🍦Construction Updates & Labor Day Events

Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!

Last call for some August beach days! Hope you can take advantage of the holiday weekend to spend some extra time outside. I know I will.

Next week, I’ll be releasing the Sarasota Scoop Brewery Guide. Heading into the fall season (and football season) I hope to add a few spots to your hit list.

Are there any must see spots you think I should be sure to include? Let me know!

In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:

• Local headline roundup

• Tons of local events!

Thanks for reading,

Carson

🧠 Think You Know Sarasota? Trivia!

📰 Local Headline Roundup

University Parkway Roundabout Sparks Pushback

The Manatee County Commission voted 4-3 to approve a $3.2 million roundabout at University Parkway and Legacy Boulevard. The decision slipped through on a consent agenda with no public discussion, and now residents and two commissioners are crying foul.

Commissioner Bob McCann says the process may have skirted Sunshine Law and wants the Attorney General involved. Locals like Carol Cooper are digging into records and hinting at changes come 2026. But county staff say everything was done by the book, and supporters warn backing out could cost taxpayers big.

20-Story Tower Proposed for Downtown Gateway

Developers are pitching a major redevelopment for the corner of U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue, right where the Palm Avenue parking garage sits. The plan calls for tearing down the garage and putting up a 20-story mixed-use tower with a hotel, residences, and retail. The proposal also includes a 578-space parking garage to replace what’s lost, plus some extra spots. The design has already been submitted for city review, and if it moves forward, it would reshape one of the most visible corners of downtown.

Thursday

Art on Film | Eva Hesse

📍Sarasota Garden Club | 🕦 2pm | 🔗 details 

2025 Grand Expo

📍Robarts Arena | 🕦 4:30pm | 🔗 details

Open Jam Night

📍Big Top Live | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details 

Friday

45th Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition

📍Sebly Gardens, Downtown | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details

Live Music at the Plaza

📍Waterside Place | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details

Don't Touch That Dial

📍Venice Theatre | 🕦 7:30pm | 🔗 details

Movie: The Apartment

📍Sarasota Opera House | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details 

Saturday

Ride and Paddle (Guided Tour)

📍The Bay Park | 🕦 8:30am | 🔗 details 

Self Myofasical Release Series: REset & REstore

📍See details | 🕦 1pm | 🔗 details 

Labor Day 77th Annual Regatta

📍Sarasota Sailing Squadron | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details 

Sarasota Jungle Gardens Labor Day

📍Sarasota Jungle Gardens | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details 

Live Music: Phoenix 5

📍Big Top Live | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details

Beautiful Loser, The Ultimate Seger Tribute

📍Sarasota Opera House | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details   

Comedy Show: Steve White

📍McCurdy's Comedy Theatre | 🕦 Multiple shows | 🔗 details      

Sunday

Brunch at The Bay featuring Live Music

📍The Bay Park | 🕦 8am | 🔗 details

Starstruck - Gene Kelly's Love Letter to Ballet

📍Sarasota Opera House | 🕦 1:30pm | 🔗 details 

PLAN AHEAD

Labor Day Pig Roast

📍See details | 📆 September 1st | 🔗 details

The Nutcracker in Venice

📍Venice Performing Arts Center | 📆 Dec 12th | 🔗 details

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