100-Year-Old Sarasota Building Avoids Demolition, For Now

SARASOTA, FL — A 100-year-old building in Sarasota has avoided demolition and will remain intact — at least for now.

The City of Sarasota’s Historic Preservation Board voted to tear down Mira Mar Plaza, multiple news outlets report.

According to WFLA-TV, the city’s senior planner recommended the denial Tuesday due to its significant history within Sarasota.

Seaward Development, a Sarasota-based boutique property development firm is currently under contract to purchase the Mira Mar building on Palm Avenue from the longtime property owner, according to a news release from the company.

Because the building is in need of extensive repairs, the developer wants to demolish the plaza and ultimately replace it with a larger commercial/residential 10-story building, WWSB-TV reported.

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• Mira Mar Building Could Be Torn Down By Sarasota Real Estate Developer

The Sarasota County Property Appraiser has assessed the building's value at approximately $2 million and repairs needed exceed more than $22 million, the developer said.

Disappointed in the board's decision, current Mira Mar owner Dr. Mark Kauffman said in a statement that, “If demo is not allowed, we will allow leases to run out over the next two years then close the building and fence it off, and allow it to decay as we cannot afford the repairs anymore.”

Erin DeFazio, the president of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, told Sarasota Magazine that Kauffman's comments were out of line.

“The threat of neglect if a building permit is not approved is appalling,” DeFazio said.

If Seaward Development appeals the Historic Preservation Board’s decision, the matter would go before the city commission, according to the magazine. If that still didn't work in their favor, they could make their case in court.