Benderson Development’s interest in acquiring historic building prompted several board discussions over past year
A 4-1 vote of the Sarasota County commissioners on May 5 appeared to end a saga that began more than a year ago regarding the 261 S. Orange Ave. home of the nonprofit Architecture Sarasota in downtown Sarasota.
Commissioner Teresa Mast cast the “No” vote during the board’s regular meeting that day, which was held in Venice. As she has in the past, Mast stressed the need for the commission to make the most money possible from the sale of county property that has been declared surplus.
“I think the actual sale of this is what we need to do,” she began. “I think the current potential buyers would be incredible stewards of it, because I think the historical integrity of this is important,” Mast told her colleagues…