Whitney Beach Plaza is under contract. In breaking news, the four-acre Whitney Beach Plaza on Longboat’s northern end is under contract by an Atlanta-based developer, according to Engels Volkers Realtor Tina Rudek. Rudek, the listing agent, said the buyer’s due diligence period closes at the end of July, and that the developer’s identity must remain confidential until closing. Rudek did say the developer intends to completely renovate and revitalize the plaza’s 35,000-square-feet of air conditioned space and will attempt to keep the current tenants in place while adding a recognized name gourmet supermarket as the anchor. Several names have been rumored including Whole Foods and Fresh Market.
Rudek says the redevelopment would be an economic boon for Longboat’s struggling north end business community. She said the developer will seek the cooperation and approval from the town in its revitalization plans. Rudek also says that she has a back-up offer in place. The current property owner, Andrew Hlywa, is excited at the prospect of someone coming in and completely investing and revitalizing the plaza he has owned and maintained over the past decade. While the sale price is undisclosed, the property was listed with Rudek for $ 7 million.
Longboat’s oil spill headquarters? – In another piece of news, the Whitney Beach Plaza may be destined in the short term for another use. Hlywa and St. Armands businessman Bobby Eddington have teamed up and fashioned a proposal that was formally submitted to British Petroleum to utilize Whitney Beach Plaza as a designated staging and response headquarter for Longboat Key, in the event that the oil spill dictates an official response in our area. For Hlywa, the plaza makes a perfect fit because its proximity to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal, and the sheer amount of parking and staging area available, as well as unused resources such as walk-in coolers, restrooms and kitchen facilities. Eddington initiated the effort and said he received no indication of BP’s intentions, but he believes his and similar initiatives may prove instrumental if the oil comes to shore
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Tags: BP, british petroleum, developer, Engel & Volkers, Engels Volkers, Gulf of Mexico, Intracoastal, Longboat, Longboat Key, oil spill, Tina Rudek, Whitney Beach
