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🍦 Obsidian Tower Tumble, Memorial Day Specials
Best Things To Do in SRQ: 5/22 - 5/25
Carson B
May 20, 2025
Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!
This week, I’m on vacation with my fiance so I’ll kept it short and sweet but. As always, I really appreciate hearing from you all — answer the poll below if you can.
In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:
Thanks for reading,
Carson
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📰 Local News
🏗️ Obsidian Obstructed: Sarasota Says No to Tower Plan
The Sarasota City Commission has reversed its earlier approvals for the proposed Obsidian condominium tower, putting the brakes on what would have been the city’s tallest residential building.
Why it matters:
The 18 story, 327 foot tower planned for 1260 North Palm Avenue was slated to include just 14 luxury units. Neighbors in Bay Plaza pushed back, saying the tower’s scale did not fit the area.
Details:
The commission voted 4 to 1 to uphold the appeal
Mayor Liz Alpert was the only vote against, saying the proposal met all city criteria
Residents opposed three key zoning adjustments:
Less required façade coverage
Shallower habitable space
Reduced retail frontage
Zoom out:
Opponents argued the use of “interstitial space” — tall, hollow areas between floors — made the building far taller than it appeared on paper.
What’s next: Developer Matt Kihnke says he will take the fight to court, claiming the building complies with all zoning laws.
The bottom line: For now, Obsidian is off the table, a major win for local residents concerned about the downtown skyline.
🔦 Spotlight: Honor the Fallen 🇺🇸
Memorial Day is a special opportunity to honor those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Sarasota has a number of events and ceremonies that help you do just that.
Here are a few Memorial Day ceremonies for the patriotic readers that would like to go out and honor our military heros.
Bradenton’s Annual Memorial Day Service
🕦 9am | 🔗 details
Sarasota Memorial Day Parade
🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Military Heritage Museum Memorial
🕦 11:30am | 🔗 details
Knights of Columbus Memorial Day Picnic
🕦 11:30am | 🔗 details
Thursday
Animal Encounters: Turtle Time
📍 Mote Aquarium | 🕦 8:30am | 🔗 details
Wildflower Walk
📍Carlton Reserve, Venice | 🕦 9am | 🔗 details
Pinot & Pottery
📍10670 Boardwalk Loop, LWR | 🕦 5pm- 7pm | 🔗 details
Masterchef JR Cooking Class
📍George Mullen Activity Center, North Port | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
Tribute to the BeeGees
📍Sarasota Opera House | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Friday
Ride and Paddle (Guided Tour)
📍The Bay, Sarasota | 🕦 8:30am | 🔗 details
Comedy Show: Jimmy Shubert
📍McCurdy's Comedy Club | 🕦 | 🔗 details
Saturday
Sarasota Farmers Market
📍Lemon and Main Street, Sarasota | 🕦 7am - 1pm | 🔗 details
Sarasota Memorial Day Flag Placement
📍Sarasota National Cemetery | 🕦 7:30am | 🔗 details
📍Mote Aquarium | 🕦 8am | 🔗 details
Annual Memorial Hike
📍JD Hamel Park | 🕦 8am | 🔗 details
MCR's Health Fair
📍Ringling Museum | 🕦 10am - 2pm | 🔗 details
Dip Netting in the Bay
📍Mote Aquarium | 🕦 11am | 🔗 details
Memorial Day Freedom Crawl
📍Main Street, LWR | 🕦 12pm - 5pm | 🔗 details
St. Armands Fine Art Festival
📍St. Armands Circle | 🕦 All weekend | 🔗 details
United We Stand: Memorial Day Concert
📍Church of the Palms, Sarasota | 🕦 4pm | 🔗 details
Patriotic Pops: Salute to the Greatest Generation
📍CoolToday Park | 🕦 5:30pm | 🔗 details
Sunday
AquaPalooza 2025
📍New Pass Sandbar | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
LWR Farmers Market
📍Waterside Plaza, LWR | 🕦 10am - 2pm | 🔗 details
Sundays at The Bay
📍The Bay, Sarasota | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
PLAN AHEAD
Live Show: Leanne Morgan
📍Van Wezel | 📆 June 4th - 5th | 🔗 details
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