Another tin-ear Sarasota decision?

The city of Sarasota's reputation in some circles as being hostile to business interests has been earned through years of frustrating, head-scratching decisions.

Like the times the city follows the whims and wants of a small group of people, instead of doing real leadership that requires tough and sometimes unpopular decisions.

So Coffee Talk wasn't necessarily surprised to hear a potential partnership to operate a soundstage and a filmmaking studio between a local private college and the city fell through — even though the bulk of the financial risk would have fallen mostly on the school. The potential arrangement called for the city to lease its Municipal Auditorium to the Ringling College of Art and Design, which would turn it into a soundstage for students and outside production companies.

Ringling President Larry Thompson says a soundstage is a priority goal for the college, which launched a digital filmmaking program three years ago. “The sooner we can get one,” Thompson tells Coffee Talk, “the better.”

Moreover, a soundstage and film studio that can draw businesses and buzz is precisely what economic development leaders say Sarasota needs, especially if it's to wean itself off its reliance on tourism and real estate.

Yet there Thompson was April 16, withdrawing his request to study the feasibility of using the auditorium in a letter to city officials. The official reason was that a consultant reported to the city and the school that there could be technical and logistical issues turning the 73-year-old building into a workable soundstage.

While that's true, another issue lurked. That issue, of course, was the loud response of a small group of people who have used the auditorium for trade shows and flea markets over the years. “Obviously,” Thompson says, “there had also been a major uproar from the community.”

And city leaders quickly used that uproar for cover. That and Thompson's letter put an end to the discussion.

Thompson says he would still like to work with the city to find a suitable location for the soundstage. As it is, Thompson says he hears almost everyday from local developers and real estate agents who have available land and space. None of those sites, however, have appealed to the college.

“I don't have a real good solution for it right now,” says Thompson. “We might build it ourselves.”