SARASOTA, Fla. — Community members in Sarasota are planning a rally to save a nearly 100-year-old building that could be facing demolition.
The Colson hotel is named after Sarasota’s first Black resident Lewis Colson.
“This was the place that athletes and entertainers would check in to a hotel for an overnight stay or a stay for a couple of days when they could not check in to white hotels,” Vickie Oldham with Sarasota's African American Cultural Coalition said.
Fast-forward nearly 100 years later and the building still stands, but it's boarded up.
“You know it's not pretty inside, but it can be restored,” Oldham said.
JDMAX Developments' managing partner Joseph Lovett disagrees.
“Since 1926 to now, it probably has the same paint on it since then. You say you care for it, you say you want it, but that doesn't display that to me,” Lovett said.
The owners presented a plan to the historic preservation board back in April. Citing extensive damage, they proposed demolishing the hotel, building townhomes on the site, and placing a historical marker out front. The request concerned many community members.
“This is certainly one of very few. It's very unique in terms of its scale and use. There are no other African American hotels remaining in this city,” Lorrie Muldowney with Sarasota’s Alliance for Historic Preservation said.
The board denied their request, but it's being appealed.
“As it is now, it's not at its highest and best use and that's all we're trying to do is move it to the next best level,” Lovett said.
The managing partner said he's willing to sell this property for $2.3 million and he's willing to put $600,000 of his own money towards helping someone purchase it. He said there's been a lot of talk, but no action.
“There's always hope. That's why we're trying to put together a group of persons with a newfound interest to revitalize it and create at least affordable house or attainable rentals, so that we can keep this building here in this present location,” Former Sarasota mayor Fredd Atkins said.
Right now, community members said they are speaking to several people about purchasing the property. They are encouraging folks to join them Tuesday at 8:30 outside city hall to rally against the appeal.