Ian Black joins The Bay Park Conservancy Board

Ian Black, CCIM, of Ian Black Real Estate has been named to The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC) Board. BPC is the nonprofit responsible for designing, developing, operating and programming 53 acres of city-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a signature public park – The Bay.

Black has been a prominent fixture in the Sarasota and Manatee County real estate market since the early 1980’s. He will lend that experience to the board as The Bay enters Phase 2 and beyond of development.

“Ian is a proven leader in our community who adds experience and expertise to the Board necessary to govern and balance ongoing operations of the existing park with the continued build out of ‘more park for all,’” said Jennifer Compton, BPC Chair. "More than 500,000 people have already visited The Bay in the first 18 months. The Bay team continues to focus on providing park guests surprising, delightful experiences every day while also designing and building Phase 2 of the park and beyond.”

Design and development of Phase 2, the next 14-acre $65 million development, is fully funded and underway with expected completion in 2026. The completed park in total will cost an estimated $175-200 million and will take approximately 8-10 years to complete over four or more phases.

Designed to be “One Park for All” The Bay hosts more than 50 free events per month for residents and tourists to enjoy – from movies to fitness classes, nature walks, and dancing. The first 10-acre phase of the park opened in October 2022.

“As someone who is interested in the economic wellbeing of the community, The Bay is a heaven-sent opportunity for Sarasota to become an iconic location,” said Black, partner at Ian Black Real Estate. “The way that the city and BPC are approaching this project with conservation of 53 acres of city-owned land at the forefront is a great example of a public and private partnership. I’m delighted to be a part of the future of the park and its next phase of development.”

Black founded Ian Black Real Estate, a commercial real estate services firm based in Sarasota, in 2003. Since then, the firm has earned some of the most prestigious brokerage assignments in the area. Ian is very active in the community and serves on the board of directors for the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition and the Sarasota Chamber.

About Ian Black Real Estate

Ian Black Real Estate (IBRE) is a boutique commercial real estate brokerage firm located in Sarasota, Fla. The firm is one of the largest commercial brokerage firms in Southwest Florida and boasts a deep knowledge of the commercial real estate market in Sarasota and Manatee counties and the surrounding area. For more information, visit ian-black.com.

About The Bay

The Bay is a signature public park along Sarasota Bay in downtown Sarasota, FL designed to be “one park for all” – open and accessible, free and welcoming for everyone to enjoy. This beloved gathering place is transforming 53 acres of precious city-owned land into a blue and green oasis – revitalizing what was once a parking lot into a dynamic public park. Since opening in October 2022, more than 500,000 people have already visited The Bay to experience all that the park has to offer. For more information about The Bay and The Bay Park Conservancy, visit www.thebaysarasota.org.

About The Bay Park Conservancy

The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC) is a 501c3 non-profit responsible for designing and implementing the Master Plan approved by the Sarasota City Commission to conserve, preserve, restore and transform 53 acres of precious city-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a blue and green oasis – providing a sustainable bayfront gathering place for the community to experience and enjoy a wide range of park uses, free programs and events. Designed to be “one park for all,” The BPC entered into a long-term partnership with the City to help fund, develop, operate, maintain and program The Bay park for the benefit of the community now, and for generations to come. For more information about The Bay and The Bay Park Conservancy, visit www.thebaysarasota.org.