Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization board announced

Members will oversee the organization’s effort to create a master plan for nearly 42 acres of city-owned land on Sarasota’s bayfront

Bayfront 20:20 used this graphic in a recent presentation to the Sarasota City Commission. Image courtesy City of Sarasota
Bayfront 20:20 used this graphic in a recent presentation to the Sarasota City Commission. Image courtesy City of Sarasota

The nine volunteer members of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization (SBPO) were announced this week by the group that has been working on a master plan for about 42 acres of bayfront property owned by the City of Sarasota.

The organization will build on the foundation laid over the past three years by Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 “in establishing the vision and guiding principles desired by the Sarasota community for the development of the bayfront site,” a news release says. The SBPO “is charged with guiding a professional, comprehensive master planning process for this development,” the release adds. Its work will reflect the desire voiced by community residents for a family-friendly green space “that also provides an exceptional home to Sarasota’s arts and cultural organizations,” the release notes. “The continued support of the City of Sarasota for this vital developmental effort is valued,” it adds.

“The SBPO will hire a qualified project manager and a professional planning firm to aid in creating the master plan,” the release points out.

Each of the board members resides in Sarasota County, the release adds. All funds needed to support the planning effort will be raised privately from the Sarasota community, the release says.

“Recruiting a best-in-class board is the next step in realizing our community’s vision for the 42 acres of land on the Sarasota bayfront,” said Michael Klauber, a leader of Bayfront 20:20 who will serve on the SBPO, in the release. “Each board member has a range of experience, a proven track record in dealing with complex issues and a unique passion for the future of Sarasota,” he added in the release.

Michael Klauber. Image from YouTube
Michael Klauber. Image from YouTube

Klauber is president and founder of Michael’s on East.

The other members of the SBPO follow:

  • Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin.
  • Allen Carlson, retired president and CEO of Sun Hydraulics and regional director for the University of Florida’s Innovation Station Sarasota County.
  • Jennifer Compton, a partner of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick who works in the law firm’s Sarasota office. Her focus is employment law counseling and litigation, the release notes.
  • E. Keith DuBose, an attorney and shareholder with the Matthews Eastmoore law firm who specializes in personal injury, professional malpractice and commercial litigation.
  • A.G. Lafley former CEO and chair of Procter & Gamble. While in Cincinnati, Lafley chaired Cincinnati Center City Development Corp (3CDC) from its inception in 2004 until 2010, the release notes. “Over the past 12 years, 3CDC has invested more than $1 billion in mostly private money in the redevelopment and renewal of the downtown,” the release adds.
  • Robert J. Lane, a CPA and managing shareholder of Kerkering Barberio. “He is responsible for audits and reviews of entities such as large not-for-profit organizations, general contractors, and manufacturers,” the release says.
  • Cathy Layton, a retired Sarasota commercial real estate broker who is an owner, with her husband, of assisted living facilities. “She was a driving force in commencing and completing the Selby Gardens Children’s Rainforest Garden,” the release points out, and she continues to serve on the Board of Trustees of Selby Gardens.
  • Cynthia P. McCague, a member of the board of directors of Pier 1 Imports and former senior executive with Coca-Cola. “She brings [to the SBPO] 40 years of human resources and senior managerial business experience,” the release says.