Patterson Foundation commits $300,000 to organization that will create bayfront master plan

Initial gift of $100,000 will be followed by two more contributions pegged to Sarasota Bayfront 20:20’s community fundraising efforts

City-owned property near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the former G.WIZ science museum is the focus of the planning. File photo
City-owned property near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the former G.WIZ science museum will be the focus of the planning. File photo

The Patterson Foundation of Sarasota will provide up to $300,000 in funding and consulting support for the work of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization, the foundation has announced.

As Bayfront 20:20 leaders Michael Klauber and Jon Thaxton explained to the Sarasota City Commission this week, the new group will create a master plan for nearly 42 acres of land on Sarasota’s bayfront. (See the related story in this issue.) It will comprise up to nine members led by a professional manager who will be hired for the effort, they told the board. The planning is expected to begin in early 2017 and take between 18 and 24 months. Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 hopes to raise $2.5 million to cover the expenses of the undertaking, Thaxton and Klauber added.

“The Patterson Foundation is committed to strengthening the planning phase by providing this funding opportunity,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of the Foundation, in a news release. “As citizens of this community, we realize the planning phase will be critical to the success of this multi-faceted journey, and our goal is to accelerate the solid steps that have already been taken.”

The Patterson Foundation’s support includes the following:

  • A $100,000 contribution toward the formation and work of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization.
  • A $100,000 contribution after Bayfront 20:20 has raised $1 million from the community.

• Another $100,000 as a capping contribution after Bayfront 20:20 has secured $2.4 million.