The next phase of The Bay — the popular downtown Sarasota park along Sarasota Bay by the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — will include a waterfront restaurant that could open in late 2027.
Bay Park Conservancy CEO A.G. Lafley briefly addressed the restaurant, which is in Phase 2, when he updated the Sarasota County Commission April 21 on the progress being made at the 53-acre waterfront park.
He also pointed to a significant increase in parking spaces for boat trailers for Centennial Park, which is part of Phase 3 of The Bay, located at 1055 Boulevard of the Arts.
The primary result of the meeting was direction by the board for County Administrator Jonathan Lewis to ensure that $282,875 is earmarked in the 2027 fiscal year budget for the ongoing project.
Commissioners expressed wariness because the main funding for the $100 million-plus project comes from property taxes, which may ultimately be reduced or eliminated by the state legislature.
What is The Bay park in downtown Saraota?
Dubbed Sarasota’s “One Park for All,” The Bay is being developed as a public-private partnership between the city, county and the nonprofit Bay Park Conservancy.
The first phase opened in October 2022, with more than 14 acres of green space, a tree-shaded mangrove bayou walkway, a mini amphitheater and a paddle launch.
Phase 2, which is currently under construction, will transform another 14 acres and is anticipated to cost $65 million.
The overall park project could be developed in at least four phases, with a projected cost of $175 to $200 million.
When will The Bay’s first restaurant be built?
The first restaurant will be operated by Venice Pier Group, which previously won the bid to operate The Nest Cafe, the concession stand at The Bay serving breakfast, lunch and snacks — as well as beer and wine — most days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m..
As many as two other restaurants may be built as part of The Bay.
The yet-to-be-named waterfront restaurant will be located south of the 10th Street Boat Ramp, opposite Centennial Park.
“Two sides of it are on the water,” said Venice Pier Group President Justin Pachota, who has visited the site to scope out potential sunset views.
Patrons may easily arrive by boat, with day docks planned along the south side of the canal.
“You’ve got a nice sunset view across the bay over towards the St. Armands area,” he added.
The menu will be similar to Fins at Sharky’s, the upscale sister restaurant next to Sharky’s on the Pier — the landmark beachfront restaurant and bar at the base of the Venice Fishing Pier, opened in 1987 and owned by Venice Pier Group.
“That’s the model we kind of pitched,” Pachota said. “That style will do well, where it’s polished casual.”
Pachota envisions a Florida-friendly vibe and a menu offering steaks, seafood and sushi, with the restaurant open for both lunch and dinner.
The 300-seat restaurant is being designed by Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors, which has offices in downtown Sarasota and St. Petersburg, according to the company’s website.
The waterfront dining destination would include an outdoor patio.
One rendering shown to the Sarasota County Commission called the business “The Rusty Anchor,” but that’s not the future name.
Pachota said that the working title came about because an old rusty anchor was found near the site.
How is The Bay funded?
The Bay has been funded 50-50 between private funds and philanthropy and public funding.
The lion’s share of the public funding comes from bonds that are backed by proceeds from a tax-increment financing district.
That district sets aside funds generated from property tax appreciation in the district for projects used for development.
For the 2025-26 fiscal year, the TIF funding will total $4.855 million, including $1.54 million from Sarasota County taxes and $3.3 million in city taxes.
The nonprofit also receives state and federal grants, as well as backing from area foundations.
Lafley noted that 1.1 million people have used park facilities at The Bay, including 110,000 in the first three months of this year.
In March, the park received two grants that will fund more than $10 million in resilience and flood protection improvements.
Much of that work will be accomplished in 2026 through early 2027.
Earle Kimel primarily covers local governments in Sarasota County as well as land development and environmental issues for the Herald-Tribune. Follow him on Facebook, and X. He can be reached by email at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New waterfront restaurant planned for downtown Sarasota park
Reporting by Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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