Mote Shows Interest in North Port Springs

Mote Marine Laboratory has showed interest in managing the recently defunct Warm Mineral Springs in North Port and its sister springs, Little Salt Springs, according to county officials.

Warm Mineral Springs closed to the public on July 1, after the City of North Port and the County of Sarasota failed to come up with an agreement for the long-term operator of the attraction. The springs are owned jointly by the city and county. 

In a recent email Randall Reid, Sarasota county administrator, told county commissioners that Mote Marine representative Kumar Mahadevan has been in contact with him over the last couple of weeks and is discussing a long-term partnership with the county.

Reid also suggested that Little Salt Springs, which is currently owned by the University of Miami and utilized for educational purposes, be acquired by the county and managed by Mote because “the synergy between the two would work well and enhance tourism.”

With Mote’s involvement, artifacts from Little Salt Springs could be returned to these sites by the University of Miami “as a recognized research and interpretive entity,” according to Reid. Florida Aquarium also exhibited a curiosity in acquiring Little Salt Springs, and is willing to work with Mote, the email said.

Reid said he will meet with Mote officials on August 26th to discuss the proposal.

If you would like to know more about the springs and how this dilemma relates to a similar spring in Manatee County, read my article in the Bradenton Times.