► The Sarasota City Commission approved a partnership agreement with the Van Wezel Foundation for the planning, financing, design and construction of the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center to be located in Bay Park. (Pictured above)
► Sarasota Orchestra has agreed to buy a 32-acre, undeveloped site on Fruitville Road, between Cattlemen Road and Honore Avenue, for a new performance venue.
► Shumaker partner Jason Collier will become the firm’s regional leader for the labor, employment and benefits service line.
► 7978 CCB 14, a special purpose entity associated with Benderson Development, purchased a mixed-use commercial property that includes retail space and residential units on Siesta Key for $1.8 million.
► The Bay Park Conservancy, a nonprofit organization responsible for overseeing the redevelopment of 53 acres of city-owned land along Sarasota Bay, promoted William Waddill to chief operating officer.
► The law firm of Fergeson Skipper added Mary Lou Chuinard as firm administrator.
► Manatee County Habitat for Humanity appointed Stacie Mason, human resources director for the city of Sarasota, to the board of directors.
► The Van Wezel Foundation promoted Suzanne Hudson-Smith to the newly created position of director of leadership and legacy giving.
► Jag Grewal of Ian Black Real Estate facilitated the sale of the Baymont by Wyndham hotel at 1425 S. Tamiami Trail, in Sarasota, for $8 million.
► Nucleus Security, a Sarasota-based cybersecurity firm, secured funding in the form of $20 million via series B funding led by Lead Edge Capital, to help accelerate product development.
► Chicken Salad Chick, a fast-casual chicken salad restaurant, plans to open at 5434 Lockwood Ridge Road, Bradenton.