Applications being accepted for City of Sarasota Downtown Master Plan Update Ad-Hoc Committee

Applications due by 5 p.m. Oct. 17

All regular City Commission meetings are conducted at City Hall, located at 1565 First St. in downtown Sarasota. File photo

Following a unanimous vote by the Sarasota City Commission to create a Downtown Master Plan Update Ad-Hoc Committee, applications are being accepted “for qualified candidates interested in volunteering their time and expertise to help shape the future of downtown Sarasota,” the city has announced.

The committee will consist of up to nine individuals appointed by the City Commission, a news release notes.

At least one member will be selected from each of the following categories, it adds:

  • Downtown resident.
  • Downtown merchant.
  • Owner of downtown commercial property.
  • Representative of social services.
  • Representative of services and activities for young persons who is under 40 years old.
  • Person who works downtown.
  • Frequent visitor and patron of downtown businesses who lives in the city.

“The City Commission shall consider selecting members with experience, background, or interest in one of the following areas,” the release continues:

  • Urban design/planning.
  • Sustainability, resiliency, environmental planning.
  • Architecture, landscape architecture.
  • Economic development, tourism.
  • Historic preservation, adaptive re-use.
  • Downtown culture, downtown arts.

“Members may satisfy more than one of the above criteria,” the release points out. If only one application is received for a category, the release says, “the City Commission may consider an applicant’s experience, background or interest.”

Adopted in January 2001, the Downtown Master Plan has been recognized as a success, with many of its goals and objectives having become reality, including the creation of “a walkable, vibrant downtown,” the release continues. The purpose of the Ad-Hoc Committee is to provide comments, gathered during public meetings, “to a consultant tasked with updating the Downtown Master Plan and submitting formal recommendations to the City Commission for consideration,” the release says.

Individuals interested in serving on the Downtown Master Plan Update Ad-HocCommittee must submit an application and resume to the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, the release points out.

Click here to submit an application.

Once appointed by the City Commission, the committee members will meet as necessary with a consultant. Those meetings, which will be held at City Hall, will be open to public, the release adds.

For more information, contact the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk at Clerk@sarasotafl.gov.

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