Group behind 42-acre project hits $2.1M fundraising target

SARASOTA — The Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization reached its $2.1 million fundraising goal to pay for a professionally prepared master plan for the development of the 42-acre Sarasota Bayfront.

According to a press release, nearly 60 donors invested in the planning initiative. Several foundations provided financial support, including The Patterson Foundation, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation.

The funds will be used to hire the leadership team as well as planning and design firm Sasaki, a statement says. The Sarasota City Commission will review the master plan in fall 2018.

The Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization is a nonprofit formed in 2016 to advance the development of city-owned land along the Sarasota Bayfront.