South Trail Perspective - Winter 2018

The segment of Tamiami Trail, or U.S 41, from its intersection at U.S. 301 (or Washington Boulevard) south to Stickney Point Road has always been an extremely desirable business location in Sarasota. In addition to the 57,000 vehicles that travel the roadway daily, community anchors such as Sarasota Memorial Hospital solidify traffic and generate activity. Added to that, high-income residential neighborhoods provide the area with a steady stream of customers and business opportunities. One downside, from a retailers’ perspective, is that a significant portion of the frontage is zoned for office space only. While this ensures consistency, it also frustrates merchants who wish to operate in what is a very desirable area. Given the constraints and a lack of new supply, values have increased significantly. One office building in the area recently sold for $300 per square foot, marking a recent high value point. South of Siesta Drive on Tamiami Trail the zoning changes to general commercial, which allows for shopping centers and also opens the area to retailers who want to take advantage of the high traffic counts and access the buying power of the surrounding neighborhoods. One complaint we hear, however, is that many of the buildings in the area in question are obsolete, and while many have been updated through renovations, the general aesthetic is not what it could be. Additionally, overhead power lines that are visible south of Siesta Drive add a confused and cluttered look that is often corrected with redevelopment.