04/21/06

The beginning of the much-hyped revitalization of Nokomis for the 21st century is about to begin.

Finergy Nokomis LLC's designers have created a rendering of the development they are proposing to change the appearance of and upgrade the property at the southwest corner of Albee Road and Tamiami Trail in Nokomis.

As a first stage the company is holding a public workshop from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, at Nokomis Community Center on Nippono Trail, Nokomis, at which representatives will inform neighboring residents, discuss the concept, seek comments and answer questions on the application they will be filing with Sarasota County for the 4.1-acre parcel.

The former gas station property, 180 South Tamiami Trail, has stood derelict for some years. Finergy's intentions are illustrated in the rendering: the creation of a fine, architecturally appealing design with mini-towers fronting the Trail and at the entrance to the hotel. It could herald the Naples look for Nokomis.

"We have finalized the breakdown of what we are planning for our new development on the property and will be sharing this with the community by holding the community workshop," confirmed Eric Collin, Finergy vice president.

The mixed-use project's plans call for a development that features a hotel with 75 rooms, 16 residential condominiums and 14,000 square feet of commercial space. Negotiations are in progress with a national hotel franchise and national restaurant companies for what will be a prestige location when the six-laning of U.S. 41 that's under construction is completed in 2008.

In the fall of 2005 Collin estimated that with the high cost of the land, developing the site with enclosed drainage would have a finishing budget of more than $11 million.

His Sarasota company completely renovated a former assisted living facility along Fruitville Road into Homewood Suites for Hilton Hotels and it owns land in South Venice that may be developed for residential purposes.

By Roger Button

BUSINEWS Columnist

http://www.venicegondolier.com/NewsArchive3/042106/tp3vn9.htm