New Stores/Restaurants Added to UTC

It was announced this week that two more well known chains are adding their name to the University Town Center roster; Zales and Mandarin Express. Zales is looking to join Omega, Swarovski and Edward Benier, along with anchors Macy’s, Dillard’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Apple. They just submitted an application to the Mall, and are waiting for complete confirmation. Mandarin Express …

Benderson Park Hosts FSRA Championships

Sarasota’s own Benderson Rowing Facility was the host of this past weekend’s Florida Scholastic Rowing Association’s Sweep Championships. Hundreds of high school students competed in the 2-day championship all here from various parts of the state. Students from Manatee County, Sarasota, and Hillsborough County, as well as students from Miami, Jacksonville and Gainesville all competed. There were over 42 clubs and …

Harvard Rowing Practices at Benderson Park

With the influx of winter storms and crazy cold weather, the Harvard men’s rowing team has found a new practice location here in Sarasota. Since many of the rivers in Boston are currently frozen, the team was given 10 days in sunny Sarasota to do some practicing and training. They split their time between the Nathan Benderson Park, and Fort …

Benderson Park to Co-Host 2018 NCAA Rowing Championships

Nathan Benderson Park has been chosen to co-host the 2018 National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Rowing Championship with the University of Central Florida. This is another one of many high profile sporting events being drawn to the Sarasota/Bradenton area thanks to the park. This event will draw in about 3,000 athletes and fans over the course of 3 days in May of …

Nordstrom Rack Grand Opening!

Last week marked the grand opening of Nordstrom Rack! WRA provided full service civil engineering and construction management services for the recently executed building expansion at the Shoppes of UTC to accommodate the new Nordstrom Rack.  The plan consisted of a 15,000 SF expansion overtop existing drainage areas and utilities that were retrofitted for the building expansion without impeding existing …

American Eagle Coming to UTC

It was announced earlier today that the Mall at University Town Center has secured the retail chain American Eagle Outfitters. The Pittsburgh-based retailer  specializes in ‘current’ men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. Mall developers are hoping it will  draw a more youthful demographic. American Eagle has already started posting job openings for the new location on their website.   Other confirmed …

Benderson Park Earns Another Award

Last week, Nathan Benderson Park and Sarasota County were recognized by the International Economic Development Council. They  were honored with a Silver Excellence Award in Economic Development at the IDEC’s Philadelphia conference. The county and park took home the title in the public-private partnership for communities with populations of 200,000 to 500,000 category. The IDEC’s excellence in economic development awards recognize the world’s …