Believe it or not, the official start of Atlantic hurricane season is less than 100 days away.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management and the City are urging residents to be proactive with preparations. What steps can you take now?
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Make a plan: Your plan should be specific to the needs of everyone in your household and everyone should understand the plan.
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Know your evacuation zone: Find out if your home is in an evacuation zone or flood-prone area. You can find your zone at scgov.net/knowyourlevel.
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Be weather alert ready: Have multiple options to receive weather alerts, including a battery operated or hand-crank weather radio. You can receive emergency alerts specific to the Sarasota city limits by registering for Alert Sarasota at AlertCitySarasota.com. Stay up to date by following the City of Sarasota on Facebook, Instagram, X and Nextdoor. And, visit SarasotaFL.gov/Alerts for real time updates from the City of Sarasota.
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Harden your home: Inspect your home and take the necessary steps to make it more resilient with tropical weather.
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Restock your disaster supply kit: Have enough food, water and prescription medications for each family member (pets included) for at least seven days. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Kit for a checklist of recommended items.
While we hope for a quiet hurricane season, Mother Nature is unpredictable and it’s best to take the time now to be prepared.
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Hart's Landing is closed due to damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
While most businesses have reopened, the majority of residents have resumed their pre-Helene and Milton activities and visitors are returning to Sarasota, a significant amount of restoration work still needs to be done with our City facilities, particularly those located on the waterfront.
Over the past several months, staff from multiple departments have been assessing structural damage, discussing feasible restoration options and reimbursement with FEMA, and assembling a timeline for design plans, procurement and construction.
16 projects currently are in the design phase with an estimated $17.4 million total construction cost. Bayfront Park, Bird Key Park, Ken Thompson Park, Doc and Eloise Werlin Park, and Tony Saprito Fishing Pier will each require over $1 million in repairs.
It will be an extended process to restore these community assets, most of which, unfortunately, are parks where families have enjoyed spending time outdoors on the waterfront. Due to extensive damage, many of these areas are fenced or cordoned off for public safety until they can be restored.
We anticipate bringing construction contracts to the City Commission for consideration starting in the fall and through early 2026. The current timeline has permanent repairs finished by late 2026 to early 2027. This will ensure the City follows FEMA guidelines to be eligible for the permanent repairs.
Also, we are aware of streetlight outages. Due to the back-to-back major hurricanes, electrical parts are on back order and are impacted by supply chain issues. The City is competing for supplies and construction materials not just with others impacted by Helene and Milton along Florida’s west coast, but also Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. Components for the streetlights are expected to arrive in the coming months with the City’s streetlights restored by the end of the summer, pending material delivery.
We appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience.
Want to learn more about the planned extension of the Circus Trail? Join the City’s Transportation Planners for a public meeting on Wednesday, March 5 at 5:30 p.m. at The Harvest Sarasota, 3650 17th St., to hear all about it.
After a brief project overview presentation, you're invited to stay for an open house where you can interact with the project team and ask questions.
The purpose of the project is to provide a safe, accessible trail connection for bicyclists, walkers, and other users. The extension also would link the Circus Trail within the Shared-Use Non-motorized (SUN) Trail and Gulf Coast Trail networks, which are recognized statewide.
The proposed extension would run along the east side of Circus Boulevard approximately 0.25 miles south of Bobby Jones Golf Club, and continue to the east/northeast for approximately 0.75 miles, and end in the northeast corner of the golf course adjacent to 17th Street Park, which is owned by Sarasota County.
This project is one of the top priorities in the City's Transportation Master Plan, Sarasota in Motion.
To learn more about the Circus Trail Extension, visit the project webpage here.
Good news! Construction of The Legacy Trail extension at Payne Park is now underway.
The extension will provide a much-needed east-west connection for bicyclists and pedestrians along the southern portion of Payne Park from School Avenue to Alderman Street (adjacent to the Sarasota Ford dealership). At just over 0.2 miles, the path will be a short but important point of connectivity. Users will be able to safely connect to neighborhoods and downtown where bike lanes and multi-use paths exist, offering a safe alternative for commuters or those seeking a healthyrecreation option in our beautiful city.
The project will include a rest area with a shade shelter, benches and tables, drinking fountain, and a bike repair station as well as enhanced landscaping. Work is expected to be substantially completed by the end of June.
The City was awarded a $400,000 grant for the extension through the Recreational Trails Program, a federal initiative funded by the Federal Highway Administration and administered at the state level by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
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One of the most common issues we hear about from residents is speeding, especially through residential neighborhoods.
A citywide comprehensive Traffic Calming Plan is underway and residents were invited to share their thoughts and concerns during a town hall meeting last week. Attendees provided valuable feedback to our Transportation Planning team as they work with consultants to design traffic calming solutions for the community. Over a dozen residents spoke at the meeting, giving their observations and feedback regarding speeding and safety concerns on residential and local roads. Click here to watch the Town Hall.
Traffic calming refers to methods implemented to combat speeding, ranging from roundabouts and lane narrowing to speed tables and chicanes.Traffic calming techniques are determined on a case-by-case basis as City staff work with the community to determine the optimal treatment for a specific area.
Couldn’t attend the Town Hall? Residents can still give their input via survey by clicking here. The survey will be open until April 20. An interactive map is also available for residents to pinpoint locations where frequent speeding is a concern.
Once the survey closes, staff will move forward with evaluating the City’s roads and determining where traffic calming efforts are necessary while working together with residents. Ultimately, safe speeds create stronger neighborhoods.
Click here for more information about the City’s Traffic Calming Plan.
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Solid waste collection returned to regular operations in December 2024 following extensive storm debris collection efforts. As normal operations have resumed, here’s a refresher on the City’s solid waste collection rules:
Residential yard waste: Should be placed in cans, paper bags, or bundles weighing less than 50 pounds. Yard waste that is not collected can be prepared for the following week’s collection or collected via special pickup.
Bulk Waste: Waste that is too large to fit in a City garbage cart can still be placed at the curb for regular collection. Please note: bulk waste larger than a residential washer or dryer, or 1 cubic foot (3x3x3 feet), will require special pickup by calling 941-263-6170.
Garbage and recycling: The best way to ensure timely garbage and recycling collection is to place your carts curbside, with closed lids, no later than 7 a.m. on your assigned collection day. To allow collection equipment to maneuver, carts should be 6 feet from any obstructions and away from trees.
For more information about solid waste collection, or to arrange for special pickup, please contact the Solid Waste Division at 941-263-6170.
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Secure disposal of records containing personal information is an important step in protecting against fraud, and the City of Sarasota’s Central Records Division is here to help!
In partnership with The Bay, the City will host the first annual Shred Stock, a free, drive-up document shredding event in the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall parking lot. Shred Stock will take place on Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. until noon.
City residents will have the opportunity to securely destroy up to four boxes of documents, including papers and file folders with or without staples and paper clips. This is a drive-up event - residents can put their boxes in the trunk of their car to be removed and destroyed on-site by Central Records Division staff, free of charge. Empty boxes will be returned to residents’ vehicles.
For entertainment, local band The Garbage Men will be on site playing 60s music on their signature sustainable instruments. You won’t want to miss it!
Shred Stock is available for City of Sarasota residents only. Participants may be asked to show proof of residency upon arrival.
We hope to see you there!
Through a generous donation from the Deb Kabinoff Fund, the Sarasota Police Department has made a meaningful impact on the Brotherhood of Men, Inc. (BOM), a local mentoring organization dedicated to empowering young men in the community. This contribution included 36 iPads and a large Newline Active Board, which will enhance the educational and mentoring experience for the participants in the program.
The Deb Kabinoff Fund is dedicated to helping non-profit organizations in Sarasota optimize their technological capabilities to better serve their communities. With a focus on making a positive impact, the Fund addresses a range of local challenges, including advancing equitable outcomes in education. SPD recognized that this shared commitment to fostering educational growth and opportunity made the Fund an ideal partner for BOM.
SPD Chief Rex Troche talking with the Brotherhood of Men.
BOM is driven by its mission to instill core values in the young men they serve and setting and achieving personal goals. These values are at the heart of the group's efforts to provide guidance and support to local young men, many of whom face challenges in their everyday lives.
The new iPads will provide access to digital tools that will support their educational growth, allowing them to explore new learning opportunities and improve their academic skills. The Newline Active Board, an interactive display system, will also enhance group sessions and workshops, offering an engaging and dynamic way for the students to learn. With these new tools, BOM and SPD will continue to create a positive, supportive atmosphere that helps local youth succeed both academically and personally.
Join us at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Tuesday, March 4 as the legendary Twyla Tharp celebrates 60 years of groundbreaking dance with a spectacular coast-to-coast tour!
This special evening showcases Tharp's Olivier-nominated Diabelli, set to Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, along with her newest work, SLACKTIDE, featuring a reimagining of Philip Glass’s Aguas da Amazonia by Third Coast Percussion. With her signature wit and masterful musicality, Tharp continues to push the boundaries of movement, creating work that is both original and breathtaking.
Audience members will also enjoy seeing Sarasota’s own Nicole Morris, a Booker High School graduate, take the stage as a dancer with the Twyla Tharp Dance company.
Don’t miss this extraordinary night of dance, where every step and note come together in a thrilling display of artistry. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Tharp’s visionary choreography, this performance promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Get your tickets now at VanWezel.org and be part of this remarkable celebration!
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We have a position open for a Recreation Programming Supervisor. 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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