Benderson Development wants more flexibility to redevelop the former Sarasota County Administration Center, a vacant downtown office building on 2.88 acres at 1660 Ringling Blvd.
GTE Florida built the six-story office building in 1973, and Sarasota County later turned it into its headquarters. Benderson bought the property from the county in December 2021 and leased it back until the county moved out in October 2025. The building is empty now, and a development boundary still cuts through it. Benderson wants to move that boundary by extending Downtown Core across another acre of the property.
Moving that acre into Downtown Core would double the number of homes allowed there, from 25 to 50, and raise the height limit from five to 10 stories. It would also roughly double the amount of nonresidential space allowed, from 217,800 to 435,600 square feet, opening the door to office, retail, hotel and entertainment uses.
Benderson narrowed its request after meeting with nearby residents. The company held community workshops in 2023 and 2025, along with a three-day Laurel Park design charrette in 2023, then removed the parking lot south of Morrill Street from the proposal and reduced the area covered north of the street. The southern lot would continue serving the building.
The Sarasota Planning Board backed the revised request in a 5-0 vote July 8, and city planning staff also recommends approval. The City Commission takes it up Aug. 17, when four of the five commissioners will need to vote yes for the comprehensive plan amendment to pass.