Plans submitted for shopping center revitalization

SARASOTA — Benderson Development Co. filed redevelopment plans with Sarasota city officials on April 28 for the Town and Country Plaza shopping center at the northwest Corner of Beneva and Fruitville roads.

According to a YourObserver.com article, Benderson filed a two-phase redevelopment plan. The first phase included tearing down the former Sweetbay building at the shopping center and constructing a new 46,000-square-foot grocery store on the site. The second phase included constructing a retail building closer to Beneva Road not exceeding 5,000 square feet with 150 seats and 10 employees.

Miami Beach-based Gator Investments owns the part of the shopping center where Kmart recently closed. In the Observer article, Gator Investments Vice President of Retail Leasing Dina Bartoletta says, “From what we understand, Publix is going into the Sweetbay property.” The Sarasota Observer is a sister paper of the Business Observer.

Benderson didn't respond to requests for comment from the Observer and Publix officials didn't confirm the plans.