City administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19 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 regularly scheduled City Commission meeting will be deferred to Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Visit Sarasotafl.gov for more information on holiday hours.
Good news! Contractors have mobilized and the renourishment of Lido Beach will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
While Lido Beach will remain open to the public for the duration of the project, sections of the beach may be temporarily inaccessible. The project will begin at the north end of the beach and move southward. Although the parking lot south of the Lido Beach Pavilion will be closed to stage equipment, the pavilion, concession stand and north parking lot will remain open.
Lido Beach in July 2025.
This project is being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the City as part of a 50-year agreement between the City and USACE for the protection of Lido Beach against shoreline degradation. Once completed, 1.2 miles of shoreline will have been renourished after significant sand loss during the 2024 hurricane season.
USACE expects to complete this project in early April, prior to sea turtle nesting season. Visit the project webpage for more information and project updates.
Heads up! City contractors are re-landscaping a section of a median near New College with fresh, Florida-friendly plants and new irrigation to help keep them watered and healthy.
Starting Monday, Jan. 19 through Jan. 23, one southbound lane on U.S. 41 will be temporarily closed nightly between University Parkway and General Spaatz Boulevard. While one southbound lane will be closed, the turn lane to eastbound University Parkway will remain open. The majority of the work will occur during the overnight hours to minimize traffic impacts.
This area is a gateway to our special city and we appreciate our Parks and Recreation team sprucing it up and creating a welcoming and visually pleasing area along this busy corridor!
|
If you’ve visited The Nature Park at Bobby Jones recently, you’ve likely noticed the fencing and trail detour signs.
These changes mark the exciting start of Phase One construction, which began at the end of 2025 with materials and labor in motion. New trees are being planted toward the rear of the park where severe tropical weather took its toll on the area. Site preparations also are underway for future planting areas. Irrigation installation is progressing with the water main line, all control valves, and a tree bubbler zone being installed initially.
This transformative project is just the beginning of creating an even more vibrant and sustainable natural space for our community. Stay tuned for updates or visit The Nature Park, 1000 Circus Blvd., to see the progress in person!
|
Did you know you can subscribe to receive a monthly calendar of scheduled Special Events in the City? Our Special Events team recently resumed compiling a list of approved Special Events and disseminating it via email to subscribers. Information shared includes an easy-to-read table detailing the names of events, dates, times, locations, street closures and designated times for street closures. Interested in receiving this information in your inbox? Register to receive Events and Street Closures information via our email subscriptions webpage. We appreciate the Special Events team sharing this information with the community, so residents and business owners are aware and can plan ahead.
The Special Events team coordinates and processes permits for over 100 Special Events each year and dispatches dedicated staff to the event sites before, during and after to monitor compliance with the approved permits. It’s a yeoman’s job that includes working holidays, nights and weekends – thank you!
|
 "Rhapsody in Bloom" mural dedication on Jan. 12, 2026. L to R: Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle, Public Art Administrator Ciera Coleman, Planning General Manager Ryan Chapdelain, Mayor Debbie Trice, artist Alissa Silvers, City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, Vice Mayor Kathy Kelley Ohlrich, Planning Director Steve Cover
Have you noticed the beautiful new murals in the City? The Public Art Program facilitated and funded the painting of two new murals recently.
First, one at the Arlington Park Aquatic Complex called “Rhapsody in Bloom” created by local artist Alissa Silvers. The colorful installation involved a Community Paint Day in November when over 100 participants of all ages picked up paintbrushes and helped transform a blank wall adjacent to the swimming pool into a fun, colorful piece of Public Art. This is the very first Public Art installation in District 3, and what a delightful one it is! We celebrated the mural and the amazing community collaboration recently with a dedication. Thanks to all who made this a reality!
"Harmony in Motion" by local artist Edward James Walsh at North Water Tower Park.
The second mural, located in North Water Tower Park, was created by Ringling College graduate and Bayou Oaks resident Edward James Walsh. Entitled “Harmony in Motion”, the mural celebrates the park’s disc golf course, local wildlife and the community. Through the Public Art Program, the mural was created in partnership with our Parks and Recreation Department and the Bayou Oaks Neighborhood Association. Bravo! Join us for a formal dedication of the mural at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 at North Water Tower Park, 4700 Rilma Avenue. Hope to see you there!
And two more Public Art murals are underway! Look for “Creative Seeds” on the north exterior wall of the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences. This builds upon the vibrant Reverand Lewis and Irene Colson mural with a nod toward future generations. Local artist Kaitlin Kelly, also known as Swirly Painter, expects to finish the mural in February. And, following an international Call to Artists, another local muralist, Truman Adams, was awarded a mural project at 10th St. and Osprey Ave. That mural will feature a trompe l’oeil design with Florida flora and colorful parakeets. It too is expected to be finished next month. In the meantime, look for it in progress when you’re in the Gillespie Park neighborhood!
The City recently migrated to a new electronic procurement system where those interested in doing business with the City can register to receive notifications about bid and solicitation information.
By moving to OpenGov, the number of suppliers registered with the City of the Sarasota quadrupled! We now have 43,000 vendors. The previous system attracted just a little over 11,000. When registering via OpenGov, suppliers select a commodity they would like to receive bid information about (so not all 43,000 receive every bid/solicitation that goes out).
With four times as many vendors, the City will be better positioned to receive more competitive bids – a win for the City and our taxpayers. Congratulations to our Procurement Division within the Governmental Affairs Department for being good stewards of the procurement process and making this notable operational improvement.
Learn more about OpenGov and register here.
|
While the holiday season has come to an end, this is still one of our busiest times of the year for retail, dining and community events. Making your plans should include how to best secure your belongings before and during your outing.
In 2025, we saw more than 140 auto burglaries with 85% of those showing no signs of forced entry. Even if you’re just stepping away for a minute to pump gas or run an errand, locking your door is the first line of defense for auto burglaries.
Parking in a well-lit designated area is another key to protecting your car. If you need to leave something of value behind, be sure to lock it in the trunk or make sure it’s not visible before leaving your car unattended. A cell phone left on a seat or a wallet in a cupholder could be an unwanted invitation.
Keeping valuables out of sight applies not only to what you keep in your car but also personal belongings you bring with you in a purse or shopping bag.
Some Do’s and Don’ts:
Do:
- Keep purses and bags closed and secure
- Leave valuables at home
- Secure items like phones
Don’t:
- Hang shopping bags or purses where they are easy to access
- Leave something valuable in a shopping cart
- Place belongings out of your sight
Taking the time to build these habits now can save you the trouble of having to replace your valuables later.
|
Broadway’s newest hit makes its Sarasota debut at the Van Wezel Jan. 21–25 with Some Like It Hot, a musical bursting with style, energy, and larger-than-life spectacle. This award-winning production earned four Tony Awards®, including honors for Best Choreography and Best Costumes, as well as the Grammy Award® for Best Musical Theater Album. Celebrated by The New York Times as “a super-sized, all-out song-and-dance spectacular,” the show delivers Broadway at its boldest.
From its electrifying dance sequences to its vibrant, period-inspired costumes, Some Like It Hot fills the stage with movement, music, and momentum. Classic musical theater traditions meet a contemporary sensibility, creating a fast-paced, feel-good experience packed with standout performances and crowd-pleasing moments. Experience the excitement of this acclaimed Broadway production as it lights up the Van Wezel Jan. 21–25. Tickets are on sale now at VanWezel.org.
|
 |
We’re seeking qualified candidates for a Plans Examiner. Are you or someone you know interested?
Visit Sarasotafl.gov to apply online and see other employment opportunities with the City of Sarasota.
|
