At 4644 N. Tamiami Trail, applause echoed beneath the winter sun as civic leaders, nonprofit partners and future neighbors gathered to celebrate a milestone years in the making: the official opening of New Trail Plaza Sarasota.
The $31 million development brings 96 affordable apartment homes to Sarasota’s North Trail corridor — a stretch long discussed as a key piece of the city’s growth story. Less than two years after breaking ground in June 2024, the community is already more than halfway occupied, with families moving in and settling into what many are calling a long-awaited opportunity.
What once sat as surplus county land, identified in 2020, has been transformed into two modern residential buildings designed for working families across a range of incomes. Apartments are reserved for residents earning 30%, 60%, and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), offering 37 one-bedroom, 51 two-bedroom, and 8 three-bedroom layouts.
From Surplus Land to Community Anchor
For city leaders, the ribbon cutting marked more than a construction milestone — it represented momentum.
“Providing attainable housing is one of the Sarasota City Commission’s highest priorities,” said Sarasota Mayor Debbie Trice. “I am thrilled to see New Trail Plaza come to life and become ‘home’ for 96 families. This development proves that, through creative public-private partnerships, we can bridge the gap for families at various income levels. I want to thank the entire development team for their persistence in seeing this vision through; these 96 units represent 96 new opportunities for Sarasota families to thrive.”
That spirit of partnership was a central theme of the day. The development came to life through a collaboration between affordable housing developer Blue Sky Communities and nonprofit Community Assisted & Supported Living (CASL), alongside funding partners including Sarasota County’s ARPA program, the City of Sarasota, Truist, First Housing, and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
“The completion of New Trail Plaza is a testament to what happens when the public and private sectors share a vision,” said Shawn Wilson, President of Blue Sky Communities. “By placing quality, affordable housing in the urban core, we are ensuring that Sarasota’s hardworking families can live close to where they work and learn.”
More Than Housing: A Built-In Support System
Beyond brick and mortar, the project places heavy emphasis on community support. Amenities include a clubhouse, business center, activity room, playground, and a dedicated Family Center space — plus an on-site CASL office to provide direct services.
“The Family Center space is available for children and family-serving agencies to help provide education and support for families on parenting, financial literacy, parent/child bonding, tutoring, and more,” said Phillip “P.J.” Brooks, COO at CASL.
The ceremony itself reflected the community-centered approach. Sarasota County Commissioner and Vice Chair Mark Smith delivered the invocation, followed by a personal story and song from his wife, Esther Smith. Remarks were also shared by Scott Eller, CEO of CASL; Sarasota County Commissioner Teresa Mast; and Lesli Carroll of Truist — underscoring the cross-sector commitment behind the project.
Professionally managed by Carteret Management, Inc., New Trail Plaza signals a broader transformation along the North Trail — one that blends culture, business, and housing into a more accessible urban core.
For Tampa Bay readers watching regional growth patterns, New Trail Plaza Sarasota stands as a reminder that thoughtful development isn’t just about units — it’s about opportunity. And for 96 families, that opportunity now comes with a front door key.
