Duany Returns

Andres Duany returned to Sarasota last week, ostensibly to review Sarasota's progress towards a pedestrian friendly, human scale downtown as envisioned in our Downtown Master Plan that was enacted in 2001.

A public forum provided a platform for his views and remarks. The SHT story is here.

Some of his comments:

• The pace of change is extraordinary.
• The connection of downtown to the bayfront must be a priority, slowing traffic is a key element.
• One element of dysfunctional planning is that the decision makers have not become "experts", that is understanding the basic principles of planning and design.
• Sarasota is well structured (historical layout) for walkable downtown neighborhoods.
• The Master Plan intended to have free standing parking structures, not to force developers to provide parking - this allows smaller buildings - cannot retrofit the downtown, must get garages now.
• One problem is that Sarasota is getting only mega-projects.
• A well designed bus system will do wonders for downtown.
• When Sarasota Bayside is completed (Quay), Main Street will take a big hit. Must start upgrading these stores now.
• New hurricane codes have made housing very expensive. Must get affordable housing downtown.
• The planning staff in Sarasota is very good.