The intersection of Main Street and Palm Avenue has been due for a makeover for more than four years, with as much as $130,000 set aside to install plants, brick and benches.
But for those same four years, the project has been mired in debate.
On one side, members of the downtown group Save Our Sarasota want more trees and plants. On the other side merchants and some downtown residents prefer an urban look with more brick and fewer plants.
But everyone agrees Main and Palm is a key intersection, and ought to be a model for other intersections.
Now, after several failed attempts at compromise, city officials have appointed a committee to break the stalemate.
The five-member group -- which consists of a property owner, a restaurateur, a gardener, a downtown condo resident and a person who has lobbied in the past for more greenery downtown -- will have its first meeting Tuesday to talk about improvements at Main Street and Palm Avenue.
.................
Janice Green, who voiced concerns about an earlier plan to spruce up the intersection, hopes that the committee will come up with something more palatable.
"There has to be some greenery so you don't feel overwhelmed," Green said. "Even New York City has lots of trees on the east side.
"Green is chairwoman of Save Our Sarasota, a group that has lobbied against several proposals to make downtown more urban.
"Let's see what they come up with," Green said. "So far, SOS is very pleased with what is going on. I think it is a wonderful first step."
Carol Reynolds, also a member of Save Our Sarasota, will serve on the committee.
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Greening of Main
From an article in today's SHT concerning the proposed downtown green policy:
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sarasota Green Connection Event
Sarasota Green World Café
July 3, 2008
“Creating A Safe Lawn For Your Family”
Imagine rolling in a circle of deep lush green fragrant grass. Imagine not worrying about residual chemicals or invasive odors in your own yard – a place that should be your own private escape from the toils of your daily grind. Imagine your children and pets frolicking in a chemical-free paradise.
At the July Green World Café, listen to Safescapes offer advice on how to create your own “safe” haven, or let us do it for you. Heath Jorgenson, landscape design and consultant of Tranquillescapes, and Paige Taggart Long of Safescapes, have joined forces to create a dynamic duo that is out to revolutionize the way we care for our lawns. From the products other landscape professionals apply to the gas guzzling equipment that they use, Safescapes can offer alternatives that will give you peace of mind.
SARASOTA GREEN CONNECTION (SGC) INVITES YOU TO ATTEND THE JULY GREEN WORLD CAFÉ EVENT ON JULY 3rd, 2008 FROM 7-9 PM IN THE WHOLE FOODS MARKET WHOLE LIFESTYLE CENTER AT THE CORNER OF 1ST STREET AND LEMON AVE.
The Green World Café is brought to you by Sarasota Green Marketplace and is co-sponsored by Natural Awakenings in celebration of the Earth Charter. It is held the first Thursday of every month and is FREE and open to the public. Each event features a Sarasota Green Connection (SGC) Approved Business Owner or Friend. After the featured speaker, an interactive conversation takes place that focuses on one of the Earth Charter principles.
For more info visit http://www.earthcharter.org/ and to find other SGC Approved businesses, visit http://www.sarasotagreenconnection.com/.
Sarasota Green Connection is a division of Sarasota Green Marketplace.
July 3, 2008
“Creating A Safe Lawn For Your Family”
Imagine rolling in a circle of deep lush green fragrant grass. Imagine not worrying about residual chemicals or invasive odors in your own yard – a place that should be your own private escape from the toils of your daily grind. Imagine your children and pets frolicking in a chemical-free paradise.
At the July Green World Café, listen to Safescapes offer advice on how to create your own “safe” haven, or let us do it for you. Heath Jorgenson, landscape design and consultant of Tranquillescapes, and Paige Taggart Long of Safescapes, have joined forces to create a dynamic duo that is out to revolutionize the way we care for our lawns. From the products other landscape professionals apply to the gas guzzling equipment that they use, Safescapes can offer alternatives that will give you peace of mind.
SARASOTA GREEN CONNECTION (SGC) INVITES YOU TO ATTEND THE JULY GREEN WORLD CAFÉ EVENT ON JULY 3rd, 2008 FROM 7-9 PM IN THE WHOLE FOODS MARKET WHOLE LIFESTYLE CENTER AT THE CORNER OF 1ST STREET AND LEMON AVE.
The Green World Café is brought to you by Sarasota Green Marketplace and is co-sponsored by Natural Awakenings in celebration of the Earth Charter. It is held the first Thursday of every month and is FREE and open to the public. Each event features a Sarasota Green Connection (SGC) Approved Business Owner or Friend. After the featured speaker, an interactive conversation takes place that focuses on one of the Earth Charter principles.
For more info visit http://www.earthcharter.org/ and to find other SGC Approved businesses, visit http://www.sarasotagreenconnection.com/.
Sarasota Green Connection is a division of Sarasota Green Marketplace.
Contact Mary Anne Bowie
Sarasota Green Marketplace
941.321.0424
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Better Streets
Better Streets
Click on the above and you will find a web site describing a proposal for San Francisco to improve their streets.
Be sure to run the mouse over the street scenes to see what the same street could become.
Green space and trees make the difference. This is what Save Our Sarasota has been promoting for several years: save the existing trees and add more.
The visual change is amazing.
Click on the above and you will find a web site describing a proposal for San Francisco to improve their streets.
Be sure to run the mouse over the street scenes to see what the same street could become.
Green space and trees make the difference. This is what Save Our Sarasota has been promoting for several years: save the existing trees and add more.
The visual change is amazing.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Downtown Greenspace Policy Update
In response to the overwhelming support for greenspace expressed by citizens, the City Commission reaffirmed its commitment to downtown landscaping by directing staff to draft changes to the Downtown Master Plan to reflect a commitment to greenspace versus the current hardscape focus.
Commissioners also asked representatives from resident, merchant and property owner organizations to work together on the landscaping design for the planned renovation of the Main and Palm intersection.
Your support through emails, attendance at meetings and phone calls has been instrumental in letting our Commissioners know how important downtown greenspace is to citizens. We are so grateful to each of you for your participation in these efforts.
Steering Committee
Save Our Sarasota
Commissioners also asked representatives from resident, merchant and property owner organizations to work together on the landscaping design for the planned renovation of the Main and Palm intersection.
Your support through emails, attendance at meetings and phone calls has been instrumental in letting our Commissioners know how important downtown greenspace is to citizens. We are so grateful to each of you for your participation in these efforts.
Steering Committee
Save Our Sarasota
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