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From the Desk of Sarasota
City Manager Tom Barwin
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
REMINDER: A 'No Left Turn' restriction is now in effect at US 41 and eastbound Fruitville Road. Large electronic signs are in place notifying drivers about this new traffic pattern which is necessary to accommodate the new roundabout construction. The dedicated left turn lane was removed to allow construction crews enough space to work on the west side of the road while still allowing two lanes of traffic to flow south. Stopping to turn left will now impede traffic and create a backup. Officers with our Sarasota Police Department are watching the area closely and have been giving out warnings to those violating the no left turn. We encourage drivers to be patient and find alternate eastbound routes such as Boulevard of the Arts, 10th Street and Ringling Boulevard. Your patience, cooperation and help spreading the word is appreciated.
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St. Armands BID
Wednesday, Dec. 11 - 8:30 a.m.
City Hall Annex - SRQ Media Studio
Agenda
- Complete Count Committee
Wednesday, Dec. 11 - 4 p.m.
City Hall - Room 112
Agenda
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Planning Board
Wednesday, Dec. 11 - 6 p.m.
City Hall - Commission Chambers
Agenda
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This Week's Items to Know:
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1.
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Lemon Ave. Streetscape - Streets are open! We're pleased to report the entire Lemon Avenue corridor reopened early this week. The finishing touches were completed at the Pineapple Ave. intersection where an impressive brick medallion in the shape of a pineapple is now on display. This complements the lemon design at the State Street intersection and the compass design at Main Street.
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The newly finished Lemon Ave.-Pineapple Ave. intersection adjacent to Paul Thorpe Jr. Park.
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The final phase of the Lemon Avenue Streetscape will focus solely on improvements to Paul Thorpe Jr. Park and will not require further street closures, which, understandably, is a relief for merchants, drivers and downtown residents. Park enhancements will include a trellis walkway, new landscaping, stationary benches, swinging benches, tables with seating and new park lighting.
We anticipate the new Paul Thorpe Jr. Park will become a popular destination for downtown residents, Saturday morning Farmers Market attendees, as well as shoppers and employees seeking an outdoor respite for lunch, a coffee break or just a place to relax and enjoy our special city's urban energy throughout the week.
The park is on schedule to reopen to the public by the end of January.
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2.
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Orange Ave. - Repaving Set for 12/10-12/13 Crews will wrap up the water main replacement project along Orange Ave. next week when Orange Ave. from 19th Street to Dr. MLK Jr. Way is milled and repaved.
The northbound lane will be milled followed by the southbound lane
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Orange Ave. between 19th St. and Dr. MLK Jr. Way
will be resurfaced Dec. 10-13.
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and the Dr. MLK Jr. Way intersection. Then crews will repave Orange Ave. and the Dr. MLK Jr. Way intersection.
From Dec. 10 through Dec. 13, traffic along that stretch of Orange Ave. will be reduced to one lane with 2-way traffic maintained by flaggers. Traffic at the Orange Ave.-Dr. MLK Jr. Way intersection will be detoured using 25th Street.
This has been a lengthy but necessary improvement project to enhance the reliability and safety of the City's water system. We appreciate the community's patience enduring the rough patches on Orange Ave. during the construction.
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3.
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Holiday Parades - 12/7 & 12/14 The holiday season is underway and the community will officially welcome this special time of year with two popular Saturday evening parades: the traditional holiday parade on Main Street tomorrow (12/7) and the boat parade with vessels decked out with colorful lights on Sarasota Bay next Saturday (12/14)
Sarasota Holiday Parade: Saturday, Dec. 7 - 6 p.m. Don't miss the 24th Annual Sarasota Holiday Parade! The route starts at US 301 and Main Street, heads west through downtown and ends at Main St. and Gulfstream Ave. Over 70 entries are expected in this festive parade including marching bands, floats and quite possibly even an appearance by the jolly 'ol elf himself, Santa Claus!
Please be advised that
street closures for the parade will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. All streets are expected to reopen by 12:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Boat Parade of Lights: Saturday, Dec. 14 - 7 p.m. One of the most anticipated events of the season! Vessels ranging from small dinghies to large yachts, decorated with their best and brightest holiday decor will cruise Sarasota Bay, helping to raise funds for Suncoast Charities for Children. Best viewing locations for landlubbers: City Island, Centennial Park, Bayfront Park and Marina Jack.
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The
Boat Parade of Lights will be held Dec. 14.
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4.
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Citizens' Academy - Registration Open Registration is open for the 2020 Citizens' Academy, a chance to get an in-depth, behind the scenes look at how your local, municipal government operates day-to-day.
During the eight-week course, you'll learn about different City
departments each week during engaging
and interactive sessions. For example, you'll see firsthand how the Sarasota Police
Department protects the community, how the Utilities Department ensures our drinking water is safe and during a visit to the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex learn what it takes to maintain
and operate the City's 50+ parks.
There's no fee for the course, which is open to City residents, business owners, property owners, City employees and media representatives, but we do request you commit to attending all the sessions. Most sessions will be held Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
We hear regularly from program graduates that the course is very educational, eye opening and worth the time investment.
Deadline to register is Dec. 20 and space is limited to just 25.
For more information, please contact Neighborhood Planner Nancy Kelly: 941-263-6378.
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5.
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Selby Library - Temporary Closure
Starts Dec. 15 The Selby Public Library in downtown Sarasota will be closed for a few weeks while it undergoes upgrades including an interior facelift, enhanced lighting and installation of a new chiller and air handling system to help keep the inside cool and comfortable for visitors.
Sarasota County, which oversees the library system, expects to
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Selby Public Library will be temporarily
closed starting Dec. 15.
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reopen Selby Library in early 2020.
During the closure, limited services will be available in the library's meeting room including hold pick-ups, returns and reference. Online access will still be available.
During the temporary closure, you're encouraged to visit other nearby libraries, including:
- Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library - 2801 Newtown Blvd.
- Fruitville Public Library - 100 Coburn Road
- Gulf Gate Public Library - 7112 Curtiss Ave.
Questions about the library closure or the library system? Please contact 941-861-5000.
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6.
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Mature Tree Canopy Program
- Success! There seems to be little question that our community is interested in growing the urban canopy!
The recent rollout of our new Mature Tree Canopy Pilot Program was so successful, the goal of receiving 50 requests for mature trees was reached in just five days.
The program offers an incentive of up to $500 for residents who invest $100 to purchase a mature tree. Approximately two dozen species are approved for the program from shady lady to live oak. While the tree is planted in the right-of-way or nearby, the homeowner owns the tree and is required to water, prune and maintain it.
Resident Lou Costa approached the City about the program after he heard from neighbors that, while they really like our free tree giveaway held twice a year, those trees are small saplings and limited in variety. So, Lou rolled up his sleeves and worked with staff to devise this mature tree pilot program which is funded through the City's tree replacement fund. Lou is now the administrator for the program and serves as the point person answering residents' questions, coordinating the plantings and helping ensure the approved process is followed.
Thank you, Lou, for your love of community, trees and willingness to invest your time to problem solve and help create a grander urban canopy.
Interested in learning more about the program? This news release has more information as well as a link to the program guidelines.
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Resident Lou Costa being interviewed by SNN recently about the
Mature Tree Canopy Pilot Program.
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Van Wezel: Tickets on Sale Now!
Under the Streetlamp: Hip to the Holidays
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Dec. 13 -15
Tickets
The TEN Tenors - Home for the Holidays
A Christmas Carol
Monday, Dec. 23
Tickets
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker
Saturday, Dec. 28
Tickets
Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert
Thursday, Jan. 2
Tickets
The Book of Mormon
January 7-12, 2020
Tickets
The Righteous Brothers
Monday, Jan. 13
We've Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered
Tuesday, Jan. 14
Tickets
The Naked Magicians
Thursday, Jan. 16
Tickets
The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston
Tuesday, Jan. 21
Tickets
The Drifters, The Platters, and Cornell Gunters Coasters
Wednesday, Jan. 22
Tickets
Steve Martin & Martin Short
Thursday, Jan. 23
Tickets
Louie Anderson and Rita Rudner
Tuesday, Jan. 28
Tickets
Kristen Chenoweth in Concert - For The Girls
Thursday, Jan. 30
Tickets
To purchase tickets over the phone call 941-953-3368 or stop by the Box Office at 777 N.Tamiami Trail.
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Thanks for reading this week's edition. If you'd like to receive Weekly Briefs directly to your inbox, click 'Join Our Mailing List
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CityNews@SarasotaFL.Gov
Tom Barwin
City Manager
941-954-4102
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