Andrew Warfield

Charlotte, Weatherford

Writer at Sarasota Observer

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Articles

Sarasota Station plan remains on track to move forward

1 week ago | yourobserver.com | Andrew Warfield

A decade after first conceptualized by the late Harvey Vengroff, Sarasota Station has taken its first official steps toward realization with two City Commission approvals related to the residential project in the Park East neighborhood. During its May 5 meeting, commissioners unanimously approved two measures to pave the way for 69 market-rate for-sale townhomes next to where Vengroff’s legacy company, One Stop Housing, plans to build 202 affordable housing apartments.
Sarasota's affordable housing program takes root

1 week ago | yourobserver.com | Andrew Warfield

In the more than two years since the city began offering incentives for developers to include affordable housing units in new residential developments in downtown, and a year since extending it to commercial centers and corridors, Sarasota has more than 900 attainable units at varying stages of planning and development. The City Commission approved incentives to developers to include affordable housing in their residential projects on Sept. 19, 2022.
Former commissioner wins legal fees reimbursement from city

1 week ago | yourobserver.com | Andrew Warfield

Citing “bad law,” Sarasota Vice Mayor Debbie Trice was the lone dissenting vote at Monday’s City Commission meeting on a motion to approve paying $10,285 in legal fees incurred by former Commissioner Erik Arroyo in defense of an ethics complaint brought by three residents in 2024. The matter stems from Arroyo introducing a presentation to the commission regarding a proposed public-private partnership with Ride Entertainment Sarasota to activate Ken Thompson Park at City Island.
Sarasota city manager search firm resigns, process back to 'square one'

1 week ago | yourobserver.com | Andrew Warfield

Now that the firm retained by the city of Sarasota to help conduct the search for a new city manager has relinquished its lead role, the City Commission is no further along in the process than it was in October 2024 when Marlon Brown vacated the position.
Hyatt redevelopment adjustment upheld

1 week ago | yourobserver.com | Andrew Warfield

During its May 5 meeting, the Sarasota City Commission affirmed the Planning Board’s approval of an adjustment application by Kolter Urban to relocate the existing driveway to the Hyatt Regency to accommodate its plans to redevelop the site. With no discussion on Monday, the commission reaffirmed its affirmation by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch opposed. At its Dec.
Early draft reports suggest the Van Wezel is 'obsolete'

2 weeks ago | yourobserver.com | Andrew Warfield

As the committee tasked to recommend adaptive reuse of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall enters the final two months of its work, members are beginning to submit drafts of their portions of their final report due by the end of June. Members of the city’s Purple Ribbon Committee began receiving and reviewing reports during its last two meetings, the most recent on Wednesday, April 30.
Sarasota estimates $17 million remains in post-storms damage

2 weeks ago | yourobserver.com | Andrew Warfield

Seventeen million dollars down, $17 million to go. That is the fiscal reality facing the city of Sarasota as it turns its attention from near-term to long-term recovery from the 2024 hurricane season. With $34-plus million in damages for a city that entered the current fiscal year with $28.7 million in reserves, the math doesn’t work.
Affordable apartments for veterans is nearly completed

2 weeks ago | yourobserver.com | Andrew Warfield

To help meet the need for safe and permanent veterans’ housing in Sarasota, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and St Vincent de Paul CARES have collaborated to develop Heroes’ Village, Sarasota’s first affordable housing project dedicated to veterans. With minor cosmetic touches remaining, the completion of the 10-unit project at 1539 25th St., the partnership held a ceremonial ribbon cutting Wednesday morning.
Busy agenda kicks off active month for Sarasota City Commission

2 weeks ago | yourobserver.com | Andrew Warfield

Following two consecutive meetings, each lasting just more than two hours, the pace is picking up for the Sarasota City Commission as it enters the already busy budget season. An ambitions May schedule, which includes a special meeting on May 13 to consider an appeal of staff and Planning Board approval of the controversial Obsidian condo tower at 1260 N. Palm Ave. and a city manager search workshop on May 22, begins with a full agenda at its regular commission meeting on Monday, May 5.
Recovery cost leave city in a fund balance crunch

2 weeks ago | yourobserver.com | Andrew Warfield

After taking a more than $9 million hit — so far — to its fund balance in the wake of the 2024 hurricane season, City of Sarasota officials have been asked to keep that emergency fund at top of mind as it develops the fiscal year 2026 budget. During its April 21 regular meeting, city commissioners approved a budget amendment for the current fiscal year to reflect the $17.2 million the city has spent on recovery efforts. The city began the fiscal year with $28.7 million in the reserve fund.