After being destroyed beyond repair during Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, the City of Sarasota’s popular waterfront bait shop, Hart’s Landing, was razed on Monday, Nov. 10. It is a significant loss to the community dealt by Mother Nature.
The City intends to restore the docks and rebuild the Hart’s Landing structure. Currently, the City’s Parks and Recreation team is reviewing viable, sustainable options. With the intent to rebuild on Sarasota Bay, it will be a lengthy process. Environmental protection and resiliency will be key components, requiring design plans and the permit approval process to be coordinated with multiple government agencies, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Federal Emergency Management Agency and possibly others.
Hart’s Landing has been a fixture in our coastal community for a century. Residents have fond memories fishing and boating there and more recently, enjoying it as a live music venue. That rich history will not be erased. It will take time, but the City intends to rebuild a better, more sustainable bait shop.
