Venice in 2007

    EYE on 2007

Well here we are, entering 2007, a new year filled with hope and promise for our wonderful city.  There are many issues that stand to be resolved...or at least addressed in the coming year. 

Here are some things to we look forward to as we begin 2007 with a clean slate:

• Growth management - the city and county, as well as the City of North Port, are all working toward a Joint Planning agreement  for future growth in the area.  Many people, including myself, were/are attracted to Venice and southern Sarasota County because of the small town feel and the many wonderful attractions and destinations at our disposal.  As more and more people discover Venice, growth is inevitable.  The county is concerned that the cities may be committing the county providing services that the county is not prepared to deliver, and the cities, rightly, want to be able to approve growth that makes sense.  Heres hoping that common sense will prevail and they can come to an agreement that makes sense for all.

• Insurance - lets hope that all that campaign talk of addressing the insurance rates was more than just that, and that the special legislative session in Tallahassee provides the basis for some real relief. 

• Airport Development - discussions  are ongoing regarding potential development at the Venice Municipal Airport, from marinas and hotels to saving the old Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus arena.  I do not have any preconceived ideas about what should happen here, I will have to see the plans and presentations first, but heres hoping that whatever is proposed and approved, if anything, serves to add to the desirability of our community and makes sense.

• The new Starbucks at Center and  the Bypass - I guess that means that Venice has arrived!  Look for the opening in the summer of 2007. 

• Speaking of coffee, heres wishing the best of luck to Manolis Makris (who allegedly has the best cup of coffee in Venice) as he prepares to move on after 10 years as the vendor at the Venice Beach Pavilion.  It is a bittersweet moment for us, the new owners, Charles and Betty Alban, are well known to area locals, and we hope that Manolis can find a suitable opportunity to serve his existing clientèle.

• Cone Zones - the Center road project is slated to finish in the spring of 2007. The project on Tamiami Trail (41) in Nokomis has suffered a number of setbacks...lets hope they are all behind us at this point. Click on the link below for a complete rundown on current road projects in the area.

• The Real Estate Market - We begin 2007 with over 2 years worth of single family homes in inventory.  (Watch for our monthly market activity report in the next few days)  The number of homes coming off the market without selling (expired and withdrawn listings) is still very high. Interest rates have bucked most experts predictions and remained low, lets hope that trend continues in 2007, and our peers in the Real Estate industry can do a good job educating sellers that the prices they may have gotten in 2005 are no longer available.  I have to thank Rusty, one of our Exit agents for the following comment, "the buyers have not left the market, but much of the value has".  I know that sounds brutal, but it is true in many cases. There are some great values out there, and those properties are selling. We'd like to see the inventory down to around 6 months by this time next year............

Well, between the road construction, insurance and the real estate market, I think we have set a high bar for 2007, so I will quit my wish list here, but let's not forget about the many wonderful things that we enjoy as residents of Venice and Sarasota County. We will be keeping an eye on these things and many others, so check back often!

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