City News: Florida Highwaymen Exhibit, School Zone Safety, Poly Celebration

City of Sarasota, Florida sent this bulletin at 01/31/2025 03:00 PM EST

Jan. 31, 2025

Hello Everyone,

The City Commission took another step last week to support historic preservation in our community. We unanimously approved a new program that incentivizes historic preservation through the voluntary transfer of development rights (TDR). Building owners in “sending zones” can sell their redevelopment density to others in “receiving zones” in downtown and specified areas. The hope is that through this new program, historic property owners will be able to afford to renovate and maintain historic buildings and protect Sarasota’s history. The Historic Preservation TDR was a community-led initiative spearheaded by the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, who approached the City and worked closely with our Planning Department including Planners and Historic Preservationist to draft the program.

The same day the Commission approved the Historic Preservation TDR, we remembered our longtime Historic Preservationist Dr. Clifford E. Smith Jr. who passed away in December. Dr. Smith was an invaluable member of the City team for nearly 18 years helping many in the community with their historic homes and properties. For years, he worked with residents to secure Newtown a position on the National Register of Historic Places, a significant achievement that was realized last spring. Dr. Smith’s passion and commitment to historic preservation was unparalleled and our community is better because of his expertise and dedication. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife and six children.

This weekend, I’ll have the honor of opening the Art and Culture Festival as we celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Snake. Hosted by the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota in partnership with Ringling College of Art + Design, the festival will feature two hours of art, music, special dance performances and other features of Chinese culture. The festival is observed by our Sister City of Xiamen (Siming District) in China and other Asian countries.

Art and Culture Festival
Sunday, Feb. 2
1 to 3 p.m.
Ringling College: Scott Plaza, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail

More information is available here.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Regards,

Liz Alpert
Mayor

News and Updates

Black History Month: Florida Highwaymen Exhibit

Florida Highwaymen exhibit City Hall view

During Black History Month in February, we will honor the legacy of the Florida Highwaymen through the continuation of a special cultural heritage exhibit at City Hall.

Roger Lightle, a longtime Florida Highwaymen art collector and owner of the Highwaymen Art Specialists, Inc. in Vero Beach, Florida, has graciously agreed to extend the exhibition through February and Black History Month. Also, he will return to host another in-depth lecture and discussion about the cultural and artistic significance of the Florida Highwaymen and their works. The lecture and exhibit are free and open to the public.

The lecture will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 in the Commission Chambers in City Hall, 1565 First Street. Lightle’s previous lectures were very well attended, so mark your calendar and plan to arrive early.

The Florida Highwaymen exhibit is part of the Cultural Heritage Exhibit series in the City Hall lobby, which was created to celebrate Sarasota's many cultural legacies through museum-quality visual arts experiences. This collection showcases the creativity and influence of the more than two dozen Black landscape artists that frequented Florida’s agricultural communities following World War II. These prolific painters sold artworks from the trunks of their cars beginning in the 1950s because they were prohibited from traditional showcasing due to their skin color. While making ends meet, they simultaneously made an everlasting mark on Florida landscape painting and cultural arts.

The exhibit is open to the public during regular City Hall hours, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more about the exhibit here.

Public Art: Poly Ceremony Feb. 11

Come on, come all, and experience Poly in all its glory!

Join City Commissioners, artist Josh de Sousa of art house Hou de Sousa, and other special guests for a public installation ceremony for this brand-new Public Art piece on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. at Whitaker Gateway Park,1455 N Tamiami Trail.

Weighing approximately 2.7 tons, Poly is a 20-foot-tall sculpture that was recently installed within the U.S. 41-14^th Street roundabout. City staff worked closely with the Florida Department of Transportation to ensure the installation adheres to roundabout safety standards. Be sure to check out Poly at night when it’s illuminated!

It’s taken several years for Poly to get here. While the City Commission unanimously approved the project in 2019, it was paused due to global supply chain issues and prohibitive construction costs. By 2024, things were back on track with the Commission’s approval of a competitive bid to construct and ultimately place Poly in its new home.

Stop by, see and celebrate Poly with us! Get the full details on the upcoming ceremony here. Plus, check out the installation video here.

SPD: School Zone Safety Program

The City of Sarasota, in partnership with the Sarasota Police Department, is continuing efforts to enhance student safety with the School Zone Safety Program.

Effective Monday, Feb. 3, a 30-day warning grace period will begin for two new school zones -- Alta Vista Elementary School and Southside Elementary School. Speed cameras in those zones will be activated and warnings will be issued to drivers exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph or more.

The safety program already includes Tuttle Elementary School and Cardinal Mooney High School, where a 30-day warning grace period is concluding. Beginning Feb. 5, registered owners of vehicles caught speeding in those two zones will be issued a $100 violation through the U.S. mail.

It’s important to note that speed cameras operate throughout the school day — not only when flashing lights are active -- but also 30 minutes before school begins and 30 minutes after school ends. Cameras will not monitor traffic on weekends, holidays, or outside those hours.

The program will expand to a total of six school zones, including:

Alta Vista Elementary School
Southside Elementary School
Tuttle Elementary School
Cardinal Mooney High School
Sarasota Military Academy
Sarasota High School

After a warning grace period ends, violations will be issued to drivers traveling 11 mph or more above the speed limit, with images thoroughly reviewed by the SPD before citations are mailed.

This initiative reflects the City’s commitment to protecting students and ensuring safer roads for everyone. For updates on the program, follow SPD on social media.

Strategic Plan Survey

There’s still time to let your voice be heard through the City’s Strategic Plan survey!

This is your opportunity to share and rank your thoughts on the community’s top priorities including affordable housing, economic development, public safety and more. Input will be considered by City Commissioners as they create the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan.

In the survey, residents are asked to evaluate nine components that help shape and maintain our city. There are also opportunities to write in comments or suggestions.

The online survey is brief and remains open through Saturday, Feb. 6. We look forward to hearing from you!

Click here to access the survey.

Advisory Boards: Applications Accepted

Interested in volunteering your time and expertise on one of the City’s citizen advisory boards? Qualified individuals can apply for one of eleven vacant seats across multiple advisory boards tasked with providing valuable input regarding our City’s operations, priorities, and future.

Applications can currently be submitted for vacant seats on the following boards:

Parks, Recreation & Environmental Protection Advisory Board
Nuisance Abatement Board
Human Relations Board
Historic Preservation Board
Citizens with Disabilities Advisory Board

Click here to apply!

City Awards: Planning and Public Works

Great news! The City of Sarasota recently was honored with two professional awards from the American Planning Association Florida Chapter - Sun Coast Section.

The City's Engineering Design Criteria Manual, recently approved by the City Commission, received the Best Plan, Report, or Study Award, while the City’s Attainable Housing Density Bonus and Urban Mixed-Use Attainable Housing Density Bonus Programs earned the Adaptive Reuse or Redevelopment Award. Bravo!

L to R: Senior Transportation Planner Corinne Arriaga, Planning Director Steve Cover, Chief Transportation Planner Alvimarie Corales, City Engineer Nikesh Patel, Planner Rebecca Webster (Photo credit: APA Florida Chapter - Sun Coast Section)

These prestigious awards recognize the expertise, talent and dedication of our Planning Department and Public Works Department in creating positive and long-lasting impacts for our community.

Thank you to all involved for your hard work!

Parks and Rec: USTA Men’s Tournament

Our Payne Park Tennis Center is presenting a competitive senior men’s tennis tournament sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in partnership with the Court 13 pro shop and bar.

The Sarasota City Clay Court Tournament is a new Level 5 sanctioned event for men ages 50-80 participating in singles and doubles.

Six courts are being utilized for the tournament, allowing regular play to continue on the other six courts. At the height of the tournament, 29 matches will be held Friday, Jan. 31, then 23 on Saturday, and the tournament wraps up Sunday with nine matches.

Interested in checking it out? Spectators are welcome to attend at no cost.

The tournament is part of the USTA's Larry Turville West Coast Super Senior Grand Prix tour, and we appreciate Court 13 and our Parks and Recreation team for working diligently with the USTA to have Sarasota included on the tour.

We hope to host a similar tournament for women. Stay tuned!

Van Wezel: Enjoy a Night of Comedy

Experience a night of laughter at the Van Wezel with two comedy legends this February.

On Feb. 10, enjoy Steve Solomon's uproarious show "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm Still in Therapy." Originating from Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay, Steve Solomon transitioned from a career in education to nationwide comedic acclaim with his hit one-man show. His latest production, "Cannoli, Latkes & Guilt... the therapy continues," showcases his comedic prowess and fresh material, earning him accolades like The Connecticut Critics Circle Award and Broadway.com’s "Best new off-Broadway play."

Then, on Feb. 15, catch Paula Poundstone, renowned for her sharp wit and observational humor. Paula, celebrated for HBO specials and as the first female comic to host the White House Correspondents Dinner, brings her comedic brilliance to the stage. Don't miss this opportunity to witness her legendary and comedic genius live at the Van Wezel!

Secure your tickets now at VanWezel.org and ensure your seat for these unforgettable performances.

Job Spotlight: Development Review Planner

Career Corner - Development Review Planner 1-31-25

We’re seeking a Development Review Planner. Are you or someone you know qualified and interested in joining our team? Visit Sarasotafl.gov to apply online and see other employment opportunities with the City of Sarasota.