Development

Manatee officials say that SB 180 has hamstrung them when it comes to protecting the county's natural resources.

Manatee County’s grassroots Republican commissioners, elected on promises to slow runaway growth, have found themselves in a pitched battle with Gov. Ron DeSantis and the developers aligned with his administration.

The project could bring additional housing for students, faculty, and staff - plus, a hotel, an academic research building, stores, restaurants, and green space for recreation.

Residents are accusing their elected board of lavish spending, nepotism and a lack of transparency — from hiring family members for paid positions and awarding no-bid contracts to insiders, to throwing exclusive themed parties on the homeowners’ dime.

The 100-year-old building in St. Petersburg was a hub for the African American community, entertainment and culture until it closed three years ago.

The expansive garage nearly doubles the number of parking spaces in St. Petersburg’s booming EDGE District.

Founder Cesar Hernandez hopes the district will attract private businesses with a focus in technology, defense systems, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Suncoast Searchlight studied property appraisals and tax bills for more than 300 homes across these special districts to create a first-of-its-kind dataset comparing their annual fees to the property taxes they pay for city and county services.

A Sarasota-area community’s effort to save its golf course by forming a special-purpose government district and issuing $24 million in public bonds has devolved into a bitter, yearslong feud over cost, governance and transparency.

The city recently approved construction of twin 31-floor apartment towers on downtown property once earmarked for a Moffitt Cancer Center. However, Mayor Ken Welch says Moffitt is not out of picture.

If Sarasota city commissioners approve the condo, Bay Plaza residents say they’ll take the fight to circuit court — a move that could push their costs far higher and prolong the battle for years.

Officials say many homeowners don’t understand what they’re getting into and are then left with few options to fight back when decisions turn contentious.