You Know?” sheet.

The 25-meter competitive pool — what used to be called a lap pool and which is heated — will open year-round, available to swim teams, fitness activities and for simple pleasure, said Trish Sturgess, the complex’s new aquatics supervisor.

The waterpark also hosts a Swim With Santa on Dec. 21, a polar plunge at winter break on Jan. 4, among other planned events, she said.

“It’s a gorgeous day and we’re very excited,” Sturgess said.

The center, which features water slides, a lazy lagoon, childrens’ pool and a competitive lap pool, is open from 4-7 p.m. weeknights, and from noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $6 to $8 for city residents, and $10 to $12 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 941-429-7275 or visit www.cityofnorthport.com and search for Aquatic Center for a full schedule of fees.


Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate







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Thursday, October 24, 2019

Rotary Legacy Trail ride, picnic set

https://www.yoursun.com/westvillagessun/rotary-legacy-trail-ride-picnic-set/article

By Roger Button, Sun Columnist 
October 23, 2019

VENICE — As organizers approach the Rotary Ride to End Polio Now on Saturday, they remind cyclists and families they can still enter the event.

Bring bikes to the Legacy Park alongside the Venice Avenue Bridge by the intracoastal to sign-in from 8:30 -10:30 a.m.

Signs will be posted along the route and there will be free water stations.

Adding to the fun, Venice Nokomis Rotary Club members will have a celebration picnic party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Legacy Park.


Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate


Guests are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and can purchase T-shirts. Family fun includes a cornhole mini-tournament and the Real Bikes raffle for the $620 bicycle and other prizes.

“Registration has been extended and will continue until the morning of the event,” Rotarian President Wendy North said. “We will have a shirts and food for people already registered and encourage more participants to sign-in online.” Visit www.venicenokomisrotary.org.

Real Bikes Venice & Englewood at 581 U.S. 41 Bypass in Bird Bay Plaza near the Legacy Trail Overpass will provide pre-ride safety checks at the store and in the Real Bikes tent at the event, said Carl Poleschner store manager.

There will be demonstrations of sporting and powered bicycles.

As event sponsor Real Bikes is donating the grand prize of a $620 Jamis Hudson Bicycle with all required riding accessories and additional prizes.

The raffle prize drawing takes place at Legacy Park at 1 p.m., ticket holders need not be present to win.

Rider registration starts at 8 a.m., adults $25, children under 12 free.

Adults receive a T-shirt, wrist band, lunch and beverage, children’s T-shirts $12 each. For details and to participate visit Facebook @venicenokomisrotary or the club at venicenokomisrotary.org.

All proceeds from this event by Venice Nokomis Rotary Club members will be used to help fight polio.






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City Council passes ordinance to ban shark fishing at Venice Fishing Pier

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https://www.snntv.com/story/41218191/city-council-passes-ordinance-to-ban-shark-fishing-at-venice-fishing-pier-and-brohard-beach

Tuesday, October 22nd 2019, 7:15 PM EDT
By Chip Reid

VENICE -  New shark fishing regulations released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission on July 1st led the City of Venice to decide whether or not fishing for sharks on places like the Venice Fishing Pier aligns with the FWC's code. This led the council to propose an ordinance that would eliminate fishing for sharks near swimmers entirely. The issue has split Venice residents.

"I think it's important to protect the public and protect people. I mean, you're talking about protecting human life versus going out to catch a fish for the fun of going out to catch a fish," ordinance supporter Will Lyons said.

"In the history of shark attack statistics in Florida, there's never been a shark attack in Venice and that's with people fishing from the beaches and from the piers. So there's no real threat to public health or safety," ordinance opponent Rob Merlino said.

Lyons believes fishermen will be just fine if the ordinance is passed.

"No, I don't think there'll be a loss at all. I've been a fisherman in the past. I've done a lot of fishing – salt water and fresh water and most of the time we ate what we caught," Lyons said.

Although Merlino is against the ordinance, he says that it it's passed it will not affect his fishing routine in the slightest.

"For me, personally, it won't change a thing as for what I do. All of my gear is within the limits of the proposed ordinance. I don't necessarily targets sharks but I do catch them and they are out there. Sharks are a opportunistic predator so if I'm fishing for king fish which employs a certain method of putting bait on top of the water and a shark bites it, I'm still required by state law to land that shark according to FWC guidelines," Merlino said.


Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate




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