20181207-07 Dec 2018


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Roundabout at U.S. 41 and Boulevard of the Arts a new City Commission proposal for state funding, if analysis proves it could work

Roundabout at Cocoanut Avenue and Second Street, along with two raised walkways on St. Armands, also included as new projects for regional and state consideration

Two more roundabouts in downtown Sarasota are among the latest measures City of Sarasota staff is considering to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety, the city commissioners learned this week. The news came during a presentation about a list of city priorities for consideration by the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). (Read more »)


Workforce housing should be embraced as community asset, president of Florida Housing Coalition says

Jaimie Ross highlights 12 recommendations in ‘Blueprint’ for such developments that Coalition developed at behest of City and County of Sarasota

One of the most important steps leaders in the City and County of Sarasota can take to make more workforce housing available is to “embrace [it] as a community asset and/or infrastructure,” Jaimie Ross, president and CEO of the Florida Housing Coalition, told the Sarasota City Commission on Dec. 3. (Read more »)


Latest effort by county to sell property at 20 N. Washington Blvd. in downtown Sarasota dead for now, with contract timeline having run out

Commissioner Hines offers thoughts on how failed deal could prove to be a boon

In late November 2017, as the Sarasota County commissioners worked to combat a projected budget deficit for the 2019 fiscal year, they talked with staff about selling county property that already had been designated surplus. Among all the parcels the board members reviewed, they indicated the easiest decision was to market the county land located at 20 N. Washington Blvd., right across from the Historic Sarasota County Courthouse in downtown Sarasota. (Read more »)


Day-long public hearing on Siesta Promenade expected for County Commission on Dec. 12

Session to be held at County Administration Center in downtown Sarasota, beginning at 9 a.m.

Residents of Pine Shores Estates, who live next to the site where the mixed-use development would be built, already have been “marshaling resources,” in a manner of speaking. They plan to try to make their case that, as designed, Siesta Promenade would be incompatible with their homes and push traffic onto their streets, some of which are only about 16 feet wide. (Read more »)


Nadalini put on paid administrative leave

On Jan. 7, 2019, city commissioners again to discuss facets of report into allegations of city auditor and clerk’s abuse of employees

On Dec. 3, a member of the team that investigated allegations that Sarasota City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini has been abusive of employees in her department stressed the urgency of the need for the City Commission to take action. (Read more »)


Pickleball to be the focus of county advisory board research, with commission discussion to follow

Commissioner Moran cites potential of expanding sports tourism, and Commissioner Hines talks of need for broader look at supporting community tourist destinations

Sarasota County Commissioner Michael Moran raised the topic during his report to his colleagues on Nov. 27. By the end of the discussion, the figurative door appeared to be open not only to a wide array of research on the topic but also on how the County Commission will address other major, potential economic development drivers in the community. (Read more »)


River Road/Siesta roads swap will not be finalized before end of year, county staff says

FDOT has moved up its timeline for River Road improvements to coincide with county work in 2021 fiscal year

As late as Oct. 9, Sarasota County staff still was anticipating that a swap with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) involving River Road and roads on Siesta Key would be concluded by the end of this calendar year. (Read more »)


City Commission agrees to 180-day extension of agreement with Texas firm so further environmental analysis can be pursued on Marian Anderson Place Brownfield site

UrbanAmerica still very interested in project on the property, city’s general manager of economic development says

Because of the need for further soil studies on the Marian Anderson Place property, the City Commission this week voted unanimously to approve a 180-day extension of a contract with a Texas company that has proposed development on the former Brownfield site. (Read more »)


After seeing photos and hearing about reasons for the request, County Commission approves 105-foot pier extension on Little Sarasota Bay

Shallow water near the shoreline necessitates boats launching closer to the channel, attorney explains

The applicant, Justyna Clipper, had sought a Water and Navigation Control Authority (WNCA) Major Work Permit not only to lengthen the pier but also to add a 12-foot by 24-foot mooring area for a 24-foot-long vessel, a boat lift and a new kayak lift. (Read more »)


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Photo Essay: Reflections on Florida and four of a reporter’s ‘W’s’


Breakfast with Santa event to be held at Newtown Estates Park in Sarasota on Dec. 15


Lemon Avenue Streetscape to be focus of Dec. 17 open house in SRQ Media Studio in City Hall Annex


Holiday Boat Parade of Lights set for Dec. 8 in Sarasota


Lights in Bloom to begin at Selby Gardens on Dec. 20


New Braves Spring Training complex in West Villages named CoolToday Park