Portion of School Avenue closed to vehicles until Dec. 27 because of construction

Installation of stormwater pipe for Payne Park Village necessitating the action

An aerial map shows School Avenue between Novus Street and Ringling Boulevard. Image from Google Maps

School Avenue between Ringling Boulevard and Novus Street has been temporarily closed to traffic for six weeks, as of Tuesday, Nov. 12, the City of Sarasota has announced.

“The closure is necessary while a private contractor installs a stormwater pipe for a new development, Payne Park Village,” a news release explains.

Entrances to the Sarasota County parking garage and the Florida Department of Health and Payne Park parking lots will be open and accessible to traffic, the release points out.

The recommended detour is South Shade Avenue via Ringling Boulevard and Wood Street, the release says. Electronic message boards have been activated in the area, alerting drivers about the street closure and detour, the release notes.

“The area will remain accessible to pedestrians,” the release points out. A temporary sidewalk will be built around the construction area, the release adds; that sidewalk will be accessible until a permanent sidewalk has been constructed.

The stormwater pipe installation will require the removal and replacement of the street pavement, sidewalk and landscaping in the right of way, the release notes.

School Avenue is scheduled to reopen on Thursday, Dec. 27.