A 145-room hotel and 91-unit apartment building could replace a long-vacant grocery store on South Tamiami Trail if Sarasota's Planning Board approves a redevelopment plan for Midtown Plaza.

The board will hold a public hearing on the proposal Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers, according to the meeting agenda. Development review planner Camden Jenkins will present the application to the board.

Plan Would Demolish Former Winn-Dixie for Mixed-Use Development

The project, filed as Site Plan Application No. 25-SP-10, would redevelop roughly 3.32 acres at 1325 S. Tamiami Trail. The plan calls for tearing down about 45,860 square feet of commercial space, including a former Winn-Dixie that closed in 2018, and building the hotel, apartments, about 1,861 square feet of retail, a parking structure and surface parking.

Twenty-three of the 91 apartments would be designated as attainable housing units.

Redevelopment Covers Portion of Larger Property Anchored by Michael's On East

The property owner is Midtown Associates, led by principal Gavin Meshad, the Your Observer reported in January. The redevelopment covers 5.57 acres of the broader 7.51-acre Midtown Plaza property, which is anchored by Michael's On East restaurant. The existing Starbucks outparcel and the northern portion of the plaza would remain.

Retail Space Shrunk During Review Process

The retail component appears to have shrunk during the review process. The Your Observer cited 5,800 square feet of retail in January. The current agenda lists about 1,861 square feet within the apartment building.

The site is zoned Commercial General District with a Future Land Use designation of Urban Mixed Use. Vehicles would continue to access the property from Prospect Street and S. Tamiami Trail, with a new entrance proposed on East Street.

Project Cleared Development Review Committee in June

The city has been reviewing the proposal since about mid-2025, according to the Your Observer. The Development Review Committee gave a partial sign-off on Jan. 21, and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported in late June that the committee granted full approval, clearing the project for the Planning Board.

Hearing Is One of Three Quasi-Judicial Items on Sept. 9 Agenda

The hearing is open to the public. Anyone who wishes to speak will be required to take an oath, and the board will set time limits for comment. The Midtown Plaza application is one of three quasi-judicial items on the Sept. 9 agenda, alongside the continued 1000 North Sarasota Members Club application and a new proposal for Wine Concierge at 1224 Boulevard of the Arts.