This is sad news for the students living here and really for the whole community.

The Sarasota Herald Tribune says:

Tradition goes to highest bidder

SARASOTA — Despite its lack of central air conditioning and the unfortunate ratio of seven bedrooms to two bathrooms, a two-story house on a shaded corner of 47th Street has maintained a certain allure, even as the city around it modernized.

"The 47th Street House," as it is known, was built in north Sarasota by a New College student for New College students with a minimalist joie de vivre.

It is an unusual twist on the wave of foreclosures that is uprooting people across the country, particularly in Florida. And a handful of the tenants at the 47th Street House say its sale at the county courthouse this morning marks the end of an institution.

They learned Monday that they must move out 10 days after the sale.

From some photos of the house click here

Quoting from the Agenda for the December 21, 2005 Development Review Committee Meeting...

The next DRC meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the City Commission Chambers at Sarasota City Hall (1565 First Street). The following items will be discussed:

Pre-Application Session

North Trail Eight-Acre Residential (4229, 4309, 4415, 4416, 4675 & 4685 N. Tamiami Trail): Proposes a 250-unit multi-family residential condominium complex with appropriate parking and amenities on a ±7.92-acre site currently zoned NT [North Trail] and RMF-2 [Residential Multiple Family-2]. (Joel Freedman, applicant’s representative).

17th Street & US 41 Residential (1716 & 1750 N. Tamiami Trail): Proposes redevelopment of a ±2.42-acre site zoned NT [North Trail] to a 72-unit multi-family residential condominium complex with appropriate parking and amenities. (Joel Freedman, applicant’s representative).

46th Street & US 41 Residential (4685 N. Tamiami Trail): Proposes redevelopment of a ±6.2-acre site zoned NT [North Trail] and RSF-3 [Residential Single Family-3]. A portion of the site will be a 114-unit multi-family residential condominium complex with appropriate parking and amenities. The balance will consist of a 9-lot single-family development. (Joel Freedman, applicant’s representative).

250+72+114=436 !!! The North Trail needs redevelopment I will certainly be interested in learning the details of these projects. I would love for these condos to be in a pretty affordable price range. We need more good housing for students and graduates to stay in Sarasota...