WHO ARE YOU KIDDING?

When Barnum said “there’s one born every minute” did he mean us? Because the city actually nominated itself for an award it doesn’t deserve for a housing formula that will yield more out-of-scale not-affordable over-construction.

As we saw with massive recent flooding, each new neighbor places additional strain on our shared environment and infrastructure. So when it comes to building density, doing the wrong thing IS worse than doing nothing.

NIMBYS? NO - NEIGHBORS, AND CITIZENS WHO DEPEND ON CITY!

Speaking of doing nothing…for the 18th month in a row, the red-shirted neighbors of the 327-foot tall skyscraper proposed for 1260 Palm Avenue raised their concerns about the developer’s continued attempts to build too much on too small a site.

They pointed out that the city’s process provides NO room for public input for downtown development, even when a project obviously doesn’t meet the code - and that the buck stops with elected leaders who are supposed to represent the public interest.

PLANNING HOW WE GROW

What will the future Sarasota look like? The downtown master plan through 2020 needs updating, and the city is forming an advisory board to guide revisions.

Commissioner Trice called for roles in the group focused on affordability, climate adaptation, greenspace, and retail mix. Planning director Steve Cover highlighted the need to design public spaces artfully.

The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation explained how transfer of development rights can help retain Main Street's walkability, feel, and scale.

THE ART OF LEISURE

The Limelight district is growing a community garden. The seafood and music festival is moving from J.D Hamel Park to the Sarasota County Fairgrounds. Developer Hugh Culverhouse embraced Embracing our Differences. The Ringling museum opened an exhibit of regional fine artists with Skyway 2024. Architecture Sarasota gives a peek under the covers of Sarasota School architect Victor Lundy’s Galloway’s Furniture Showroom at the Sarasota Art Museum.

COMING UP - CITY COMMISSION FORUM

Tiger Bay, the area’s largest non-partisan civic organization, recently hosted a forum for District 1 city commission candidates (Kyle Battie, Sequoia Felton, and Melissa Furman). The top two vote-getters in the August 20 primary will advance to the general election.

Tickets are still available for Tiger Bay’s Thursday, August 15 forum, featuring city commission candidates for District 2 (Liz Alpert and Ron Kashden) and District 3 (Erik Arroyo and Kathy Kelley Ohlrich).