https://www.yoursun.com/venice/amazon-fulfillment-center-set-for-venice
By Scott Lawson and Bob Mudge Venice Gondolier, Jan 17, 2020
VENICE — One of the largest internet companies and the second-largest private employer in the United States is staking some ground just outside Venice city limits.
Ground is being cleared for a 120,000-square-foot Amazon fulfillment center along Commerce Drive near Interstate 75 and Jacaranda Boulevard.
The company started seeking permits in November 2019 through Sarasota County. Thus far, Amazon has spent $97,264 in administrative permit fees alone.
“I am thrilled to hear Amazon has invested in our community,” Sarasota County Commissioner Mike Moran said. “Stable employment, strong wages, and career opportunities have been a priority of my tenure on the Commission. I look forward to seeing this significant opportunity advance.”
While it has quietly moved through the county process, most of its reviews have been OK’d or are pending, according to the permit details posted online at the Sarasota County government website.
The stated construction value of the project is $16 million with most of the construction work set up by Ryan Companies of Tampa and architecture by Baker Barrios Architects of Orlando.
Messages left with Ryan Companies were not returned.
Venice Mayor Ron Feinsod said he’d just learned about the Amazon project. Although the warehouse will be 120,000 square feet, he said it’s his understanding that it’s not very large by the company’s standards.
The impact it will have on city infrastructure is unknown now, he said.
But it is a positive situation.
“It’s a good opportunity to create jobs in the area.”
It’s also his understanding, he said, that Amazon’s pay scale is well above minimum wage.
The state minimum increased to $8.56 an hour on Jan. 1. Amazon starting wage is $15 per hour.
Venice City Manager Ed Lavallee echoed Feinsod’s comments about jobs, adding that the whole Jacaranda Boulevard corridor is “ripe for development.”
The arrival of a cornerstone business such as Amazon will have a ripple effect in that regard, he said.
He said he’s also interested to hear the perspective of Amazon, a “forward-thinking” company on affordable housing, which had been a topic at Friday morning’s Convocation of Governments.
“Sarasota County welcomes the exciting news regarding Amazon’s plans to build a distribution center in the community,” Sarasota County Governmental Relations Director Rob Lewis said. “The county stands ready to assist in this project. ... Building a robust economy and its related business and employment opportunities is an essential element in solidifying sustained economic stability.”
Sarasota County Economic Development interim Director Dave Bullock is excited about the development.
“What a great idea,” he said. “New jobs, a new facility; better services to our residents who use those services ... I think it’s great.”
Just The Facts
According to a Sarasota County building permit, the Amazon Distribution Center will be 120,000 square feet and cost approximately $16 million to build. It was first filed Nov. 12, 2019 and remains as "review in progress." The first permit's expiration date is May 10, 2020.
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