Downtown developer Jesse Biter said Monday that downtown zoning codes, which keep urban living out of the financial grasp of young professionals, will pose a bigger threat to downtown Sarasota’s economic future than the proposed changes to Sarasota’s 2050 plan. The Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations held a Monday-night panel discussion titled “Urban Services, Urban Realities,” featuring Biter, Downtown Improvement District board member Eileen Hampshire, Downtown Sarasota Alliance board…
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Differing visions for the future of downtown Sarasota
Major development is coming back to downtown Sarasota. After a lull in building thanks to the recession, several luxury high rises are slated to be built. But some are warning that if the city wants to stay relevant, it can’t just cater to the ultra-wealthy. Local experts say a recovering economy and pent-up demand are fueling the soon-to-be building boom downtown. But they say that in order to move the…
Read MoreJesse Biter shares his downtown Sarasota vision at Lakewood Ranch
Entrepreneur Jesse Biter took his vision for a more vibrant and affordable downtown Sarasota to this master-planned, city-in-the-making. His Thursday breakfast speech went over well, even considering the receptive crowd — about 130 members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, most of whom depend at least in part on the continued success of the 33,000-acre planned community. Biter, who sold a $2.5-million-a-month automotive sales software system to Auto Trader Group…
Read MoreJesse Biter: Entrepreneur and downtown booster
Jesse Biter, 37-year-old tech entrepreneur and founder of the mega-successful Dealers United, has been grabbing headlines as a friend of innovators and downtown activist. Owner of the HuB, a business incubator with a high cool factor, he’s been buying up downtown property with the intention of developing affordable housing for young people; he’s also aggressively supported a pro-business commission and a ban on panhandling. What are downtown Sarasota’s strengths? “We…
Read MoreSoftware entrepreneur plans pub next to the HuB
Software entrepreneur Jesse Biter wanted a place downtown to have a beer after work with friends and co-workers, but the 36-year-old just couldn’t seem to find the right hangout. Mattison’s on Main Street often is too crowded for him. The Sports Page is closing to make way for condos. Smokin’ Joes is, well, too smoky. So Biter decided to build his ideal place himself. Biter, a multimillionaire who has acquiring…
Read MorePlans for downtown Sarasota, and means to bring them to life
It is 6:54 a.m. when the sun wakes Jesse Biter as it peeks through the windows of his four-bedroom penthouse. Within minutes, his two girls, ages 10 and 11, scamper through the $3.85 million Marina Tower condominium downtown. Biter cooks them breakfast; it reminds him of his own childhood. Driving the girls to the Bay Haven School of Basics Plus will likely be the only time Biter will use his…
Read MoreJesse Biter: Bring on the people, and votes, for a livelier city
By JESSE BITER, Guest Columnist Downtown Sarasota is nice, but it could be so much better. Downtown needs a new vision for a new generation. The old vision may have worked for an era, but it has run its course. I didn’t notice this 12 years ago when I drove from South Carolina to Miami with plans to go on to Texas. When I found Sarasota, I knew I had…
Read MoreJesse Biter keeps buying up downtown Sarasota
Two companies belonging to Sarasota software millionaire Jesse Biter have just shelled out $4.075 million to purchase nearly 18,000-square feet of retail space on Sarasota’s Main Street. Biter’s company LanHole LLC first bought a 9,700-square-foot retail building at 1564 Main Street in Sarasota for $2 million with help from a $1.5 million loan from Gateway Bank. Then Downtown Project LLC, another Biter company, spent $2.075 million to buy the adjacent…
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