• Former mayoral candidate Mike Weinstein is remaining coy over whether he’ll make a run for state attorney. The final day to qualify for the upcoming election is July 16, and Tuesday morning Weinstein said: “It’s really difficult to say, and there is a lot to consider. I’ve really enjoyed myself since the last election and I don’t have any regrets. If I had to make a decision today, I’d have to say no.” And what if he had to make a decision tomorrow? “Hmmm, let’s just say something substantial would have to happen first.”
• Though local developer Mike Langton’s plans to renovate the old Barnett Building for mixed use isn’t happening overnight, a project he’s leading further south is making waves. A condominium development, 1350 Main Street in downtown Sarasota, sold every unit but one in less than 90 minutes.
• The City knows it’s going to pay at least $2.6 million for back payments to its elected officials’ State pensions, but City Council president Lad Daniels said it’s still up in the air who will pay the interest on the payments, some of it stretching back to 1975. Daniels estimated the interest payments could push the bill to around $5 million. The City’s consolidated government had been ruled exempt from making the payments. However, the attorney general’s office reversed that opinion in February, putting the City on the hook for the back payments.
• After meeting with Mayor John Peyton last week to discuss her plans for LaVilla, City Council vice president Elaine Brown said she’s happy with the progress being made. “We’re at the next step,” she said. “Peyton said our plan makes sense and he’s committed to helping us find the dollars to do this.” Calling for mixed-use development throughout the subdistrict, Brown said JTA and the Florida Department of Transportation are also working to make the project a reality.
• David Talbert, formerly of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, has opened his own law office at 2741 White Oak Lane.
• The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida has redesigned its website. Take a look at www.flmb.uscourts.gov.
• Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra music director Fabio Mechetti joins WJCT news director Tom Patton tonight at 8:30 p.m. on Ch. 7’s “Jacksonville Exchange Special Edition.”
• Workers on the downtown main branch library project say the outside work should be wrapped up in about two weeks.