Utility technicians and engineers have been inside manholes this week using ultrasound technology to inspect the pipeline where a break occurred last Friday resulting in untreated wastewater entering the stormwater drainage system including the Whitaker Bayou one mile away. The City promptly reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that approximately 340,000 gallons escaped. What’s especially unfortunate is the age of the broken pipe: just 40 years old. Most similar force mains have a lifespan of 70 years. Results of the pipeline inspection will reveal whether this was an isolated section that corroded prematurely or if other areas are showing signs of weakening and the entire line needs to be replaced. The pipe showed no signs of deterioration last year when examined 30 feet away from the rupture.

We are committed to being good environmental stewards for Sarasota Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and the many other bodies of water that make Sarasota a beautiful, thriving coastal community. In 2019, as headlines began to pop up across the nation with municipalities struggling to maintain aging utility infrastructure systems, the City Commission took decisive action and approved a long-term utilities master plan. Over 10 years, $300 million will be invested in renewal and replacement of water and wastewater infrastructure dating back to the 1940s. The City maintains approximately 782 miles of utilities pipelines, 50 of which is wastewater pressurized force main and 310 that is gravity sewer. It’s a daunting but necessary task. Fortunately, a plan is in place to address this critical need to safeguard our public health and natural resources.  

Days after the recent spill David Tomasko, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program executive director, offered a thoughtful analysis in “Director’s Note: Wastewater overflows”. While any sewage leak is unacceptable and untreated wastewater can pose serious public health concerns, Tomasko points out that the volume of this spill combined with the lengthy distance to Sarasota Bay (at least one mile) plus interaction with salt water would result in Sarasota Bay most likely not being adversely impacted by the incident.  He also provides perspective on the spill and the bay’s overall annual nitrogen load. The article is available on the SBEP website.

The Utilities Department began collecting water samples from the stormwater drainage system last Saturday and samples indicate the levels are returning to pre-spill conditions. The public, though, should continue to avoid contact with Whitaker Bayou until the Florida Department of Health-Sarasota County gives the all clear.

Unfortunately, Thursday morning, a leak occurred in the same vicinity – at  Vilas Avenue and 11^th Street. A manhole for a 24-inch gravity line collapsed causing 48,000 gallons of untreated wastewater to discharge into a nearby canal. Our Utilities team responded quickly and contained the spill completely in the canal. Ultimately, tanker trucks pumped approximately 144,000 gallons from the canal and a minimal amount escaped. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health were alerted to the incident. Repairs are ongoing and the cause of the manhole failure is being evaluated.

This highlights the need to continue moving forward with our Utilities master plan. In the past three years, $54 million has been invested into rehabilitating manholes, pipes, service laterals, installing permanent emergency generators at pumping and storage facilities and much more. In the upcoming Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget, an additional $11.7 million is planned for infrastructure renewal and replacement.

Our constant goal is zero leaks. We want to leave the environment in better condition for future generations. Led by Director Bill Riebe, the Utilities team will remain vigilant and work every day to do what they can to safeguard, protect and improve our water quality and natural resources.  

Excellent progress is being made on the Ringling Trail! Ringling Boulevard from US 301 to Pineapple Avenue is being transformed into a complete street with a dedicated bike lane. So far, Phase I from US 301 to Lime Avenue is slightly ahead of schedule. Finishing touches, including the installation of accessible crosswalks, bus stop pads, road striping and signage are underway and expected to be substantially completed by the end of September. It’s been a priority to complete this section and open the bike lane to offer enhanced safety to riders and connectivity to the nearby and newly opened Legacy Trail Extension. For those who drive this stretch now, please be mindful that it’s still a construction area. Be aware of signage and pavement striping and avoid driving in the bike lane.   

Construction prep work has already started on Phase II, which extends from US 301 west to Pineapple Avenue. This leg of the corridor also will have a protected bike lane and will help bicyclists safely traverse from the Legacy Trail to downtown, where it’s expected they will have an economic impact patronizing restaurants and shops and just enjoying the special sense of place downtown offers. That section is expected to open in late 2022. We’re looking forward to it! 

Bravo to the Public Works team overseeing the project and keeping it on schedule. 

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall announced this week the full lineup for the 2022-2023 season filled with exciting Sarasota premieres and returning favorites. This upcoming season features some of the top names in live entertainment and includes something for everyone.

The full list includes big names like TV personality Jay Leno, world-renowned Motown groups The Temptations and The Four Tops, classic-rock favorite America, the outstanding tribute show RAIN – A Tribute to The Beatles, and so much more!

Laugh along with one of Hollywood’s most prolific creatives and Mad About You star, Paul Reiser, as he ushers in an evening of comedy. Join 16-time Grammy Award winner David Foster and acclaimed singer, TV and Broadway star Katharine McPhee as they bring their viral Instagram show, The Kat and Dave Show, from their living room to the Van Wezel stage. Get up and dance along with Postmodern Jukebox: Life in the Past Lane Tour. This Sarasota premiere is a celebration of the greatest 20th century musical genres, fused with the recognizable hits of our own modern era, for the perfect patina of "vintage" and "modern."

See the full list of shows on VanWezel.org.  Single tickets for all shows, including Broadway, go on sale Saturday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m.

Summer was a splash at the Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex and Robert L. Taylor Community Complex swimming pools!

At the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 46 summer campers became "expert swimmers" thanks to lessons provided by Miss Maria's School of Fish Swim School, funded by a generous donation from the Manasota Chapter of the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA). Each camper received 16 half-hour lessons that will reinforce lifelong swimming safety skills and a healthy respect for the water.

The lifeguards and swim instructors at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex also have been busy, providing swim lessons to 109 children since swim season started in March. Swim lessons at Arlington Park are geared toward children ages 6 months to 12 years old and provide a positive, fun-filled opportunity for youth to learn swim skills and reduce the risk of water accidents. Interested?  Call 941-263-6732 for more information about upcoming sessions or schedule a free swim evaluation.