OUR MISSION
The Newtown CRA is committed to preserving the community’s legacy and building a vibrant future through thoughtful planning and community-driven development.
Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency
ABOUT
Established in 2006, the Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was created to support revitalization efforts for the City of Sarasota’s Newtown Community Redevelopment Area, 838 acres across North Sarasota. Guided by a redevelopment plan adopted in 2008 and updated in 2020, the CRA works to honor Newtown’s rich history while driving projects that improve quality of life for residents.
With a 40-year mission, the Newtown CRA is committed to preserving the community’s legacy and building a vibrant future through thoughtful planning and community-driven development.
Newtown Redevelopment Plan
ABOUT
The Newtown Redevelopment Plan is a roadmap for transformation—crafted with community voices at the center.
This plan outlines long-term strategies for economic development, housing, cultural preservation, public space improvements, and more. It reflects our shared commitment to inclusive growth and honors the legacy of Newtown while laying the foundation for a more connected, thriving future. Learn how this guiding document shapes our work and supports a more equitable Sarasota.
Marian Anderson Place Redevelopment
The City regards the Marian Anderson site as a significant parcel and a transformative redevelopment opportunity for economic advancement within the Newtown community and the broader City.
The City of Sarasota acquired the Marian Anderson Place site in April 1944. The site functioned as an unlicensed landfill until the early 1960s. A Purchase and Sale Agreement ("PSA") was executed between the City and Newtown Gateway LLC as Buyer, and a Brownfield Site Rehabilitation Agreement was jointly filed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to initiate site remediation.
Currently, Newtown Gateway LLC and the City are actively collaborating in good faith to meet the commitments outlined. The PSA recognizes the Buyer's plan to subdivide the property into two separate parcels: a northern parcel earmarked for development as a healthcare clinic and medical office complex, which is an allowable use by right under the current zoning regulations; and a southern parcel designated for light industrial purposes, which requires a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and rezoning.
Active Developments in Newtown
Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition
After years of planning and negotiations, the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC) has secured a path forward for its long-anticipated African American Art Center and History Museum.
The Sarasota City Commission this week approved an Option to Purchase agreement, allowing SAACC to acquire city-owned land for the project at 1556, 1560 and 1580 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, in Newtown.
This center will become a landmark for African American history and culture in Sarasota. Current plans include housing permanent exhibits on the African American experience. There will also be space for traveling exhibitions, and a performance venue. Local artists, poets and musicians will help make this a destination for education and thoughtful conversations about Black History.
Active Developments in Newtown
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Programs, Grants & Initiatives
From small business support and affordable housing efforts to infrastructure upgrades and beautification projects, the Newtown CRA is committed to empowering residents and revitalizing the neighborhood through programs that create lasting impact.
Containing approximately 838 acres, the Newtown CRA is located in the northern part of the City of Sarasota and generally bounded on the north by Myrtle Street; bounded on the south by 17th Street; bounded on the west by the North Tamiami Trail (US 41); and bounded on the east by the City limits.
Stay Connected to the Rhythm of Newtown
Stay connected to the rhythm of Newtown—sign up for the Newtown CRA newsletter for updates on community projects, events, and opportunities to get involved with projects shaping the neighborhood’s future