PALM AVENUE NEWS

Palm Ave News - September 2006
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News Archive

City Digs In Palm Avenue

No one can miss the transformation of the corner of Main and Palm Avenue. Lofty and impressive 1350 Main Street, once the address of a shaded parking lot, is taking shape and making its own shadows at this central downtown site. No Palm Avenue merchant has missed the year-long disruption of business caused by its construction.

Palm Avenue street closures are less frequent, though not over. In October (best guess), repaving part of Palm Avenue (Main to alley) will close Palm Avenue for a week. In October, likely, Mira Mar will be closed for a week for lifting and installing trees on the the sixth floor pool. At times, during the project so far, some weekend days, Palm Avenue has been closed for deliveries or other work.

On a related note is a proposal to build a parking garage at the present city parking lot between the bus station at Lemon and City Hall on Orange, between 1st and 2nd avenues.

Lights on Palm
One bright spot, well, actually about thirty bright spots… New light poles on Palm Avenue have been installed by the City of Sarasota. They are green with larger output that previous lights, similar to the ones installed in almost all of downtown Sarasota. That one bright spot... this is one summer project has been completed.
Earlier this summer, this site published photos of the new light poles installed on Pineapple Avenue. They were simple black poles with a crook neck. We identified them incorrectly as similar to ones planned for Palm Avenue.
Banners on these poles are being considered by Palm Avenue merchants. The new light poles can accommodate standard size banners that can have holiday messages, special promotions and other uses.

Current PA Developments

Burns Ct. Villas -5/06

The Savoy -
5/06

	Sarasota is growing by leaps and bounds. The current rate of expansion is truly staggering, and Palm Avenue is not immune. Click the images below to follow the progress of our new neighbors.
1350 Main - 5/06

Palm Avenue merchants

The proposed “adaptive reuse” of the landmark Hotel Demarcay is still being pursued by The Leiter Group.
Palm Avenue merchants, have attended and partipated in each of the commission and planning board meetings held this summer.

Palm Avenue Happenings

First Friday Art Walks

Despite difficulties, intrepid diners, dancers, downtown denizens and devotees still attend Palm Avenue’s monthly “First Friday” Art Walks
and gallery openings.

Meet and Greet

Many people braved a rainy Friday evening on August 4 to attend a candidate “meet and greet,” sponsored
by Palm Avenue merchants. Pam Kantor of Chasen Reed coordinated this event which hosted nearly 30 candidates for local and state office.

Comings and Goings

Several new shops and galleries have arrived on Palm Avenue this summer.

M Gallery of Fin

e Art

M Gallery of Fine Art is found at 16 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota 34236, between the two Galleria Silecchia locations. It’s open Tuesday thru Saturday, 10am to 6pm, and by appointment.
An array of art works and objects can be found here, including original oil and watercolor paintings, drawings, limited-edition prints, glasswork, porcelains, jewelry and furniture. Services available include framing, classes, workshops and consulting.
Previously, owner Maggie Kruger successfully ran galleries in nearby Towles Court. Her location here expands the selection of art, providing a variety of media, content and prices.

Mariann

e E

A few doors down, Marianne Ericksson opened her gallery “Marianne E” on June 1. Her storefront features antiques, silk florals and unique home accessories. It is located at 60 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota 34236.

Originally from Sweden, she lived in Chicago for years until a search for warmer winters led her to Hendersonville, NC. She’s owned similar stores in both cities. Her search continued in 2000, when she settled in Sarasota. In 2002, she opened an antique and accessories store named and located at “127 Pineapple Place.”

Art to Walk O

n

“Art to Walk On,” occupies the former Apple & Carpenter Gallery at 64 S. Palm Avenue.
Owner, Eileen Hampshire is enthusiastic about being on Palm Avenue.

She has about 40 years experience in the rug industry, researching, writing and teaching people about rug history, making and investment. They had a previous rug showroom in Montreal for years.

Palm Readings

Comments expressed in this column are opinions of the editors of this website only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Palm Avenue Merchants Association or individual merchants.

The 2006 Palm Avenue rack brochure is published this fall. This brochure has a 12-month shelf life and has an extended distribution throughout Sarasota and Manatee County. Advertising opportunities are available NOW! Call 365-5200.

Two Palm Avenue issu

es were featured on television recently. A recent news story about valet parking by Fox13-TV addressed the lack of adequate public and street-side parking on Palm Avenue specifically. According to one proposal, valet parking may become a distinct reality in downtown Sarasota’s future.

SNN-6 also featured Palm Avenue in a recent broadcast, focusing on the revenue losses experienced by merchants as a result of year-long (and often unscheduled) street closures as well as construction dust and debris. Resolution of this issue may be prolonged because of lawsuits against the City being considered by at least two Palm Avenue merchants in regards to revenue loss.

Peter Paul Gallery opened the “Painted Word” exhibition during the September first Friday Art Walk. About fifty friends and guests attended. One art connoisseur remains, considering the variety of work and value of his next purchase. Possessed of sublime patience and thoughtful continence, we are eager to hear his reaction and see which work appeals most to his careful eye and pocket. Apparently moved by the exhibition, he is still in the gallery and hasn’t moved since the opening.

New Condos on Palm Avenue

This is not a phrase that Palm Avenue merchants want to hear right now. Like the grizzled old prospector in the old West bar might say, “Them’s fightin’ words.” This is the part where peaceable John Wayne steps up, “Now hold on there...” These “new condos” are commercial condominiums now for sale in Mira Mar Plaza.
A special price is being offered to present tenants until October 15, 2006. After that, at 5% increase, the office spaces will be available to the general public. Estimated condo fees will be $6.23 per sq. ft. Third-party surveys and engineering analyses will be provided by the seller. A $10,000 deposit is required and 20% due at closing. Call Sarasota Commercial Management at 954-4044 for further details.

An account of a mounted Cristo

World-known Bulgarian artist Cristo seems to have made his long-awaited return to public art. One would recall his wrapping of the Reichstag in Berlin, a Caribbean island and, most recently, NYC trees. Now, apparently, his unique work appears downtown Sarasota.

The Leiter Group’s proposal for the adaptive reuse of the Hotel DeMarcay, next to the Mira Mar, is still before the City of Sarasota planning board. With this art installation, it seems the Leiter Group has made good on their commitment to local art by commissioning the gossamer foil rapture of this Palm Avenue landmark.

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For more information on Palm Avenue's First Friday Art Walks,
please call Nancy at 941-935-5790. For news, call 941-365-5200.

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