The eye-catching aqua blue lighting scheme on the Ringling Bridge has returned! 

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), which controls the decorative lighting on the bridge, recently announced the return of the all-blue lights during evening/overnight hours. The lights will default to red, white and blue on holidays observed by the State of Florida.

We appreciate FDOT granting this request for our community and returning to the serene aqua blue palette, which had been in place when the decorative light display started almost four years ago.  

Please note: The City of Sarasota does not have jurisdiction over the Ringling Bridge lighting. As such, the City Commission is not able to accept or consider individual lighting requests. 

Heads up! All three of the City’s parking garages – Palm Avenue, State Street, St. Armands  – will go gateless beginning Tuesday, June 17! 

This change was made with two goals in mind: improve traffic flow in some of the city’s busiest areas and make parking easier through modern technology.

Here’s what you need to know: 

• On June 17, the entrance and exit gates in the City’s three parking garages will temporarily be in an upright position until they are removed. 

• Each car will need to pay within 15 minutes of entering the garage through a physical pay station, mobile app (Passport, ParkMobile) or text-to-pay. 

• Parking rates will remain the same: First hour is free, second hour is $2, third hour and beyond is $1 per hour. Event parking is a flat $5 fee with credit cards and coins (no dollar bills) accepted

• Reminder: Parking is free in City garages on Sundays and City observed holidays. 

With hurricane season just over two weeks away, starting on June 1, residents are encouraged to prepare their property for tropical weather.

While steps like securing loose items and ensuring gutters and drainage systems are clear are important, don’t forget to add tree preparation to the list. 

In the event of severe weather, untrimmed trees can pose a serious hazard and cause damage to homes and vehicles, as well as potentially block roadways.  

Once a tree has been trimmed, branches should be properly prepared as vegetative waste, collected via special pickup for an additional fee, or taken by the resident to the Sarasota County landfill.  

Special pickup can be arranged by contacting the Solid Waste Division at 941-263-6170. 

When faced with potential storm impacts, every bit of preparation counts. Click here for more information on hurricane preparedness. 

Just in time for hurricane season, we’ve added another way to communicate with residents: Neighbors by Ring. 

Neighbors is a social networking platform affiliated with Ring doorbells and security cameras. It’s a standalone mobile app and available to anyone -- whether or not you’re a Ring customer.  

The City’s Communications Office plans to use Neighbors as a supplemental outreach tool to connect with more residents, particularly during an emergency situation. The Communications team recently worked with Ring to create a verified account, which was launched last week during Hurricane Preparedness Week.  

Neighbors is available within the Ring app. It also can be downloaded at no cost via the Apple Store or Google Play. 

Stay connected with the City of Sarasota through City News and social media (Facebook, Instagam, X, Nextdoor and Neighbors). Also, visit www.Sarasotafl.gov/News for the latest news updates and subscribe to receive news releases directly to your inbox. 

Soon there will be a new public art piece in the Rosemary District!  

Local artist Kaitlin Ramirez (also known as Swirly Painter) is hard at work on a mural featuring Lewis and Irene Colson, pioneers of the historic Overtown neighborhood, on a wall outside Sarasota School of Arts + Sciences. 

After being approved by the Public Art Committee in March of this year, the artist began work on the larger-than-life piece in early May and continues to make significant progress. 

The piece was commissioned as part of the Public Art Program’s Call for Walls initiative.This endeavor was started to showcase the spirit of Sarasota and its diverse community through high-quality, themed murals throughout the City. Projects are selected through a dedicated process that ensures each piece aligns with City values and enhances the City’s cultural landscape.  

The mural is scheduled to be completed in June with a public dedication ceremony being planned for later this summer. 

You can learn more about the Public Art Program here.

Dozens of children will be able to attend summer camp at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex (RLTCC) thanks to a $48,000 gift from the Henson Fund!  

This generous scholarship funding will support 60 underserved kids so they can enjoy a summer filled with adventure, learning, personal growth and unforgettable memories. We appreciate the RLTCC team collaborating with the Henson Fund to secure this special opportunity that will have a lasting impact on the lives of these young campers.

Kudos are in order for Communications Assistant Luke Mocherman! 

Luke is the recipient of the Florida Municipal Communicators Association’s 2025 Rising Star Award. The honor recognizes an individual with less than five years’ experience in government communications who has shown achievement, excellence and potential for future leadership in the field. 

The nomination, submitted by the City’s Communications General Manager, shined a light on Luke’s strong interest in local government, professionalism and commitment to sharing information with our community.