Ringling withdraws site plan for Longboat Key Art Center

The Longboat Key Center for the Arts

When residents of Longbeach Village spoke out against the new proposed Art Center building, saying its modern design would not fit in with the historical nature of the Village, Ringling decided not to file a reuest for an amendment and extension of its existing site plan.

The Ringling vice president of finance and administration, sent a letter April 6 to Town Planner Ric Hartman withdrawing a request for the amendment to go before the town’s Planning & Zoning Board which was scheduled for April 17.
The  Ringling was seeking to amend its existing site plan that was approved in 2003, before the Arts Center and Ringling College merged. That site plan, which would have allowed the Arts Center to build a new structure in its current green area to be used as gallery space, was amended in 2009. The Arts Center’s newly created Advisory Council will address the topic next fall.