Longboat Key commissioners will vote Monday on agreements for a Sarasota County library at Town Center Green, where the county has committed $11 million for design and construction and private donors have raised more than $3.5 million for a larger meeting room and outdoor terrace.
The agreements spell out who pays for those additions, who maintains the library and how long Sarasota County can use the town-owned property at 600 Bay Isles Road. The lease would run for 50 years, with three possible 10-year extensions that could keep the county-run library there for as long as 80 years.
Sarasota County started with $1 million for design during its fiscal 2023 budget process, then increased its commitment to $11 million for design and construction. Longboat Key wanted more community space than the original library plan offered, including a larger multiuse meeting room and an outdoor terrace connected to the Town Center Green event space.
Those additions came with another $3.5 million in estimated costs. Rather than scale them back, Longboat Key launched a private fundraising campaign for what it called the “Community Hall.” The campaign ended in 2025 after beating its $3.5 million goal, and town staff said the meeting room and terrace are being designed into the project within budget.
Donations would pay for the added community spaces, but the town would cover any shortfall if the private money does not cover their final cost. Town documents do not say exactly how much the campaign raised, only that donations topped the $3.5 million target.
Once the library opens, Sarasota County would pay the utilities and most maintenance costs. Longboat Key would take care of the grounds and exterior landscaping, interior custodial work and periodic pressure washing under a maintenance agreement that could also run for as long as 80 years.
The land stays with Longboat Key. Sarasota County would use the Town Center Green site to build and operate the library for the initial 50-year term, with each of the three 10-year extensions requiring both governments to agree. Once the lease ends, any improvements left on the property would become the town’s.
Town staff recommends approving all three agreements after several years of planning between Longboat Key and Sarasota County. Commissioners will consider the funding, maintenance and land deals at their Sept. 14 meeting.