UPDATE: JFCS buys downtown Sarasota building

Jewish Family and Children's Service of Sarasota Manatee's purchase of prime downtown Sarasota property was made possible by a $1.8 million from the Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust.

“We were deeply disturbed by the closing of the Flanzer Jewish Community Center which was completely beyond our control since the JCC was a tenant of and substantially dependent upon the Jewish Federation," said Gloria Flanzer in a news release. "After the closure of the JCC, Louis and I searched for another opportunity to meaningfully support the Sarasota community.”

Renovations are slated to begin later this year with a ribbon-cutting planned for 2014.

Earlier: After a lull following the Great Recession, real estate continues to change hands in downtown Sarasota.

Jewish Family and Children's Service of Sarasota Manatee Inc. (JFCS) bought the building at the northeast corner of Ringling Boulevard and Indian Place  from Conforto Ringling LLC for $1.375 million Sept. 16. The property last sold for $1.625 million in 2008, and $3.35 million before that in 2003.

"Jewish Family & Children's Service is a multi-function family agency serving The Suncoast of Florida. The services are based on the premise that personnel trained in understanding the behavior and environments of individuals, can help them with crises, problems, and growth issues to improve the quality of their lives," according to the organization's website.

JFCS Vice President of Development Andria Bilan said it is too premature for the organization to comment.