5 Things: Old Police Station To Be Demolished

1. The wrecking ball is coming into town this morning when the former Sarasota Police Station, 2050 Ringling Boulevard, will see the beginning of its final days. The station will be demolished over the next 60 days. 

A slight increase in truck traffic and noise in the area should be expected, with work occurring Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The contractor will spray the demolition area with water to help keep dust to a minimum.

Built in the 1950’s, the Sarasota Police Station served police officers, administrative staff and the public until 2010 when the current SPD Headquarters opened adjacent to it. The old building lacked space and had become antiquated.

2. The City Commission will consider Tuesday installing a Disc Golf Course at Payne Park. The sport, played with various sizes of flying discs and the idea is being brought up by Bryan Moore, who is the state's Professional Disc Golf Association coordinator, and the plan could cost $6,000 to implement.

3. Pay what you want to see a play tonight. The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training opens The Robbers by Friedrich Schiller tonight with a special pay-what-you-can performance. Tonight only, audience members are invited to attend a production of The Robbers and pay whatever they feel comfortable paying for their ticket.

The Robbers is a new adaptation by Klaus van den Berg, and runs through March 11 at the Cook Theatre in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

4. The Florida General Assembly is working to approve this year's sales tax holiday. If approved, a three-day sales tax holiday will happen from Aug. 3-5. State sales tax will be exempted for certain clothes (employee uniforms, school clothes) that cost $75 or less and school supplies that cost $15 or less. The House of Representatives approved a bill on Feb. 15, and still needs to be approved by the Florida Senate and signed by Gov. Rick Scott. 

5. HuB Sarasota is rolling out a new Web series, Saratopia and is teasing it with this clip. Want to learn more about the series? Visit saratopia.com to sign up to view the first episode when it's released.