Community rallies to save landmark African American hotel in Sarasota

Colson Hotel to be preserved

FOX 13's Kim Kuizon reports on community efforts to preserve the Colson Hotel, which was built in 1926 and was the first hotel to serve African American people in Sarasota.

SARASOTA, Fla. - At 1425 8th Street in Sarasota, you’ll find a piece of history that will live on.

"If you don’t understand our past, we can’t move into our future," said Dave Baber, the President of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation.

The Colson Hotel as it currently sits in Sarasota.

The Colson Hotel is a part of the history of Overtown, now called the Rosemary District.

Built in 1926, the hotel was the first in the African American community.

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Earlier this year, the historic hotel was at risk of being torn down by a developer.

Opposition from the community led Sarasota City Commissioners to deny the request.

Now, several groups, including DreamLarge, The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, The City of Sarasota, and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation,n have formed a Community Development Corporation to purchase the property.
"Through a collation of community stakeholders, we are able to protect, preserve, and ultimately acquire this building to ensure it stays in perpetuity for generations to come," said Anand Pallegar.

A picture of the Colson Hotel from when it was operational nearly 100 years ago.

The founder of DreamLarge, Pallegar, sees endless possibilities for the Colson Hotel.

"We are firm believers that we build on the shoulders of others, and this is a great example of that," Pallegar said. This building was established almost 100 years ago and to see it potentially live out for another 100 years is a milestone for our community."

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Erin DiFazio, the Program Director for the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, said a lot of community input would be sought.

"There will be a tremendous amount of community engagement, with the African American community, and really all of the city of Sarasota to determine what this area needs. What would survive here, DiFazio said. "What would really honor the spirit of Overtown and Lewis and Irene Colson."

Walter Gilbert is the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at Selby Gardens and sits on the board of directors of the Sarasota African Cultural Coalition.

Photo of Lewis and Irene Colson, who owned and operated the Colson Hotel.

Gilbert is a fourth-generation Sarasota resident who says he grew up knowing the Colson Hotel.

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"It lets people know we were here, we contributed. There was a community here a blossoming, growing, vibrant community that was important to the growth of Sarasota," said Gilbert.

Gilbert says he is ecstatic to know the building and its history will remain in Sarasota for generations.

"For me to be able to bring my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren here and to be able to point to something in the midst of everything that’s here now will give me pleasure in my heart and let them know that they’re important," Gilbert said.

To learn more about Colson Hotel, click here.

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