Women’s Exchange Site Plan – Laurel Park Overlay Notice

We have received notice of a community meeting to be held to discuss a site plan for alterations to the Women’s Exchange building located at 539 South Orange Avenue and 526 Rawls Avenue.

This building originally housed the Sarasota Herald Tribune, and is listed on the national historic register.

Proposal

The proposed site plan includes demolishing and replacing the south wing of the building (the portion that abuts Rawls Avenue), and adding a new 1 story addition to the north of the main structure (at the intersection of Cherry Lane and Rawls).

The new building on Rawls would include a new loading dock for the Exchange..

Process

As per our agreement with the City of Sarasota to establish a Laurel Park Overlay District, residents of Laurel Park will have two opportunities to weigh in on the proposed plan’s appropriateness for our historic neighborhood.

The first public meeting to review the proposal will take place on Wednesday, April 30, at Sarasota City Hall, and all neighborhood members are invited to attend.

Concerns

A number of residents and property owners on Rawls and Cherry have expressed serious reservations about the proposed relocation of the Women’s Exchange loading dock from the Exchange’s parking lot to the new building to be erected on Rawls.

An informal gathering of effected residents was held on April 24. Based upon feedback from that meeting, a letter from Kelly Franklin, President of the Laurel Park Neighborhood Association, has been drafted and will be submitted at the April 30 meeting.

Next Steps

Residents and owners who would like to express their individual concerns are encouraged to attend the meeting on April 30, and / or, submit a letter outlining the issues they see with the proposed site plan.