April 18 public meeting planned on proposed St. Armands Complete Streets project

Event to begin at 5 p.m. in SRQ Media Studio at Sarasota City Hall

On Tuesday, April 18, the City of Sarasota will host a public meeting to share information and gather public comments about a proposed St. Armands Key Complete Streets improvement project, the city has announced.

“We’re seeking input with the decision-making process,” said Chief Transportation Planner Alvimarie Corales in a news release. “We’ll explain the history of the proposed complete streets project and share different project options,” Corales continued in the release. “We’d like citizens’ feedback to inform our decisions and next steps.”

The meeting will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the SRQ Media Studio, which is located in the City Hall Annex standing at 1565 First St. in downtown Sarasota, the release adds.

“A complete street is an age-friendly design that promotes safe travel to and from a destination, whether walking, biking, riding the bus or driving a vehicle,” the release explains. Among the features may be enhanced sidewalks, street lighting, benches, street trees and landscaping, and public art, the release points out.

“The City of Sarasota selected a consultant in December 2022 to study and design a complete streets improvement project on St. Armands Key,” the release adds. Because of climbing design and construction costs and insufficient available funding, “the project has been paused,” the release continues.

Members of the public are being asked at this time about the level of improvements they desire on St. Armands Key, the release says.

Three options will be presented:

  • Wait for additional funding from the State of Florida for a comprehensive complete streets project
  • Move forward with a limited streetscape beautification project.
  • Shelve the project/take no action.

The meeting will include a presentation by city staff regarding the options, timelines and proposed costs; a question-and-answer session; and the opportunity for community comments, the release notes. Additionally, an online survey will be shared with attendees to help with feedback collection.