Latest news with #NicoleRissler
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sarasota County can expand Indian Mound Park after buying adjacent hurricane damaged house
Sarasota County will spend about $1.3 million to purchase a small site next to Indian Mound Park in Englewood, as part of its Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program. The new lot would add 105 feet of bay frontage to the park. A county plan said the property could be used for public fishing, birding, launching of canoes and kayaks, and parking after the existing house on the site is demolished. The County Commission approved the purchase at its May 20 meeting. Indian Mound Park in Englewood is mainly used as a boat launch into Lemon Bay; the 0.68-acre property the county aims to purchase at 200 Winson Ave. is the first house to the park's north. The county first attempted to purchase the property in 2015 but couldn't agree on a price. However, after the house and 100-foot dock were damaged by the 2024 hurricanes, the property was again nominated for the parkland acquisition program and county officials were able to close the deal. The site costs the county $750,000; the Sarasota County Property Appraiser's office valued the land at $549,100 in 2024. Beginning in 2026, operation and maintenance costs will come from Sarasota County's Environmentally Sensitive Land Fund. Nicole Rissler, the county director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, wrote in a memo that the land could enhance public water access in Englewood and expand Indian Mound Park. Christian Casale covers local government for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Email him at ccasale@ or christiancasale@ This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County to add 105 feet of bayfront to Indian Mound Park
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Long-awaited Edson Keith Farmhouse restoration project complete
The Brief The Edson Keith Farmhouse restoration project is complete. The project was supported by grants from Florida's Division of Historical Resources and the funds raised by the Phillippi Farmhouse Market which has contributed $428 thousand dollars toward the restoration of the Keith Farmhouse. It's part of Phillipi Estate Park, a 60-acre park along Phillippi Creek in Sarasota. SARASOTA, Fla. - Sarasota County held a ribbon cutting for a relic from 1916, a farmhouse built by an industrialist from Chicago who found paradise on the shores of Phillipi Creek. The two-story clapboard farmhouse was built by Edson Keith, a prominent Chicago businessman, but the farmhouse was just part of his estate. "They actually lived in it while they were building the mansion," says Nicole Rissler, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources at Sarasota County Government. The backstory The Italian Renaissance Keith Mansion was previously remodeled. It's open for tours seasonally. However, the farmhouse was a project for the future. READ: USF researchers develop new tool to predict where sargassum seaweed washes ashore "This has been 20 years in the making," says Rissler. "We've restored and done all kinds of things to the mansion over the years, but the farmhouse has been a long-awaited project." The project was supported by grants from Florida's Division of Historical Resources and the funds raised by the Phillippi Farmhouse Market which has contributed $428 thousand dollars toward the restoration of the Keith Farmhouse. It's part of Phillipi Estate Park, a 60-acre park along Phillippi Creek. The park hosts community events, historical preservation, and environmental conservation. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Lloyd Sowers. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
