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Did you know that more than 40% of adults in the United States suffer from obesity? Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure for this condition. Perhaps worse is that more and more adults and children are gaining weight across the country, choosing the convenience of fast and nutrition-deficient foods over healthy eating, exercise, and positive life choices. From an aesthetic standpoint, being overweight is a struggle - clothes don't fit right, people make uncomfortable comments about how you look, and everyday activities are less appealing.
From a health and wellness standpoint, however, being obese is much worse. Your life is literally on the line. The people who love you and depend on you to be in their lives could lose you sooner than you expect. With time, you have a higher chance of suffering from significant, life-changing issues such as:
While obesity is a serious problem, a new medication on the market is giving hope to millions of men and women across the U.S. This game-changing treatment is called Semaglutide in South Gate Ridge, FL. This anti-obesity medication is unique because it treats obesity as a chronic metabolic disease, rather than a problem that can be solved through sheer willpower. The best part? Semaglutide and other medical weight-loss peptides are now available at Global Life Rejuvenation.
At Global Life Rejuvenation, we understand that losing weight is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Our medical weight loss clinic offers custom medical weight loss plans tailored to your body, rather than plans based solely on your age or weight. In fact, our team of doctors and practitioners provides personalized guidance to help you achieve real results and live a healthier life.
Because the truth is maintaining good health and fitness are crucial in the modern world. Research has shown that viruses and diseases are more likely to affect those who are overweight and unhealthy. At Global Life Rejuvenation, we take a comprehensive, custom approach to medical weight loss that includes peptide therapy and more. We then work with you to make positive lifestyle changes, so you can lose weight, get healthy, and boost your wellbeing permanently - not for a few weeks or months.
If you're ready to get back to loving your life with more energy, confidence, and positivity, medical weight loss with peptide therapy may be for you. But to truly understand the benefits of peptides like Semaglutide, it's important you grasp what peptide therapy is and how it benefits your body.
Many individuals turn to peptide therapy to enhance their overall wellbeing by boosting hormones. Different types of peptides can target different areas of health, such as collagen peptides that can help improve skin, hair, and gut health.
Other peptides, such as AOD 9604, CJC 1295, and Semaglutide in South Gate Ridge, FL, are incredibly beneficial for losing weight. Compared to vitamin supplements, peptide therapy works differently as peptides are already part of the proteins in our bodies, making them easier to absorb and benefit from. Conversely, our bodies can sometimes fail to absorb all the nutrients present in multivitamins, leading to their excretion through urine.
However, it's important to note that weight loss is a complex process that involves various factors like age, genetics, lifestyle, exercise, and diet. While peptides like Semaglutide can provide much-needed assistance in achieving your weight loss goals, they are most effective when combined with healthy dietary choices, regular exercise routines, and overall healthier lifestyle choices.
If you've already tried different weight loss plans and diets but haven't had any success, medical weight loss with peptide therapy may provide that extra boost you need to realize your goals.
If you're looking to lose weight and keep it off, diet and exercise are important, but it can be difficult to stick to a routine. For busy adults and parents, Semaglutide can be a helpful tool for weight loss. This injection, approved by the FDA for diabetes and obesity, works by stimulating GLP-1 receptors in the brain to aid in weight loss and improve long-term health.
You may be wondering to yourself, "That sounds great, but how does this type of peptide work?" Semaglutide acts like glucagon in your body, which signals to your brain that you're full and don't need to eat anymore. When you take Semaglutide, and you try to overeat, your body waves a proverbial red flag as if to say, "That's enough."
Semaglutide also slows down digestion, reducing unnecessary snacking throughout the day. By reducing glucose spikes after meals, it reduces inflammation, which is important for overall health. Additionally, Semaglutide helps your pancreas secrete insulin, regulates the glucose levels in your body, and even has anti-aging and longevity properties. If you're struggling to lose weight, peptide therapies for weight loss like Semaglutide can be an invaluable addition to your weight loss plan from Global Life Rejuvenation.
When combined with healthy lifestyle choices like diet and exercise, Semaglutide can help provide:
There are multiple medications available to combat obesity by suppressing appetite and promoting weight loss. However, Semaglutide stands out as an exceptional option.
A recent study of 2,000 obese adults examined the effects of Semaglutide when combined with a diet and exercise program. The results were compared to those who only made lifestyle changes without taking Semaglutide. After 68 weeks, it was found that half of the participants using Semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight, with nearly a third losing 20%. In contrast, those who only made lifestyle changes lost an average of 2.4% of their weight.
It's obvious, then, that Semaglutide is a safe and effective supplement for your weight loss journey with Global Life Rejuvenation. But who is the ideal patient who should be taking it?
If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 27kg/m2 or higher and at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, or if your BMI is 30kg/m2 or higher, the FDA recommends Semaglutide for weight loss.
As medical weight loss experts, one thing our doctors and practitioners know at Global Life Rejuvenation is that true weight loss isn't dictated by medicines. It's achieved by sticking to a combo of exercise, healthy life choices, and healthy eating habits. From there, peptides like Semaglutide in South Gate Ridge, FL are great for taking your weight loss efforts to the next level of success.
One area where many patients fail in this process is with their diet. If you're considering Semaglutide treatment, keep these diet tips in mind.
To enhance your dietary habits, a practical approach is to concentrate on consuming whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. These food items are rich in nutrients and can provide a feeling of fullness and satisfaction while also promoting your overall wellbeing.
Eating mindfully involves being fully present and engaged during meals. This entails taking the time to enjoy the flavor of your food, being aware of your body's hunger and fullness signals, and avoiding distractions like electronics or television.
To maintain good health and support weight loss, it's crucial to drink plenty of water. It's recommended to drink at least 8-10 cups of water daily. You may also try adding low-calorie drinks like herbal tea or infused water to keep things interesting.
Planning your meals in advance is an effective approach to maintaining a healthy diet. Set aside some time each week to plan your meals and snacks, keeping in mind to incorporate a balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. This will prevent impulsive food choices and guarantee that you have nutritious options available when hunger strikes.
Unlike many medical weight loss clinics, which only offer cookie-cutter weight loss plans and one or two additional fat-busting solutions, Global Life Rejuvenation provides access to new, innovative supplements and medicines. If you're used to fad diets and "quick" weight loss plans, peptides like AOD 9604 and others may be new to you. To help build your foundation of healthy living knowledge, let's take a look at a few of the most popular weight-loss peptides and medicines available at Global Life Rejuvenation.
Often combined with Semaglutide regimens, AOD 9604 is known to promote fat breakdown, inhibit lipogenesis, and support tendons and cartilage. However, most recently, it has gained popularity due to its ability to boost metabolism and aid in burning fat.
What sets AOD 9604 apart is that it stimulates the pituitary gland without affecting tissue growth or blood sugar levels. Additionally, it can burn fat without causing overeating, making it a viable option for obese men and women who are trying to implement better eating habits.
Interestingly, AOD 9604 activates your body's fat-burning processes without requiring an HGH receptor. It also releases obese fat cells and reduces the accumulation of new fat cells. By helping to regulate blood sugar and manage insulin levels, AOD 9604 is excellent for weight loss but also for other maladies like inflammation.
Some conditions that this powerful peptide can help address include the following:
This medical weight loss supplement Is technically a combo of two peptides. These substances work by stimulating your pituitary gland to produce more of your body's natural human growth hormone, which is secreted during both waking and sleeping periods.
This results in increased protein synthesis and levels of insulin-like growth factors. As hormone secretagogues, they help release hormones into circulation while mimicking the pituitary gland's production. Extensive research has been conducted on the effects of CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin. As a tool for medical weight loss, it has shown very promising results.
That's because when growth hormone levels increase, nutrients are transported through the body faster, more fat is burned, and weight management becomes simpler. Additionally, because CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin increase the amount of growth hormone in your body, it stimulates the breakdown of triglycerides in adipocytes, leading to improved fat metabolism and reduced abdominal fat.
Benefits of CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin for weight loss include:
A Methionine Inositol Choline (MIC) injection is a mixture of lipotropics that aid in fat breakdown. The key components - methionine, inositol, and choline - work together to metabolize fat cells and eliminate stored fat deposits in the liver and body. Methionine is an important amino acid, inositol contributes to proper cell formation, and choline is a water-soluble nutrient that promotes healthy liver function. When combined, these compounds may help reduce body fat.
When used in conjunction with a medical weight loss plan from Global Life Rejuvenation, MIC injections can be a powerful addition to reclaiming your health and wellbeing.
Request AppointmentLike other weight loss peptides and medicines on this page, Phentermine can help you lose weight when you stick to a medical weight loss plan that includes dieting, exercise, and smart life choices. It does so by reducing your appetite, which limits the number of calories you eat every day.
As is the case with Semaglutide, Phentermine has been approved by the FDA and is supported by clinical studies that show it can support weight loss. With time, patience, and healthy living, this supplement may help you reach your wellness goals sooner than you thought possible.
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In the body, 7-keto-DHEA is produced from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is a hormone made by glands near your kidneys. However, unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted into androgen and estrogen in your body. Instead, 7-keto-DHEA is used orally or topically to boost your body's metabolism. It also helps convert more of your energy into heat, instead of storing it in your body as fat, which can accumulate with time and lifestyle choices.
Much like Semaglutide treatment in South Gate Ridge, FL, 7-keto-DHEA has been shown to be very effective for weight loss as well as a host of other issues. Additional benefits of taking 7-keto-DHEA may include the following:
Have you tried everything under the sun to try and eliminate the cellulite on your legs, arms, and other areas of your body? If you're like most people, getting rid of cellulite isn't just difficult - it's nearly impossible. Fortunately, those days are over. Lipo Sculpt Cream from Global Life Rejuvenation can help reduce the unsightly appearance of cellulite while also refining your figure and firming up your skin.
The active ingredients in this product have the ability to reduce and prevent the growth of fatty tissue while also improving microcirculation. They work together to treat both adipose and aqueous cellulite, and aid in the elimination of fatty deposits and excess water stored in the tissues. This results in a reduction of dimples and an overall improvement in the appearance of your skin.
If you have experienced success with a medical weight loss plan and reached your target weight but still suffer from cellulite, Lipo Sculpt Cream is a fantastic choice to consider. A few of the most common benefits include:
Are you craving a productive life at a healthy weight? Are you ready to make a meaningful difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones? The pathway to wellbeing starts by contacting our office for an in-depth consultation, where we'll learn more about your weight-loss goals and needs.
From there, we'll create a custom weight-loss plan tailored to your body. This plan will map out the steps of your weight-loss journey, including peptide therapies like Semaglutide in South Gate Ridge, FL. Though every person's weight management goals are different, when you're a patient at Global Life Rejuvenation, you benefit from dedicated doctors and practitioners committed to improving your weight and, in turn, your health.
Whether your health is on the line, or you don't like how being overweight makes you look and feel, our team is ready to guide you toward long-term health and happiness. This way, you can get healthy, stay in shape, and fall in love with your newfound body.
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In its heyday of the late 1980s and 1990s, Sarasota’s Southgate Mall property was a bustling center of commerce, having been fully enclosed in 1988.Known then as Southgate Plaza, it was a time when U.S. 41 was still the primary commercial corridor through the region and before most of its tenants, like many other retailers along Tamiami Trail, were drawn to Benderson Development’s University Town Center.Last week, Benderson took the first steps toward redevelopment of the largely vacant property, now known as Crossi...
In its heyday of the late 1980s and 1990s, Sarasota’s Southgate Mall property was a bustling center of commerce, having been fully enclosed in 1988.
Known then as Southgate Plaza, it was a time when U.S. 41 was still the primary commercial corridor through the region and before most of its tenants, like many other retailers along Tamiami Trail, were drawn to Benderson Development’s University Town Center.
Last week, Benderson took the first steps toward redevelopment of the largely vacant property, now known as Crossings at Siesta Key.
After taking seven years to assemble the nearly 35-acre mall property at U.S. 41 between Bee Ridge Road and Siesta Drive, Benderson is embarking on its first steps to breathe life back into the site, seeking a comprehensive plan amendment and subsequent zoning text amendments to change the zoning to the city’s new Urban Mixed-Use future land use classification.
The site is currently zoned Commercial Shopping Center with a future land use designation or Metropolitan/Regional #9.
Benderson and its development consultant, Kimley-Horn, held a community workshop at the mall’s Rise Above Performing Arts theater on July 25 to discuss its ideas for the site based on the new urbanism concept of mixing of residential and commercial uses to create a self-contained, walkable community.
Todd Mathes, director of development for Benderson, told the crowd the company has no development plans at this time, but should the city support the reclassification of the property, it could take two decades or more to complete the redevelopment. That would include a residential base density of 25 units per acre — 35 units should it include an affordable housing component.
Some attendees expressed skepticism about the absence of a plan, but Mathes explained several tenants have long-term leases with renewal options that could extend to 20 years. What it won’t be, he said, is a single use development.
“We do not, standing here today, have a plan for this property in part because we know that a lot of these existing tenants who are operating here are going to be here for quite awhile,” Mathes said. “It's going to be redeveloped in pieces, one little piece at a time, as we're able to work through it. What I can tell you is that we're committed to quality projects. We're committed to the community and we're very committed to the redevelopment and reenvisioning of the property.
“Everything about our experience with properties like this and everything that planners and architects tell us is that in the future, it's going to be a mix of uses.”
The property is currently zoned for 1.2 million square feet of commercial space. While largely vacant, Mathes cited some tenants — specifically naming Connors Steak & Seafood restaurant — as doing very well. The restaurant outparcels on the property stand alone and could be incorporated into the overall master plan.
Benderson completed its acquisition of the property last year, purchasing the 439,958-square-foot enclosed mall space for $25.1 million.
New Urbanism developments are typically higher density with residential surrounding a commercial component that serves the adjacent residents and surrounding community. They will often include a type of town square and green spaces, all intended to create a walkable, self-contained community with a goal of reducing vehicle trips for some basic needs.
Similar to the North Trail Overlay District, buildings are placed near the roadways with parking and utility functions contained internally.
The effectiveness of the design principle is subject to debate, largely because significant examples are few and far between. Historically, communities New Urbanism seeks to recreate occurred organically over decades and were not master planned.
Mathes admitted there are few developments in Florida designed around New Urbanism principles, citing Mercato in Naples and St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville as two that touch on, but don’t fully embrace, the concept. Both were also built absent significant mass transit serving the sites — a tenet of New Urbanism — Mercato along U.S. 41 and St. John's Town Center at the interchange of I-295 and Butler Boulevard, also an interstate-style highway.
Absent a catalyst, organic New Urbanism redevelopment is a more patient process, coming piece by piece, block by block, over time.
“The thought is that if, over time, we could revisit some of those original European principles as it relates to city building,” said Philip DiMaria, urban planner and project manager with Kimley-Horn & Associates. “We can create better places for people who live, work and play in an area. The idea is that a mix of building types, a mix of uses and diversity in general is healthy for human beings as it relates to their physical environment, and the city has adopted those principles. Those are key tenets within this comprehensive plan … and over time, we're starting to see a city that's transformed into a more new urbanist ideal.”
Most of the concerns expressed were about traffic, pointing out that their neighborhood streets are already used as cut-throughs. DiMaria said no redevelopment can occur absent traffic studies, which determine whether the existing roadways are sufficient or improvements need to be made. He added that a regional mall of 1.2 million square feet, as currently zoned, typically generates more vehicle trips than does a mixed-use development.
“At some point it was deemed to be sufficient for that amount of retail,” DiMaria said of the road network surrounding the mall. “Now as time goes on and as the city reviews each development application, they're required to study and analyze traffic. As part of any mixed-use development, there's an assumption of a certain percentage of residential units and a certain percentage of retail or office. There's an assumed amount (of traffic) that is captured within the site. Maybe there's a grocery store on-site right there to walk to instead of getting in the car and going to Publix.”
Addressing long-term ownership of the development, Mathes said both he and DiMaria live in the neighborhood and that Benderson’s business model is to develop and hold rather than sell. He hinted at including affordable housing, which by ordinance carries a 30-year requirement of rent caps.
“We are long-term committed to owning this property. We don't tend to create and sell product,” Mathes said. “There's probably lots of money to be made in selling high-end condos. That's not us. We're long-term holders, and hopefully that will create a nice, vibrant place and reduce some barriers to ownership, which could help the community. We very much intend to own everything here for a very long time.”
Although there is no time frame for development, there is a sense of urgency to go before the city for the comprehensive plan amendment application. The initial submittal to the city to begin the that process, Mathes said, could come as early as August. That process will include meetings with the Development Review Committee followed by public hearings before the Planning Board and eventually the City Commission for approval.
CORAL SPRINGS, FL – If you’re tired of the construction on Coral Ridge Drive in Coral Springs, you’ll have to live with it for another year or so.The 4.8-mile road improvement project on Coral Ridge Drive from Southgate Boulevard to Wyndham Circle is scheduled to be completed in late 2022, said Guillermo Canedo, communications manager for Florida Department of Transportation (District 4), which is overseeing the project.The good news: the work to widen the roadway for 6-foot bicycle lanes, construct sidewalks ...
CORAL SPRINGS, FL – If you’re tired of the construction on Coral Ridge Drive in Coral Springs, you’ll have to live with it for another year or so.
The 4.8-mile road improvement project on Coral Ridge Drive from Southgate Boulevard to Wyndham Circle is scheduled to be completed in late 2022, said Guillermo Canedo, communications manager for Florida Department of Transportation (District 4), which is overseeing the project.
The good news: the work to widen the roadway for 6-foot bicycle lanes, construct sidewalks at existing gaps, and reconstruct sidewalk ramps is ahead of schedule – it was supposed to be done in early 2023, he said.
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According to the transportation department, one lane in each direction will be closed, intermittently, along the stretch for the duration of the project between 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, for “concrete demolition, signalization, and curb and gutter operations, and roadway widening operations.”
So far, Canedo said, “excavation, material placement and compaction for the roadway widening has been completed.”
He added: “Structural asphalt for roadway widening is currently being placed. Signalization work is ongoing. The placement of the final asphalt layer as well as roadway striping, sign installation, swale grading, and sod restoration is still pending.”
The $7.6 million project, which started in mid-March, has had no setbacks related to the global-supply problem, he said.
Find out about other road construction projects in Coral Springs here.
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What is the housing market like in Sarasota today?In September 2023, Sarasota home prices were down 6.5% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $493K. On average, homes in Sarasota sell after 42 days on the market compared to 24 days last year. There were 157 homes sold in September this year, up from 130 last year....
What is the housing market like in Sarasota today?
In September 2023, Sarasota home prices were down 6.5% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $493K. On average, homes in Sarasota sell after 42 days on the market compared to 24 days last year. There were 157 homes sold in September this year, up from 130 last year.
Location
Sarasota, FL
$493,000
To compare other locations to the Sarasota and U.S. housing market, enter a city, neighborhood, state, or zip code into the search bar. Sarasota's median sale price is 17% higher than the national average. Overall cost of living in Sarasota is 5% higher than the national average. Learn which home features in Sarasota add value to a home.
Lakewood Ranch-based Benderson Development, the developer behind The Mall at University Town Center, has bought Crossings at Siesta Key for $25.1 million.The mall, previously known as Westfield Siesta Key and Southgate Mall, is 439,958 square feet and sits on 26.97 acres. Its current list of tenant includes anchors Macy’s and CMX CinéBistro as well as Connors Steak & Seafood, Talbots, LensCrafters, Loft and Chico’s.It is at 3501 S. Tamiami Trail at the intersection with Bee Ridge Road. Shaun Benderson, th...
Lakewood Ranch-based Benderson Development, the developer behind The Mall at University Town Center, has bought Crossings at Siesta Key for $25.1 million.
The mall, previously known as Westfield Siesta Key and Southgate Mall, is 439,958 square feet and sits on 26.97 acres. Its current list of tenant includes anchors Macy’s and CMX CinéBistro as well as Connors Steak & Seafood, Talbots, LensCrafters, Loft and Chico’s.
It is at 3501 S. Tamiami Trail at the intersection with Bee Ridge Road. Shaun Benderson, the company’s vice president, says in a statement that “the mall complements our local holdings.”
The purchase is the latest twist for a mall that’s seen its fair share of twists and name changes.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announced in December 2020 that O’Connor Capital Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, had taken over the Westfield Siesta Key mall.
URW, which at one point also owned Sarasota Square — which is about 7 miles south of the Crossings — and other malls along the Gulf Coast and across the country, began ridding itself of properties in the U.S. last year in part due to the hit it took during the pandemic, when its rental income dropped 29%.
The French company referred to the Crossings at Siesta Key as a “non-core” asset in its year-end 2020 financial statements.
That wasn't the case nearly 20 years earlier. Back then, in 2003, Westfield bought the Crossings at Siesta Key, for $62 million. A decade later, it failed to take decisive action to retain anchor Saks Fifth Avenue from leaving and numerous inline tenants — from Pottery Barn to Williams-Sonoma — exercised kick-out clauses in their leases and left, as well.
Many of the mall’s tenants relocated to Benderson’s then-new The Mall at University Town Center, which was developed by a joint venture with Taubman Centers. The $315 million mall opened in 2014.
Westfield then spent $8 million to renovate the Crossings at Siesta Key property, bringing CineBistro to Saks’ former space in 2016. A year later, Westfield announced plans to convert the mall into a “lifestyle center” with the introduction of a Lucky’s Market and four restaurants.
All but one of the restaurants has since closed, however, and Lucky’s left the center in early 2020 when it liquidated all its Florida stores. Discount grocer Aldi opened in Lucky’s former space last year, which has been owned since 2014 by Benderson following a $10 million transaction.
For its part, O’Connor had entered into ventures with Westfield and Washington Prime Group on 22 malls — including Westfield Siesta Key, Sarasota Square, Citrus Park, Countryside and Brandon — beginning in 2013, according to its website.
It acquired the Siesta Key center by buying a 51% equity stake from Westfield for an undisclosed amount.
Benderson officials did not announce its plans for the mall but say in the statement the company is known for turning underperforming properties “into thriving destinations that serve the needs and wants of the community.”
The purchase is the latest for University Park-based Benderson, which has been rapidly adding properties the past few years, including buying the Sarasota County administration building, which it paid $25 million for last year.
It also bought the 4.5 million-square-foot portfolio of 28 Fred Meyer grocery stores in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, Thrivent Financial’s headquarters in Minneapolis, and an interest in Duke Energy’s Metro Tower in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Association members are invited to attend an information session on June 22.Tucked away from the traffic spin of the South Tuttle Avenue roundabout, just north of Bee Ridge Road, sits the South Gate Community House. Even if you’re not familiar with its famous designer, Victor Lundy of the ...
Association members are invited to attend an information session on June 22.
Tucked away from the traffic spin of the South Tuttle Avenue roundabout, just north of Bee Ridge Road, sits the South Gate Community House. Even if you’re not familiar with its famous designer, Victor Lundy of the Sarasota School of Architecture, it’s easy to appreciate its unique lines and history.
It’s also easy to note it may have seen better days. After 65 years, and roughly $4,200 a month just to keep it open, the volunteer-powered South Gate Community Association struggles to maintain it, much less return it to its previous midcentury modern glory.
“We were in dire straits at the end of last year and we needed to get a loan from a member to keep us going to pay our bills. With the pandemic, we’ve been on life support,” says Dave Swenson, president of the South Gate Community Association. “There was $25 in the account in December.”
Built in 1956, the Sarasota County Commission officially designated the structure to be placed on the Sarasota County Register of Historic Places in 2007.
The center, located at 3145 Southgate Circle, has a fenced-in outdoor swimming pool, changing rooms, shuffleboard courts (with weeds poking through the concrete seams) and parking. A little less than four-and-a-half acres, the site has open green space with mature oaks, cedars and cabbage palms and a mangrove shoreline along Phillippi Creek. It houses the office of the South Gate Community Association where meetings are held, and is rented out for weddings, funerals and religious services that have been on hold during the pandemic, stemming the income it relied upon.
But even before the pandemic, talk of how to continue to fund the center had been brewing. In 2015, community members created the nonprofit The Foundation for the Preservation of Victor Lundy’s South Gate Community House in hopes of raising the monies to restore it, but the foundation was dissolved in 2019.
With the looming costs and pending need for essentials like a new roof and air conditioning system, each quoted for roughly $15,000, says Swenson, association members have been weighing a few options. Those included creating a special tax district within the South Gate community, selling it privately, or selling it to Sarasota County.
“We looked at grants and loans and one idea that came up was possibly selling to the county. The board of county commissioners set that process in motion to see if it qualified. And it did,” Swenson says.
If the county acquires it, preservation and maintenance of the existing historic building would be sought, with support from Sarasota County Historical Resources and local architectural nonprofits, according to the work plan. It would become a public park and “maybe have a playground, too. It’s not a large site, but may have a fishing pier, enhanced picnic areas and use of the water access as a public launch site,” says Nicole Rissler, Sarasota County Government’s director of Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources.
The biggest bone of contention for those who oppose the sale, however, is the fate of the outdoor pool, known as the oldest public pool in Sarasota County.
It would have to be demolished because “any publicly operated pool would have to have lifeguards on duty, and as a public entity, it just wouldn’t be cost-effective to run it,” Rissler says.
Pool access costs association members $150 a year per household. “Historically, we have about 80 members who use the pool, so it’s not a very large base, but they do love it,” says Seth Johnson, vice-president of the South Gate Community Association.
He added that at the time it was built, offering a community pool made sense and added value to area real estate, but today that allure has faded. Johnson says he is one of the few residents in the neighborhood who doesn’t have a backyard pool. For those without one, Rissler pointed out that the Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex is a nearby option.
Another argument against selling may stem from what some feel to be an unfairly low price tag—$170,000.
“It doesn’t seem like a good offer, but when you account for the building’s needs, it’s not bad,” says Johnson.
That’s because what’s needed to restore the building would cost much more.
“About a half a million dollars is our rough estimate for repairs of the building and demo of the pool, but that would not include the ongoing expenses to run it,” says Rissler.
And if the county buys it, the association would still be able to have its meetings there, free of cost.
At the scheduled June 22 meeting, active South Gate Community Association members, roughly 200, will have the opportunity to learn about the pros and cons of selling the property to the county. A quarter of them must vote to validate the outcome, whether in person or by proxy.
“Everyone will have to make a decision, but my opinion is that selling will help the association and the community. We’ll get to have a park. We can still have our meetings there without the burden of the monthly costs. But plenty of people would rather we maintain it ourselves. It’ll be up to the members to vote on how that goes,” Johnson says.
The discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the center. A South Gate Community Association member vote will be held on Tuesday, June 29, also at 6:30 p.m. Current association members unable to attend can vote here.
