Gulf Gate Library collection headed to the mall

Sarasota County commissioners this morning will consider a contract with Sarasota Shoppingtown LLC to lease space in Westfield Sarasota Square Mall to temporarily house the Gulf Gate Library collection.

The library will operate out of a 20,092 square foot space next to JC Penny if the County Commission approves the $138,000, 25-month agreement, which would begin next month. The site matched the county’s search criteria, which included a minimum of 8,000 square feet of space with at least 75 available parking spaces.

County staff found that locations with correct zoning for the temporary library facilities ranged from the spot in the mall at $3.25 per square foot to $21 per square foot annually. Funding for the lease is available in the 2013 fiscal year budget, but has not been earmarked for the subsequent year.

For more information pick up a copy of the Nov. 15 issue of the Pelican Press.