City administrative offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 20 as we remember the life, contributions and lasting impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the national holiday.
The holiday will not affect garbage, recycling and yard waste collection schedules; however, the City Commission meeting will be deferred to Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The Bay Runner will operate regular hours 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Additional information about holiday hours is available here.
The Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee has been dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. since 1987, and the tradition will continue this year. A Unity Walk will start at noon at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th St. and conclude at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park, 2523 Cocoanut Ave., where a celebration will take place until 4 p.m. with live music, soulful cuisine and more. Hope to see you there!
Following this summer’s unusually active hurricane season, a number of abandoned, damaged, and submerged boats became hazards throughout Sarasota Bay. Over the past week, these vessels have been removed from the water by cranes and crushed at Centennial Park with oversight by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
While additional activity is expected during the next week, the boat ramp will remain open and accessible to the public.
Removal of these boats marks an important step in storm recovery for our coastal community and the Sarasota Bay ecosystem.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to restore our bay and city.
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A significant utility infrastructure project will begin soon along North Tamiami Trail, extending from 14th Street to University Parkway. A 60+ year-old water main will be replaced to protect the water distribution system and ensure continued reliability for our water customers.
Construction is expected to start this spring. To minimize traffic disruptions, work will occur at night in segments over four years. Traffic access will be a priority and maintained to the best it can be.
This much-needed project is part of a $300 million long-term capital improvement master plan approved by the City Commission in 2018 to replace aging utilities, improve resiliency and provide continued excellent customer service.
Additional information and updates about the North Tamiami Trail water main replacement project can be found at www.Sarasotafl.gov/NorthTamiamiWaterMain
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The Performers and Fun in the Sun murals are part of the Public Art program's Call for Walls initiative.
Keep your eyes peeled for a pair of beautiful new murals behind Parker Robinson Interiors on Main Street! Local artist David Lee has put the final touches on The Performers, which highlights some of Sarasota’s hometown circus heroes, and Fun In The Sun, an ode to the area’s pristine beaches. The murals are adjacent to each other in the alley between Main Street and First Street.
Lee began work on the pieces around Thanksgiving, and once the weather settled, was able to finish them this week. As for inspiration, it was the idea of the Parker Robinson owner to create something that meshed his love of Sarasota’s circus roots with the fashion-forward feel of the area’s beach culture.
Both pieces were commissioned through the Public Art program’s newly introduced “Call for Walls” program, which places publicly funded murals on privately owned walls to beautify an area, engage the community and boost cultural tourism efforts. What a fun, unique way to spruce up this busy, working alleyway!
The Public Art program is seeking blank walls in relatively good condition within the Sarasota city limits for future murals. Learn more about the initiative here.
It’s here! Poly, the latest Public Art piece commissioned by the City, was installed at the US 41-14th Street roundabout on Jan. 8. The installation, which includes nighttime illumination, was placed within the roundabout thanks to a Community Aesthetics Features agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation.
The community is invited to attend a celebratory ceremony at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11 near the entrance to Whitaker Gateway Park adjacent to the roundabout. City Commissioners and artist Josh de Sousa will be present and we hope to see you there too!
Poly was created by art studio Hou de Sousa and was unanimously approved by the City Commission in September 2019. While the process was slowed by several factors, including global supply chain issues and prohibitive construction costs, a competitive bid was approved by the City Commission last July that put the project back on track. The sculpture was funded through the Public Art program’s required developer fees.
Check out the installation video here.
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The Sarasota Police Department’s Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU) is experiencing a leadership transition as Officer Matthew Grochowski steps down to dedicate more time to the Crime Prevention and Community Relations Units. Officer Grochowski joined the CNU in 2016, served as Assistant Team Leader for three years, and has led the unit with distinction for the past year.
Officer Timothy Dederick will now assume the role of Team Leader for the CNU, continuing its mission to respond to critical incidents such as hostage situations, barricaded subjects, and individuals in crisis. The CNU is composed of highly trained officers skilled in de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention, who strive to protect hostages, innocent citizens and perpetrators alike. The unit’s primary goal is to ensure peaceful resolutions to high-stakes situations, prioritizing negotiation over force whenever possible. Officer Dederick is certified in levels 1-3 of crisis negotiations. He also earned a 40 hour FBI Crisis Negotiation course certification as well as a 40 hour course certification on Negotiating with Special Populations.
Officer Grochowski’s contributions over the years have left a lasting impact, helping to foster a talented and dedicated group of crisis negotiators. His leadership and expertise have strengthened the unit’s ability to resolve complex and emotionally charged incidents safely and effectively. We thank him for his service and look forward to the unit's continued success under Officer Dederick’s guidance.
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Step back in time with the legendary Frankie Avalon on Jan. 21! With a career that has delighted fans across three generations, Avalon’s charisma and talent shine as brightly as ever. Known for chart-topping hits like Why and Venus, as well as his unforgettable role as 'Teen Angel' in Grease, this icon of music and film promises an evening of nostalgia and unforgettable melodies. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering his timeless appeal for the first time, don’t miss this chance to experience his enduring artistry live on stage.
Then, on Jan. 27, set sail for laughter and lyrical brilliance with HMS Pinafore, Gilbert and Sullivan's satirical masterpiece. This uproarious tale of mismatched loves, mistaken identities, and a meddling baby-farmer unfolds against a backdrop of witty dialogue and unforgettable tunes. With its sharp humor and vibrant finale, HMS Pinafore continues to charm audiences as a cornerstone of modern musical theatre. It’s a comedic voyage you won’t want to miss!
Secure your tickets now at VanWezel.org and ensure your seat for these unforgettable performances.
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