Sarasota Gets Nod to Work on Anderson Brownfield

Governments are like families in some respects. If they’re not talking to each other, misunderstandings can grow. Especially if distant cousins get to interpret what people say.

A joint Sarasota City-County Commission meeting Tuesday tried to clear up several misunderstandings since the last joint meeting two years ago.

On one issue of joint responsibility, they brushed aside “the cousins” and found common ground – specifically, common polluted ground.

The southeast corner of the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and U.S. 301 is a former dump, used by both the city and the county in earlier times.

Today it’s offically declared a “brownfield” by environmental regulators, but it remains a desirable commercial site if the pollution can be addressed.

Seven years ago the city and county administrator reached a handshake deal to clean up the site. The county would provide $500,000 to assist. But nothing was put on paper. “The city submitted a couple of bills for monitoring the site, which the county paid and shouldn’t have,” said Sarasota County Commission Chair Nora Patterson. 

But at Tuesday’s joint meeting, nobody was pointing fingers. They were trying to solve a problem. “We want to do this,” said Patterson. “You develop a plan and we’ll give you the rest of the money to make that happen. The dollars are here for you.”

The sticking point was a county demand the city “exhaust all available funds” before Sarasota County would release the half-million. Even Patterson said the term was inappropriate.

“Does that mean the city has to tap out its general fund before we contribute?” asked Patterson. “I don’t think so.”

Because both the city and county contributed to the pollution over the years, neither is eligible for state or federal clean-up grants. But City Administrator Bob Bartolotta said a not-for-profit organization was interested in the 13-acre site, and that group could ask for grants.

Earlier this year the city issued an “invitation to negotiate,” and 85 developers responded. But not one went further. The city has committed $1.2 million to help clean up the site. 

 “You have to show us a plan,” said Patterson. “The monies are there. We are holding it for you.” County Commissioner Jon Thaxton said, “It was the intent that the city would look for other funding partners, and if there was a shortage, that’s when the [county] money would come into play.”

Patterson capped the conversation by saying, “We’re willing to cooperate with you.”