Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement reopens One Park investigation

This is a developing story. We will update it as more information is released.

5:15 p.m. May 10

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has confirmed it has reopened the investigation into alleged improprieties regarding a contact between an investor in One Park in The Quay and Planning Board member and architect Michael Halflants.

In an email, a representative of the FDLE's public information office wrote: "FDLE has received new information and has reopened our preliminary inquiry into the allegations." 

This development occurred within hours of One Park being tentatively scheduled to resume a legislative hearing before the Planning Board on July 12. 

11:11 a.m. May 10

The state investigation into alleged improprieties regarding the developer of the proposed One Park condominium development in The Quay and a Sarasota Planning Board member has been closed. 

In a letter dated May 9 to Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson wrote that the preliminary inquiry is closed at this time. The SPD referred the investigation to the FDLE shortly after it came to light that Planning Board member and architect Michael Halflants had been in contact with One Park investor Jim Bridges about possible work on an unrelated project.

That revelation halted the public hearing process before the Planning Board until the investigation was concluded.

“It was undetermined at that time if the job offer was meant to influence Halflants’ vote as a member of the city Planning Board,” the letter reads. “FDLE agents reviewed records of interviews by SPD detectives and then conducted a series of additional interviews of people relevant to the complaint. Those interviews failed to identify evidence of a criminal predicate.”

In addition, opponents of the project informed FDLE that the developer of One Park, Property Markets Group of Miami, had pledged a sizable donation to a city cause if the project is approved, alleging it is tantamount to a bribe.

“During the course of the inquiry, FDLE agents received a separate allegation regarding donations pledged by One Park developers to the Sarasota City Foundation, which is led by City Commissioner Erik Arroyo,” the letter reads. “A review of material provided also failed to identify evidence of a crime.”

During the April 12 Planning Board meeting, Deputy City Attorney Michael Connelly told board members the legislative public hearing over One Park’s request for an amendment to the general development agreement of The Quay that would allow One Park to submit a site plan for a building that spans across Quay Commons above a breezeway.

When the hearing will be placed back on the Planning Board's agenda has yet to be determined. When it is, the it will make a recommendation to the City Commission on whether the development plan should be amended. 

Separately, the air rights legal challenge brought by residents of Block 6 in The Quay is scheduled to be heard by Judge Hunter Carroll of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in August.