May 29, 2020
1:45 p.m.

Partial street closures expand to help local businesses

To help local restaurants with their economic recovery, experimental partial street closures in downtown will continue and expand this weekend.

A portion of Lemon Avenue has been added to the partial street closure list, which already includes segments of State Street and lower Main Street. The partial closures allow restaurants to expand their dining footprint into the street.
 
The closures will begin at 3:30 p.m. and end at midnight tonight and Saturday, May 30 and will include the following:

  • 1300 block of Main Street (Palm Avenue to Mira Mar Court)
  • State Street from the State Street Garage to Lemon Avenue
  • Lemon Avenue from Main Street to the alley just north of State Street
 
Partial street closures are expected to be in effect each Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to midnight, possibly through June.

The City is working with downtown merchants to determine interest in this experimental economic recovery program and possible expansion to other business districts. Affected street blocks may vary week to week based on input and interest from business owners.
Those interested in being involved with this experimental endeavor are encouraged to email CityNews@SarasotaFL.Gov.
Restaurants expanded into lower Main Street last weekend as part of the City's response to help local businesses with economic recovery.
Approved street vendors selling protective face masks are invited to return to locations in downtown, Lido Beach and near O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill at Bayfront Park on Friday night and all day Saturday and Sunday for the foreseeable future.
 
City residents are strongly urged to wear protective masks when leaving home under the City’s local public health emergency declaration.
 
The City has already made several efforts to aid local restaurants and businesses with a speedy reopening and recovery, including waiving building permit fees for improvements to adapt to health concerns; temporarily relaxing the zoning code to encourage and facilitate outdoor dining; and creating a new no-fee, temporary outdoor café permit that allows for expanded outdoor seating.
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Open:

Arlington Park Aquatic Complex, Bird Key Park parking lot, Lido Beach, tennis courts, boat ramps, fishing piers, dog parks and outdoor spaces are open to the public. Proper social distancing, as directed by the CDC, must be followed, with no gatherings of 10 people or more. 

The Sarasota Police Department is providing public safety services around the clock and will respond to emergency calls as usual. For other non-emergency calls, Chief DiPino has instituted a temporary Telephone Reporting Unit that will be operated by a sworn officer daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Closed:

Park facilities and amenities, including playgrounds and basketball courts, are closed.

All shows at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall are canceled through June 15. Staff are working diligently to reschedule shows. Visit www.VanWezel.org for updates.

All City of Sarasota buildings are closed to the public. Most operations and services are continuing with staff working remotely and a limited number of employees on-site.

To conduct business with the City, please send inquiries via email . Contacts and email addresses are available on www.SarasotaFL.Gov . Or call: 941-263-6000 .

City buildings are closed to the public. Please request services online at www.SarasotaFL.Gov or via the following phone numbers:
Building Permits
941-263-6455

City Commission Office
941-263-6412

City Manager Office
941-263-6402

Code Compliance
941-263-6417

Development Services
 941-263-6449

Economic Development
941-263-6280
Parking Division
941-263-6475

Parks & Recreation
941-263-6758

Sarasota Police - Front Desk
941-263-6025

Solid Waste/Garbage Collection
941-263-6170

Van Wezel - Box Office
941-263-6799

Water Billing
941-263-6260; 941-263-6261
For questions regarding Sarasota County services including SCAT, please contact the Sarasota County Contact Center: 941-861-5000.