G. WIZ, City Move Forward After Relocation Debate

is staying put and the city will begin lease negotiations after the museum is under compliance with the city’s grants policy.

The brew-ha-ha between G. WIZ and Sarasota City Commissioners began two weeks ago during a review for vacant city-owned parcels that could be sold. 

and prompted commissioners to brainstorm a package with the G. WIZ property if the museum could be swayed into relocating inland as suggested by Commissioner Shannon Snyder. 

“The idea [G. WIZ] would be sold on the steps was never the intenion of anyone at this table,” Commissioner Paul Caragiulo said.

But it’s all a moot point.

Not only can the beside G. WIZ, but the museum’s land can’t be sold either.

Vice Mayor Terry Turner said staff also found that the land G. WIZ is on is on an encumbered submerged land lease with the state that prevents a sale.

Former commissioner Ken Shelin, who is also an advisory G. WIZ board member, chided the commissioners for even talking about what G. WIZ could be like at a different location without research.

“I believe some research before the suggestion became before the commission table would have prevented some angst,” Shelin said.

“Please don’t use regular commission meetings for brain storming,” he later added.

Kelly Lear, incoming G. WIZ board director, said donors and board members became nervous when the commission had its discussion and didn’t have G. WIZ at the table.

She added that the neighboring lot is used for the museum’s aquatic science programs where visitors gather samples to bring into the lab. 

Snyder did suggest at the April 2 meeting a workshop to address vacant parcel with the G. WIZ idea considered, but was made after the suggestion of talking with the county to aide relocation.

The commission didn’t exactly offer a mea culpa, but more of a clarification of what they meant at the April 2 meeting, 

“Let’s take a deep breath to see where this goes,” Caragiulo said.