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Hello Everyone,
Have you experienced our newest roundabout in downtown? Located at Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place, the roundabout replaces a signalized intersection that created confusion and safety issues for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians near the U.S. post office and Sarasota County administration building. Now, with the new roundabout, traffic flows smoother and more efficiently and the roundabout is safer, since traffic conflict points were reduced with the removal of the traffic signal. Plus, the roundabout is more resilient. During a power outage, traffic will be able to flow uninterrupted -- unlike a traditional signalized intersection (which requires the deployment of resources to direct traffic). Construction started in early May 2024 and was expected to wrap up by the end of the year. The roundabout opened at the end of January – a great accomplishment considering the devastating weather events we endured last year, including hurricanes Helene and Milton.
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The roundabout at Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place adjacent to the U.S. post office opened Jan. 31.
Recently, we asked for your input about community priorities as the City Commission worked on creating the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. Now we have another online survey! This one is focused on your preferences to best allocate housing and community development grants and funding for the next five years. More details are in City News below. We hope you’ll participate.
As we head into the weekend, don’t forget…Monday is a national holiday: Presidents Day. City Hall will be closed for the day and the regular City Commission meeting will be held the next day on Tuesday, Feb. 18. And, today, Friday, Feb. 14, is Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget that special someone!
Have a terrific weekend in our special city!
Regards,
 Liz Alpert
Mayor
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Reminder: City administrative offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 17, in observance of Presidents Day.
The federal holiday will not impact garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection for City residents; however, the City Commission meeting will be deferred to Tuesday, Feb. 18.
The Bay Runner will operate regular hours, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Additional information about holiday hours is available here.
Enjoy the long holiday weekend!
Every five years, the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) develops a comprehensive Consolidated Plan/Annual Action Plan that guides the disbursement of federal and state grant funds for housing and community service projects.
In order to utilize the funds to the greatest extent possible, both the City and County (working as the Sarasota Consortium) ask residents and businesspersons to provide input and share suggestions as to what is most needed in Sarasota for the benefit of low-income households and individuals. This year, a brief online survey has been generated to collect these responses.
This feedback is an important factor in determining the scope and budget of community improvements for the next 5 years. In the past, federal and state funds have been used for numerous projects, including home repairs, the creation of new affordable housing units, improvements at Avion Park, and street improvements such as the ones completed between Central and Cocoanut Avenues.
By sharing your feedback, you are helping to prioritize significant resources which assist underserved, low-income individuals and neighborhoods. With your help, OHCD will be able to recommend how to allocate these limited resources.
From now until March 15, consider taking part in this brief but meaningful survey. Your input makes a difference in providing valuable and accessible improvements in our community.
What are your priorities for Sarasota? Affordable housing? Community facilities such as libraries, fire stations, childcare and senior centers? Infrastructure such as pedestrian walkways, lighting and more? What about parks and common green spaces? Or accommodations for disabled individuals? Are there other needs which require more attention?
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Heads up! An improvement project to replace the existing force main along S. Osprey Ave. will begin this spring requiring portions of the road to be temporarily closed.
Approved by the City Commission in July 2019, this project will last approximately five months and aims to improve our City’s infrastructure resilience. The existing 8-inch force main will be replaced and extended along Old Oak Dr. and Spring Creek Dr. (from Siesta Dr. to S. Osprey Ave.) extended along S. Osprey Ave. (from Spring Creek Dr. to Alta Vista St.) and also along Bay View Dr. (from Pleasant Pl. to S. Osprey Ave.).
The project will be completed in three phases. Click here for an interactive map showing the location, installation date, and estimated completion date of each phase.
This project is included in the City’s $300 million long-term utilities improvement master plan with the purpose of replacing aging utilities to improve resiliency and redundancy.
Additional information about this project can be found at Sarasotafl.gov/OspreyAveForceMain
The Sarasota Police Department has welcomed a new, 40-foot Mobile Command Center to its fleet, boosting public safety and enhancing emergency response across the community.
Packed with state-of-the-art technology, this cutting-edge unit allows real-time monitoring of body cameras and drone footage. This advanced technology will give officers increased critical situational awareness during high-stakes events. Between the dispatch and satellite communications systems, it ensures that the team will stay connected even in the toughest conditions such as hurricanes and other disasters.
The vehicle features numerous workstations and an onboard conference area allowing for on-the-go briefings during critical incidents. The custom exterior wrap was created in partnership with the Ringling College of Art and Design by their students.
At a cost of nearly $925,000, the Mobile Command Center was funded through $800,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), awarded by the Sarasota City Commission in July 2022, with the remaining funds coming from SPD’s Law Enforcement Trust Fund.
This new addition replaces an outdated 24-foot maintenance trailer from 2014, which while helpful, lacked the capacity and technology to meet the City’s growing needs.
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Interested in learning more about the City’s newly launched Traffic Calming Plan? The public is invited to attend a town hall meeting to learn about and give input regarding this initiative on Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1565 1st Street.
Following a short presentation outlining the goals and vision for the plan, an open forum will be held where attendees will have the opportunity to share feedback and their perspectives. Each participant will be given two minutes to speak.
Traffic calming is a set of roadway treatments that can be used to reduce traffic impacts through physical design and other measures. Residents may recognize some traffic calming methods currently in use in our city, including roundabouts, medians (pictured above), chicanes, on-street parking and speed enforcement.
For more information about the upcoming town hall, click here.
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Next week brings with it an exciting community event to help celebrate Black History Month – a free public lecture about the Florida Highwaymen and the exhibit at City Hall!
Join us as art historian Roger Lightle, who graciously loaned this exhibit to the City more than a year ago, returns to lead the lecture and an exhibit tour. The event starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 in the Commission Chambers at City Hall. Note that the lecture is first come, first served and reservations will not be accepted.
Known for their stunning landscape portraits that captured the essence of Florida agriculture starting in the 1950s, the Florida Highwaymen were prolific painters. The group got their name from their point-of-sale tactics. As Black artists during the Jim Crow era in Florida, they were prohibited from traditional showcasing, so they sold their wares from the trunks of their cars along the highway. While making ends meet, they simultaneously made an everlasting mark on Florida landscape painting and cultural arts.
You can also stop by and enjoy the exhibit during regular City Hall hours, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Note: City Hall is closed on Monday, Feb. 17 for Presidents Day.)
We had a wonderful celebration this week honoring Poly, our newest Public Art piece, located within the U.S. 41-14th Street roundabout! Several dozen community members joined Mayor Liz Alpert, artist Josh de Sousa of art firm Hou de Sousa, and other special guests for the occasion that was a long time in the making. Miss the event? We shared it on Facebook Live. Check out the recording here.
 Left to Right: Public Art Committee Chair Jonathan Parks, Florida Department of Transportation Planning Specialist Pamela Barr, At-Large City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, FDOT Southwest Area Office Director Wayne Gaither, Poly artist Josh de Sousa, City Engineer Nikesh Patel, Planning Director Steve Cover, Mayor Liz Alpert, District 3 City Commissioner Kathy Kelley Ohlrich
The City Commission approved the 20-foot-tall sculpture over five years ago. Poly was designed by Hou de Sousa, then installed last month – but only after years of unexpected delays caused by the pandemic and worldwide supply chain issues.
This great piece underscores the City’s appreciation of the cultural arts through the Public Art program. Thank you to everyone involved in the lengthy process to get Poly here – and to those who took time out of their day to celebrate with us.
Alton Brown has spent decades shaking up the culinary world, from his groundbreaking show Good Eats to hosting Iron Chef America and Cutthroat Kitchen. Now, he’s bringing his signature mix of food, science, and sharp humor to the Van Wezel on Feb.16!
With a career that started in TV commercials before he took a wild turn into culinary school, Brown has transformed the way we think about cooking. His live shows are packed with unexpected surprises, audience interaction, and the same energy that has made him a household name in food entertainment.
This is your chance to catch the ultimate food-meets-fun experience -- live! Whether you're a longtime fan or just love a good mix of science, storytelling, and culinary mischief, this show is a must-see. Plus, last-minute tickets are still available, so don’t wait -- grab yours now before they’re off the menu at VanWezel.org!
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We have a Utility Mechanic I position open. 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.
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Tuesday, Feb. 18 | 9 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Wednesday, Feb. 19 | 9 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Wednesday, Feb. 19 | 5:30 p.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Thursday, Feb. 20 | 8:15 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Thursday, Feb. 20 | 10:30 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Thursday, Feb. 20 | 4 p.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Monday, Feb. 24 | 5:30 p.m.
Selby Library | 1331 First St.
Agenda
Wednesday, Feb. 26 | 9 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers.
Wednesday, Feb. 26 | 5:30 p.m.
Robert L. Taylor Community Complex | 1845 John Rivers St.
Agenda
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"Sarasota Scene"
Norm Schimmel
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