Sarasota officials seek hotel proposals

The Sarasota City Commission approved an “invitation to negotiate” for developers who want to build a hotel on a vacant Palm Avenue parcel next to a newly-built parking garage.

So far three developers have expressed interest in building a hotel on the site: Benderson Development Co., Strategic Investment Corp. and Dr. Steve Bedi.

City Manager Bob Bartolotta says he'd like to have a contract by June. One requirement for each bidder is to begin construction within 16 months.

— reporting by Robin Roy, correspondent