The Publix will serve as a primary anchor for North River Marketplace, a 51-acre ground-up development designed to meet the needs of a rapidly growing residential population in southern Sarasota County. The project is located near Interstate 75 and is positioned to serve residents of Venice, North Port and surrounding communities.

North River Marketplace is planned to feature a mix of retail, dining and specialty service businesses, creating a centralized shopping destination for the area. Benderson Development has not yet released construction timelines or an anticipated opening date for the Publix location.

The addition of Publix at North River Marketplace reflects continued commercial investment in the Wellen Park area, which has seen steady growth fueled by new housing, roadway improvements and expanding amenities.

The post Benderson Development Plans New Publix Super Market for Wellen Park Area appeared first on Englewood Review.

“Wellen Wonderland is an unforgettable holiday celebration for the entire family that captures Wellen Park’s spirit of joy and community connections,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing for Wellen Park. “Guests enjoy a wide variety of unique events and experiences that celebrate the season of being together with family, friends, and neighbors.”

For full event details, visit wellenpark.com/wellen-wonderland.

Thursday, Dec. 4
Local School Performances, 6 to 7 p.m.: Students from across the community share the magic of music – from time-honored carols to holiday classics – during performances on the Solis Hall stage.
Ornament Decorating, 6 to 8 p.m.: Twinkling lights and downtown’s 80-acre Grand Lake provide the backdrop as families and friends create one-of-a-kind keepsake ornaments. Activity available while supplies last.
Live Holiday Music Under the Heritage Tree, 7 to 10 p.m.: Enjoy holiday tunes performed by Totally B under downtown’s beautiful Heritage Tree.

Friday, Dec. 5
American Sirens Holiday Performance, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.: Known for signature harmonies, captivating vocals and a timeless style, the American Sirens deliver an unforgettable evening accompanied by favorite holiday melodies.
Figure Skaters Performance, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Experience the magic of the season as talented skaters take to the ice for dazzling performances.
Tree Lighting with Santa, 6:15 to 6:30 p.m.: A Wellen Park holiday tradition, downtown sparkles to life during the annual tree lighting ceremony featuring a visit by Old Saint Nick. Gather by the Grand Lake as the switch is flipped on the community tree illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights, enjoy festive music, sip on seasonal treats and experience the magic as children visit with Santa. Registration is requested at wellenpark.com/wellen-wonderland.
Pictures with Santa, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Capture a keepsake moment to treasure for years to come. Families create cherished memories while children share their holiday wishes with Santa Claus.
Ashley Lux Band, 6:30 to 10 p.m.: Gather with family and friends for a joyful night of music, community and celebration as this Tampa-based band performs seasonal favorites and soulful tunes.

Saturday, Dec. 6
Caddy Carts Parade of Lights, 6 p.m.: The night’s festivities kick off with the annual golf cart parade featuring carts decked out in lights and holiday decor as they make their way down Wellen Park Boulevard. Cue the squeals of delight as children spy a special guest getting a lift to his chair.
Dueling Pianos,6 to 10 p.m.: This year-round favorite gets a holiday makeover as dueling pianists tickle the ivories head-to-head, performing festive favorites and crowd requests. Expect a high-energy night of audience interaction and plenty of laughter.
Pictures with Santa, 6:15 to 8 p.m.: Kids relay their holiday wish lists with Santa as you snap an Instagram-worthy photo, set to the sparkling backdrop of downtown.

Sunday Dec. 7
Derek Roura Trio, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: This talented threesome performs holiday music on the Solis Hall stage during the weekly farmers market.
Snow Party, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; There’s a 100% chance of snow flurries today as children of all ages enjoy Wellen Park’s unique Snow Party. Downtown’s splash pad transforms to a winter wonderland – no mittens required.
Pictures with Santa, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: It’s the final opportunity for a picture with Santa before he returns to the North Pole.
Glow Bike Ride, 5:30 p.m.: Cyclists deck out their bikes in LED lighting and dress to impress during this beloved annual tradition – the brightest ride of the season. Enjoy the sights and sounds of holiday music from sidewalks or follow the lead of sponsor Kind Vibe Outfitters while cruising through downtown all aglow. The ride begins and ends at Solis Hall. Full details, including a route map and link to register, are available at wellenpark.com/wellen-wonderland.

Music under the Tree, Crownz Duo, 6 to 9 p.m.: Enjoy holiday music during this festive performance by Branco Costa.

The post Wellen Wonderland celebrates the spirit of the holiday season appeared first on Englewood Review.

Officers attempted to stop the maroon pickup near U.S. 41 and Alligator Road in Venice. The driver struck a North Port Police vehicle, flipping it and injuring an officer’s shoulder. 

Witnesses reported seeing a helicopter following the suspect vehicle “the whole time” as it traveled miles along the Legacy Trail. One bicyclist on the trail “luckily got out of the way,” a social media post read. The truck, reportedly traveling without headlights, ran red lights, crossed medians, and at one point drove on the wrong side of the road.

Authorities deployed stop sticks near Central Sarasota Parkway and Macintosh Road, flattening all four tires. The suspect then fled on foot near McIntosh Road and Central Sarasota Parkway, where officers detained him shortly after.

Police recovered an AR-15 rifle inside the truck, which investigators said was registered to an individual currently incarcerated. The vehicle itself was not registered to the suspect.

Booking records show Colton Frank Corpus, 25, of Englewood, was arrested by the North Port Police Department. He faces multiple charges including fleeing and eluding police, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, reckless driving, driving while license suspended, failure to carry vehicle insurance, DUI, and refusal to submit to DUI testing. He remains in custody without bond at the Sarasota County Jail. An arraignment is set for December 5.

The North Port Police Department and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office both assisted in the incident, which remains under investigation.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as information is made available.

The post Police Chase Ends in Sarasota After High-Speed Pursuit from North Port appeared first on Englewood Review.

Among the most significant items on the agenda are multiple public hearings related to land use and zoning. In Venice, commissioners will review a set of ordinances tied to the Blackburn Court development proposal. The plan calls for amending the county’s Comprehensive Plan and Critical Area Plans to allow a mixed-use project south of East Venice Avenue and east of Jacaranda Boulevard. The proposal would permit up to 180 multifamily residential units and 10,000 square feet of office and retail space on roughly 10 acres, with a maximum height of 55 feet under a special exception.

In Englewood, commissioners will hold a public hearing to consider Rezone Petition No. 25-01 for property at 1407 East Manasota Beach Road. The proposed change would modify the zoning from OUE-2 and OPI with stipulations to an amended OPI district, along with a waiver request to reduce the required landscape buffer along the SR 776 Corridor from 50 feet to 20 feet. Another Englewood-related item, Special Exception Petition No. 1913, seeks approval for a wholesale plant nursery and landscape supply business on land north of River Road and east of Winchester Boulevard.

The agenda also includes a funding item authorizing $150,000 toward replacing an Englewood Area Fire Control District fire boat, using West Coast Inland Navigation District funds.

Other business for consideration includes a resolution to provide $500,000 for monitoring and maintenance of Midnight Pass, and a Unified Development Code amendment addressing voluntary freeboard and height requirements to improve flood resilience.

Public comment will be taken at the start and end of the meeting, with a three-minute limit per speaker. All public hearings require testimony under oath. Supporting documents and meeting access are available at www.scgov.net/meetingsondemand.

The post Sarasota County Commission To Consider Multiple Development and Policy appeared first on Englewood Review.

VENICE, Fla. — Downtown Wellen, the center of dining, shopping and entertainment in Wellen Park, is expanding with a new phase that will introduce restaurants, boutiques, wellness services and professional offices designed to serve residents and visitors alike.

“This next phase of Downtown Wellen reflects our commitment to creating vibrant, engaging spaces where people can connect and have conversations, whether they’re meeting for breakfast, enjoying a fitness class, browsing local shops or simply gathering with neighbors,” said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park. “These new additions were curated with resident feedback in mind and are designed to enrich everyday life and strengthen the sense of community that makes Wellen Park so special.”

Merchant openings are expected in spring and summer 2026. The second phase of downtown also includes plans for a boutique hotel, new luxury apartments and a dog park. The newest retail phase is fully leased.

Restaurants and Cafes
Easy Does It Comfort Kitchen will serve comfort food with a creative twist, offering burgers, hearty sandwiches and “monstah” tater tots from Chef Spiros Stogiannis. La Maison, an authentic French patisserie, will offer breads, pastries and croissants. Agave Bandido, a Mexican-inspired restaurant and tequila bar, will feature artistic murals and contemporary cuisine. Grain & Berry, known for superfood bowls, toasts and smoothies, will round out the dining lineup.

Retail and Lifestyle
Seaside & Co. will combine coastal-inspired clothing, home décor and a wine bar and lounge. Hudson Square Boutique, founded by Wellen Park resident Danielle MacConel, will feature women’s resort wear and accessories. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming will provide gourmet treats and grooming services for pets.

Health, Beauty and Wellness
James Griffith Salon will offer full-service styling and color treatments. Club Pilates will provide low-impact workouts for all skill levels. The Mattamy Homes Design Center will guide homebuyers through flooring, cabinetry, fixtures and finishes to personalize their homes.

Professional Offices
AvSKY, a private aviation brokerage, will join several new professional tenants, including Allstate Fisher Family Insurance, J&B Insurance Partners and Mattamy Homes’ Southwest Florida Division headquarters.

Phase II of Downtown Wellen includes two mixed-use, two-story buildings totaling 44,000 square feet, designed by Trapolin-Peer Architects of New Orleans. The ground floors will house restaurants and retail, with professional offices above.

The Wellmar Hotel, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio property, will also join downtown. The hotel will feature more than 120 rooms and a full-service rooftop bar. Future additions include new luxury apartments and a 2-acre fenced dog park with agility equipment, open space and shaded seating areas.

Wellen Park officials said the expansion continues their mission to foster community connections and provide spaces where residents can live, work and socialize in one place.

The post Wellen Park announces new retail and dining destinations in Downtown Wellen Phase II appeared first on Englewood Review.

The 20-acre site sits along the Myakka River, adjacent to Snook Haven Park and near Sleeping Turtles Preserve South. About six acres include mesic hammock and riverine habitat with native vegetation such as oaks, southern red cedar, cabbage palm, beautyberry and wild coffee. The property had operated as a campground for 40 years.

Plans call for reopening it as a riverfront campground with improved utilities, better accessibility, and new connections to Snook Haven Park and other nearby preserves.

Funding for the acquisition came through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program and the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program. Both voter-approved, taxpayer-funded initiatives were created to protect natural lands and parklands under Sarasota County’s Land Acquisition and Management Program. This marks the first joint purchase between the two programs.

“This acquisition highlights the county’s ongoing commitment to preserving diverse ecosystems and continuing the legacy of conservation for our community. It’s especially meaningful to reach this milestone during the 25th anniversary year of the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program,” said Nicole Rissler, director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.

Since 2000, more than 42,000 acres have been protected through the program, including 32 environmentally sensitive areas. The lands provide habitat for native and threatened species such as gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jays, bald eagles, manatees and a variety of native plants.

Residents are invited to celebrate the milestone at Sarasota County’s Environmental Lands Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 15 at Deer Prairie Creek Preserve (South Entrance), 10201 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.

More information is available at SarasotaCountyParks.com/LandAcquisitions

The post Sarasota County marks 100th land acquisition through conservation program appeared first on Englewood Review.

The public hearing is set for Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center in Venice. The petition, filed under case number RZ 25-01, seeks to change the zoning of the parcel at 1407 East Manasota Beach Road from OUE-2 (Open Use Estate, one unit per two acres) and OPI (Office, Professional and Institutional) to CN (Commercial Neighborhood).

County officials said the proposal, if approved, would allow for neighborhood-level commercial development at the site, which lies near the intersection of SR776 and Manasota Beach Road. Interested residents may review the petition and supporting documents during normal business hours at the Planning and Development Services Department, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota. The materials will also be posted online on the Friday before the hearing at www.scgov.net under “Planning Commission.”

Residents can submit written comments to the Planning and Development Services Department or email them to planner@scgov.net prior to the meeting. The hearing could be continued if necessary.

In accordance with the Sarasota County Charter, applicants are required to disclose true ownership interests in the property. That disclosure is available for public inspection at the Planning and Development Services office.

For more information, call 941-861-5000.

The post Hearing Set on Manasota Beach Road Rezoning Near FL776 appeared first on Englewood Review.