Intersection expected to reopen on Nov. 25
As of Monday, Oct. 14, the intersection of Lemon Avenue and Pineapple Avenue in downtown Sarasota has been closed to vehicular traffic to allow work to proceed on the Lemon Avenue Streetscape Project, City Manager Tom Barwin has announced.
The intersection is scheduled to reopen on Nov. 25, he added in his Oct. 11 newsletter.
“During the closure, crews will level the curb and gutters and install brick pavers, continuing the pedestrian-friendly look and feel similar” to the Lemon Avenue mall just to the north and adjacent to Salute! and Mattison’s restaurants, Barwin added. “A brick medallion also will be handcrafted and installed in the middle of the intersection,” he noted.
“So far the project is on time and looking good with impressive, new brick designs” in the center of the Lemon Avenue intersections at Main Street and State Street, Barwin continued in the newsletter. “If you haven’t seen them yet, sometime this fall I encourage you to enjoy a healthy stroll through our vibrant downtown and check out the streetscape area.
“From merchants to drivers to shoppers,” he added, “we appreciate everyone’s patience during the streetscape construction. Our project manager, Richard Winder, and contractor, Jon F. Swift Construction, have worked diligently to coordinate with business owners to lessen impacts as much as possible,” Barwin wrote.
When the Pineapple Avenue section has been completed, he added, crews will turn their attention to Paul Thorpe Jr. Park. The remainder of the improvement project will not require any street closures, “which is indeed good news,” Barwin pointed out. “We anticipate the entire project will be finished by the new year. In the meantime, we encourage you to continue to patronize our many and varied eateries and shops throughout downtown, all located within a short walk from two convenient parking garages (State Street and Palm Avenue) with two hours free parking,” he noted.
More information about the Lemon Avenue Streetscape Project may be found at www.LemonAvenueStreetscape.com.