Eight months ago, the county commission approved a plan for45,000 sf of commercial space and 180 multifamily apartment units.The revised plan, which is expected to be approved by the fullcommission on Jan. 8, increases the commercial space to 52,500 sfand reduces the number of residential units from 180 to 170.

The changes also call for eliminating a parking garage and arecreation building, and adding an open-air entrance that willallow people driving by the project along U.S. 41 to see deep in tothe Mediterranean-style project, which is located on the south sideof East Tamiami Trail, or US 41 Highway, at the intersection ofSandpiper Street and Davis Boulevard--the city's southernmostthoroughfare to Interstate I-75.

Kim Minarich, spokesperson for developer Jack Antaramian, tellsGlobeSt.com that the additional commercial space was added to theproject after the firm did an informal survey of residents in theimmediate area and found that there was a large demand for retailspace.