Sarasota County pulls out of $18.1M Stickney Point Plaza deal

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Plans to turn a prime piece of waterfront property near Siesta Key into a public park are now off the table after Sarasota County commissioners voted to terminate an $18.1 million purchase agreement.The county was planning to buy the two-acre Stickney Point Plaza property near the south Siesta Key Bridge and transform it into a public waterfront park.But commissioners voted 3-2 Wednesday to walk away from the deal, citing multiple title issues and concerns about the potential costs and legal hurdles involved in moving forward.County staff identified several issues with the property’s title, including a federal easement held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.Staff also identified unresolved access and utility rights involving a neighboring condominium association.Commissioners said accepting the property without clear title could leave the county responsible for years of legal and regulatory issues, as well as potentially significant additional costs.“If we don