Development

Local officials, attorneys and community leaders gathered in Venice to warn that state preemption and developer influence have eroded meaningful local control over growth, citing laws like SB 180 that limit regulation and weaken environmental protections.

Demolition has not been scheduled for the nearly 70-year-old beach hotel.

The overall bill that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed earlier this year included a series of measures aimed at helping the state recover from three hurricanes that made landfall in 2025.

Once complete, Amara Bay will feature 415 luxury apartments, an 8,000-square-foot restaurant and a 150-slip marina.

The law effectively freezes local land-development regulations and comprehensive plans through Oct. 1, 2027, and was made retroactive to Aug. 1, 2024.

Geoffrey Zakarian, widely known for starring in Iron Chef America, Chopped and The Kitchen on The Food Network, will helm the newly named Central Hotel’s flagship restaurant.

The situation raises questions about the balance between local autonomy and executive power in Florida.

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.