from the desk of:
Tom Barwin
Sarasota City Manager
February 7, 2020
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If you're into art, you may want to check out the big 32nd annual downtown art show going on all weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Main St. and Orange Ave. Perfect weather predicted!
Thank you for reading this week's edition! If you have questions, comments or suggestions for topics, please contact us directly: 941-263-6402 or
CityNews@SarasotaFL.Gov
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Parks, Rec & Environmental Protection Board - Special Meeting
Monday, Feb. 10 - 5 p.m.
City Hall - Commission Chambers
Historic Preservation Board
Tuesday, Feb. 11 - 3 p.m.
City Hall - Commission Chambers
St. Armands BID
Wednesday, Feb. 12 - 8:30 a.m.
City Hall Annex - SRQ Media Studio
Public Art Committee
Wednesday, Feb. 12 - 1 p.m.
City Hall - Commission Chambers
Board of Rules and Appeals
Wednesday, Feb. 12 - 3 p.m.
City Hall - Room 112
Planning Board
Wednesday, Feb. 12 - 6 p.m.
City Hall - Commission Chambers
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US 41-Fruitville Rd. Roundabout: Traffic Changes Start as Soon as 2/16
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Work is progressing well with the US 41-Fruitville Road roundabout project, and new traffic patterns are expected to begin earlier than anticipated – as soon as Sunday, Feb. 16.
Expect and plan ahead for six significant changes along the corridor:
(1)
Westbound Fruitville Road between Cocoanut Ave. and US 41 will be closed.
Please note:
This road closure – westbound only -- will be in place for the duration of the project while crews construct the roundabout. Five electronic message boards are being strategically positioned around the city alerting drivers to this pending traffic change. Drivers who use Google Maps will be notified about the closure and official detour, Lemon Ave. to 10
th
St.
(2)
The traffic signal at US 41 and Fruitville Road will be permanently removed. This will allow traffic to free flow off the barrier islands.
(3)
Northbound and southbound US 41 will begin using diversionary lanes to bypass the construction.
(4)
The third eastbound left turn lane coming off the Ringling Bridge and going northbound on US 41 will be reinstated.
(5)
The westbound left turn at Boulevard of the Arts will be reinstated.
(6) The northbound US 41 right turn onto eastbound Fruitville Road will remain open throughout the construction; however, drivers will see a slight realignment for this temporary connection.
We’ve been meeting and working closely with business owners and residents, helping them to prepare. The best course of action for us all is to plan ahead and determine alternate routes. If you’re able to carpool, use transit or ride share, you may want to consider those options now.
When the roundabout is completed, traffic will flow more smoothly and safely for motorists and pedestrians for generations to come. The project is on schedule to be finished in late fall 2020.
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St. Armands – Pedestrian Managers Start March 13
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In response to a request from the merchants and stakeholders on St. Armands Circle and in an effort to make this popular attraction even safer for our residents and visitors, the City is moving forward with employing “pedestrian managers” (also known as crossing guards) at two of the Circle’s busiest areas during peak days and times.
You may recall FDOT first tested the concept in 2016.
To ensure traffic flow and pedestrian safety during peak season, managers will be located at the two busiest locations: John Ringling Boulevard approaching the Circle, and North Boulevard of the Presidents heading toward Longboat Key. Managers are expected to be in position starting March 13 and will be present Wednesday-Sunday, noon to 6 p.m., with the program running through Easter.
City staff worked closely with the Florida Department of Transportation to develop guidelines and best practices for these important positions, and with the Town of Longboat Key, which is sharing the cost with the City and FDOT.
As we continue to see an influx in regional traffic, and visitors from all around the world are drawn to the outstanding shopping and dining options in St. Armands, the pedestrian managers will help everyone continue to have a safe and enjoyable experience on the Circle.
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The Lido Pavilion is transforming before our eyes as we work to modernize and spruce it up with some much-needed TLC. Installation of a long-lasting metal roof that is an attractive blue hue has been completed, and now a team of professional painters is on site. The new concrete slab is in place, and shaded outdoor seating is on order and soon will be installed. With a new irrigation system in ground and ready to go, Florida-friendly landscape is being delivered and planted. Already, the area looks much improved!
As promised, the public restrooms are remaining open during the improvements. Having food trucks on site on a rotating basis providing food/beverage service for beachgoers is working well to fill the void while improvements are made to the concession stand grill area. The project is on schedule and expected to be completed in the spring for families to enjoy.
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Staff members with the Landscaping Division within the Parks and Recreation Department position
plants in front of the pavilion prior to planting.
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Public Art Committee – Public Input Sought Feb. 12
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Sarasota’s love and appreciation of the cultural arts is highlighted in many ways throughout the community, including the City’s public art program, which at the start of 2020 expanded citywide.
The Public Art Committee, comprised of members appointed by the City Commission, is responsible for making decisions and recommendations regarding the program. And, committee members are interested in your feedback.
On Feb. 12, the PAC will discuss several issues including a proposed mural on a new building. Zahrada, 1546 4
th
St., is a new development with six residential condos and six commercial condos. To fulfill its public art requirement, the developer would like a local artist company, Brush By Design, to paint a colorful floral design on the side of the building. Scroll down to see a rendering. What do you think? Murals are becoming more common here, with several being painted recently in downtown at BOLD Lofts and the Mark.
Multi-family, mixed-use and commercial developments throughout the city limits with a construction value exceeding $1 million are required to provide a public art contribution in the form of approved artwork or a defined financial contribution, which funds public art. The program helps highlight Sarasota as the state’s top cultural arts destination on the west coast.
The PAC also will discuss the acquisition process for the artwork that will be installed at the US 41 and Fruitville Road roundabout, a funding request for an Earth Day mural and possibly expanding and promoting the City’s art on loan program. The complete
agenda is available online
.
The meeting will get underway at 1 p.m. on Feb. 12 in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, 1565 First St.
Art typically makes for interesting if not lively discussion. If you’re able to attend, the PAC would like to hear from you!
For more information about the public art program, please contact staff liaison
David Smith
.
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Proposed public art at Zahrada on 4th St.
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Household Hazardous Waste Collection – Feb. 8
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Reminder
: A special household hazardous waste collection event will be held 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Payne Park for Sarasota city and county residents.
This is an excellent opportunity to do some winter cleaning and properly dispose of unwanted items that can’t be tossed in the garbage. Items that will be accepted include: aerosols, antifreeze, cleaners, electronics, fertilizers, gasoline, motor oil, pesticides, paint, pool chemicals and rechargeable batteries.
The collection will take place in the parking lots between Ringling Boulevard and School Avenue at Payne Park, 2050 Adams Lane. There’s no cost for disposal. You just need to be a Sarasota city or county resident.
We’re coordinating the event with Sarasota County, which manages hazardous waste for City residents. If you don’t take advantage of this free event, you’ll need to drop off potentially hazardous items at a County location: Sarasota County Chemical Collection Center, 8750 Bee Ridge Road, or at the Central Sarasota County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, 4010 Knights Trail Road, Nokomis.
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Lewis Black
Saturday, Feb. 8
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons
Sunday, Feb. 9
Stayin' Alive
Monday, Feb. 10
Pirates of Penzance
Thursday, Feb. 13
Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Joshua Bell
Saturday, Feb. 15
Mandy Patinkin in Concert
Sunday, Feb. 16
The Beach Boys
Tuesday, Feb. 18
Neil Berg's 111 Years of Broadway
Wednesday, Feb. 19
An Evening with Michael Feinstein Singing Gershwin
Tuesday, Feb. 20
John Fogerty
Friday, Feb. 21
Les Miserables
Feb. 26 - 28
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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"Sarasota Scene"
Norm Schimmel
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