From an article in The Economist:
San Jose has attempted to create a commercial heart by selling city-owned land or even giving it away to developers. The city offers tax breaks and uses a portion of the property tax to pay for improvement projects. Since the late 1970s the redevelopment agency has shelled out $2 billion, almost two-thirds of it on downtown. It has built museums and theatres to lure people to the centre. Trams have been supplied to entice them out of their cars.
Such largesse has indisputably made the middle of San Jose more appealing than it used to be. By any measure other than an historical one, though, the campaign has been a failure. The office vacancy rate in downtown stands at 21%—higher than it was four years ago, during the dotcom slump, and almost twice as high as the Silicon Valley average. The theatres, which were supposed to lift downtown, now depend on the council to bail them out of trouble. In a city of 912,000 people, just 30,000 passengers ride trams each day. All this in a wealthy metropolis that has higher house prices than anywhere else in America, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Despite its anaemic condition, most visitors to San Jose at least know where downtown is. That is not the case in Las Vegas. The historical centre, with its string of small casinos and its neon cowboy, once seemed glitzy. It is now a shadow of the Las Vegas Strip, which has grown dementedly since the late 1980s, building ever larger, more exuberant hotels. Despite offering better odds than their competitors, the downtown casinos took in $630m last year, compared with $6.7 billion on the Strip. And they are the brightest spots in the area. Beside them lie cheap motels, shuttered shops and bail bondsmen.
The article is titled "Where the lights aren't bright." It is worth reading.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
A Major Tree Issue
Trees sacrificed for more roadway
By Jack Gurney-Pelican Press
Nobody knows for sure just how many trees Sarasota County has sacrificed so it can widen a 1.8-mile stretch of Bahia Vista Street to four lanes, but the current estimate exceeds 1,700 for a project that is costing taxpayers more than $27 million.
"This was a tough one on the trees," conceded David Godson, a county forester. "There were tons of them in the construction area and not much hope to preserve any in the right-of-way.
We looked after those that had the potential to be saved."
This is a disturbing issue that we face too many times in our city and county. We talk about the need to preserve the environment, global warming, storm water run-off and the nutrients that come with it and the negative effect on Sarasota Bay, yet development pressure takes hold and we remove precious tree canopy.
The full Pelican story can be accessed here.
A sad day for all of us.
By Jack Gurney-Pelican Press
Nobody knows for sure just how many trees Sarasota County has sacrificed so it can widen a 1.8-mile stretch of Bahia Vista Street to four lanes, but the current estimate exceeds 1,700 for a project that is costing taxpayers more than $27 million.
"This was a tough one on the trees," conceded David Godson, a county forester. "There were tons of them in the construction area and not much hope to preserve any in the right-of-way.
We looked after those that had the potential to be saved."
This is a disturbing issue that we face too many times in our city and county. We talk about the need to preserve the environment, global warming, storm water run-off and the nutrients that come with it and the negative effect on Sarasota Bay, yet development pressure takes hold and we remove precious tree canopy.
The full Pelican story can be accessed here.
A sad day for all of us.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Trees and North Port
North Port is in south Sarasota County - it is one of the fastest growing areas of Florida. The following story highlights one of the growth issues:
Article published Mar 8, 2007 in the Sarasota Herald Tribune
By HEATHER ALLEN:
NORTH PORT -- City hall insiders know it as the battle between "the tree people" and "the builders.
"The dispute is what you would expect: conserving vs. building. But this squabble isn't as simple as it sounds.
Not in a place where the transformation from a sleepy town into a booming community of big-box stores and $400,000 homes affects everyday life and where roads can't be built, repaired or widened fast enough.
Perhaps no issue better illustrates the friction between the people who think things are changing too fast and those who say development is the key to North Port's future than the yearlong effort to draft a tree ordinance.
Conservationists say they're trying to bring a responsible sense of environmental stewardship to the city.Builders and some city leaders view their efforts as unrealistic and a threat to North Port's economic engine.
And while some portray the conflict as environmentalists vs. builders, the city has not been on the sidelines. In 2002, it sent out mailers telling residents that a proposed tree protection law which assessed fees for protected trees removed during new development would weaken tree protection, not improve it.
"There's a misconception that every builder clear-cuts every lot that they can," said Paul Morgan of the North Port Contractors Association. "I think you've got some people who are very passionate about their trees and I can understand it to a point -- because I love trees.
"The finger-pointing began last year when the city decided the best way to quell the feud was to appoint an equal number of tree people and builders on the Blue Ribbon Ad-Hoc Tree Committee.
The eight-member board was asked to craft an ordinance that would set steeper fines for illegally clearing land and propose other preservation standards.
But what was intended to be a collaborative effort quickly fell apart when the builders quit the committee.
Instead of scrapping the committee, additional tree enthusiasts were added to replace the departed builders. Then, last month, the city commission dissolved the committee and directed city staff to draft an ordinance, a decision that has some tree committee members claiming the city never took them seriously in the first place.
Article published Mar 8, 2007 in the Sarasota Herald Tribune
By HEATHER ALLEN:
NORTH PORT -- City hall insiders know it as the battle between "the tree people" and "the builders.
"The dispute is what you would expect: conserving vs. building. But this squabble isn't as simple as it sounds.
Not in a place where the transformation from a sleepy town into a booming community of big-box stores and $400,000 homes affects everyday life and where roads can't be built, repaired or widened fast enough.
Perhaps no issue better illustrates the friction between the people who think things are changing too fast and those who say development is the key to North Port's future than the yearlong effort to draft a tree ordinance.
Conservationists say they're trying to bring a responsible sense of environmental stewardship to the city.Builders and some city leaders view their efforts as unrealistic and a threat to North Port's economic engine.
And while some portray the conflict as environmentalists vs. builders, the city has not been on the sidelines. In 2002, it sent out mailers telling residents that a proposed tree protection law which assessed fees for protected trees removed during new development would weaken tree protection, not improve it.
"There's a misconception that every builder clear-cuts every lot that they can," said Paul Morgan of the North Port Contractors Association. "I think you've got some people who are very passionate about their trees and I can understand it to a point -- because I love trees.
"The finger-pointing began last year when the city decided the best way to quell the feud was to appoint an equal number of tree people and builders on the Blue Ribbon Ad-Hoc Tree Committee.
The eight-member board was asked to craft an ordinance that would set steeper fines for illegally clearing land and propose other preservation standards.
But what was intended to be a collaborative effort quickly fell apart when the builders quit the committee.
Instead of scrapping the committee, additional tree enthusiasts were added to replace the departed builders. Then, last month, the city commission dissolved the committee and directed city staff to draft an ordinance, a decision that has some tree committee members claiming the city never took them seriously in the first place.
In the News - The Hits Keep On Coming
Time Magazine's on line version has a story about the demolition of Paul Rudolph buildings. Included is a reference to Riverview High School here in Sarasota:
And Riverview High School in Sarasota, Fla., the city where Rudolph started his career in the 1940 and '50s, is now in danger of being sacrificed for a parking lot.
Check the entire story at this link. There is also a reference to the NY Times article about the same issue a couple days ago.
And Riverview High School in Sarasota, Fla., the city where Rudolph started his career in the 1940 and '50s, is now in danger of being sacrificed for a parking lot.
Check the entire story at this link. There is also a reference to the NY Times article about the same issue a couple days ago.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Arts Tour
EXPERIENCE THE 36TH ANNUAL CREATORS & COLLECTORS TOUR
The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota offers the opportunity on March 16-17 to purchase artwork as you visit the home studios of photographer Steven Katzman, painters Olivia Braida and Julie Trigg, sculptor Frank Colson, potter Ann Darling and collector Carolyn Michel.
Also, a Galleria of nine local artists formerly featured on FASS tours:
Jack Dowd
Dee Winterhalter
Ki Woon Hu
Bill Buchman
Larry Forgard
John and Suzie Seerey-Lester
Adrianne Winer
Peppi Elona
will be presented in the Crossley Gallery at the Ringling School of Art as part of this self-guided tour between 10-4 each day.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the artist's homes or the following locations:
SARASOTA CENTRAL
Van Wezel Box Office
Ace Hardware - all stores
Davidson Drugs - all locations
Blue Line, 301 N.Central
BOX Furniture Boutique, 1417 1ST ST
Metro Coffee & Wine Café, 711 S. Osprey
State of the Art Gallery, 1525 State St
Gallery of Colleen Cassidy Berns, 4613 S. Tamiami
Piper Collectibles, Coral Cove Mall, 8419 S. Tamiami
Sarasota Enchanted Flowers,
Plaza at Palmer Ranch, 8419 S. Tamiami
LONGBOAT KEY, ST. ARMANDS KEY
Longboat Key Art Center, 6868 S.Longboat Dr.
Exit Art - all 3 locations
SIESTA KEY:
Davidson Drugs, all locations
LAKEWOOD RANCH
Kemery’s Hallmark, 8322 Market St
VENICE:
Paper Pad 213 W. Venice Ave
Venice Art Center 390 S. Nokomis Ave
Call 941-330-0680 for information.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Seagate Story
The Cincinnati Enquirer has an article about the Crosley Mansion - Seagate. Excerpts are below.
If you're heading to see the Reds spring training in Sarasota, Fla., plan a visit to the beautifully restored mansion of former Reds owner Powel Crosley Jr.
The Cincinnati industrialist, inventor, automaker and WLW-AM founder built the lavish 21-room Mediterranean-style home in 1929, five years before he purchased his hometown baseball team.
Called Seagate, it was nestled among pine trees on picturesque Sarasota Bay.
Today it's hidden by the new University of South Florida campus on former Crosley property along the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41). The Crosley mansion is easily overlooked by vacationers who instead flock to the estate of Crosley's friend and next-door neighbor, circus owner and art collector John Ringling.
But Seagate definitely is worth trying to find on Wednesdays, when free public tours are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Inside, visitors will see the original pecky cypress ceiling beams and Italian tile floor in the living room where Powel and his wife, Gwendolyn, entertained guests for 10 years, until she died in 1939.
Upstairs they'll see Crosley's round wood-paneled nautical-themed office, with a ceiling wind-direction arrow connected to a rooftop weathervane.
Thanks to My Florida History for discovering this article. There is lots of interesting information at the My Florida History blog site.
If you're heading to see the Reds spring training in Sarasota, Fla., plan a visit to the beautifully restored mansion of former Reds owner Powel Crosley Jr.
The Cincinnati industrialist, inventor, automaker and WLW-AM founder built the lavish 21-room Mediterranean-style home in 1929, five years before he purchased his hometown baseball team.
Called Seagate, it was nestled among pine trees on picturesque Sarasota Bay.
Today it's hidden by the new University of South Florida campus on former Crosley property along the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41). The Crosley mansion is easily overlooked by vacationers who instead flock to the estate of Crosley's friend and next-door neighbor, circus owner and art collector John Ringling.
But Seagate definitely is worth trying to find on Wednesdays, when free public tours are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Inside, visitors will see the original pecky cypress ceiling beams and Italian tile floor in the living room where Powel and his wife, Gwendolyn, entertained guests for 10 years, until she died in 1939.
Upstairs they'll see Crosley's round wood-paneled nautical-themed office, with a ceiling wind-direction arrow connected to a rooftop weathervane.
Thanks to My Florida History for discovering this article. There is lots of interesting information at the My Florida History blog site.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Growth Control
Orlando Sentinel article.
Sierra Club backs push to let voters rule growth
The group's $35,000 gift boosts Florida Hometown Democracy, which business groups decry.
Kevin Spear Sentinel Staff Writer Posted March 1, 2007
Backers of a statewide proposal to give voters ultimate authority over new subdivisions, shopping centers and other future growth received a $35,000 contribution and vows of vigorous support from one of Florida's largest environmental groups Wednesday.
The Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club stepped firmly behind the Florida Hometown Democracy campaign, which aims to gather enough voter signatures to put a proposed constitutional amendment on next year's ballot. If passed, local politicians would have to win voter approval to change growth-planning guidelines.
"I think more and more people are becoming outraged by how we are growing," said John Hedrick, Sierra chairman for growth issues, who announced his group's support in Tallahassee. "I think people feel cut out of the planning process."
Hedrick said the Sierra Club in Florida has 18 local groups with a combined membership of more than 30,000. Each group has pledged to secure thousands of voter signatures.
Ross Burnaman, co-founder of the movement, said the proposal needs about 611,000 verified signatures by early next year. So far, Hometown Democracy has gathered 250,000 signatures, and about 110,000 have been approved by county elections supervisors, he said.
The proposal has drawn the ire of business associations and interest groups. Among them, the Florida Chamber of Commerce has launched a campaign that mocks the proposal as a "Hometown Democracy Scam."
"It would mean no new jobs and no new roads in Florida," said Adam Babington, coalition director at the chamber in Tallahassee. "It would turn every growth decision into a negative political campaign."
Florida Hometown backers said that kind of reaction stems from fears among development interests that the proposed amendment would make it harder to maximize profits.
"I think the Florida Chamber of Commerce is a little hysterical," said Lesley Blackner, the other co-founder of Hometown Democracy. "It's not a scam; it's about letting people vote. Maybe they don't want endless [population] density crammed down their throats."
Burnaman, of Tallahassee, and Blackner, of Palm Beach County, are land-use and environmental lawyers who joined together in 2003 to start Florida Hometown Democracy.
Voters can get ballot-petition forms online at florida hometowndemocracy.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-779-5513.
The initial effort to get on the 2006 ballot was struck down in 2005 by the state Supreme Court, which ruled that the proposed amendment's language did not meet legal requirements. The two lawyers regrouped later in 2005 with revised language that went on to win approval.
Another obstacle to the initiative emerged last year when Florida voters decided that future ballot questions must gain at least 60 percent support to be approved, rather than the simple majority that long had been the standard.
Still, observers say the proposal has a good chance of getting on the 2008 ballot and perhaps a better chance of winning approval.
"I think if it were on the ballot today it would pass easily," said University of South Florida political-science professor Susan MacManus, adding that resentment for growth is "strengthening day by day.
"If voters approve Florida Hometown Democracy, her worry is whether people would vote on complex growth issues.
"Local elections have low turnout, and I think you might have critical decisions being made by people with an agenda," MacManus said.
Tom Drage, lead attorney for Orange County government, said he is concerned about whether voters will want to inform themselves on many complicated issues.
In the past four years, Orange County has reviewed 262 applications for changes in growth plans and approved 125. Those vary from wording changes to reclassifications for intense development.
Tim Jackson, an Orlando planning consultant and vice president of the controlled-growth advocacy group 1000 Friends of Florida, said his organization is concerned Florida Hometown Democracy will turn local planning into popularity contests based on who has the most cash for marketing campaigns.
"We're not promoting it," Jackson said. "We are promoting people being engaged actively in their community."
The Central Florida think tank myregion.org, which has business and government backing, recently conducted a survey asking residents to pick from among alternative visions for managing a population that could double to more than 7 million residents by 2050.
Hedrick of the Sierra Club said the survey suggested that such growth in inevitable."That's poppycock," he said. "They are not asking the fundamental question of, 'Is that what the people of Florida want?' "
Sierra Club backs push to let voters rule growth
The group's $35,000 gift boosts Florida Hometown Democracy, which business groups decry.
Kevin Spear Sentinel Staff Writer Posted March 1, 2007
Backers of a statewide proposal to give voters ultimate authority over new subdivisions, shopping centers and other future growth received a $35,000 contribution and vows of vigorous support from one of Florida's largest environmental groups Wednesday.
The Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club stepped firmly behind the Florida Hometown Democracy campaign, which aims to gather enough voter signatures to put a proposed constitutional amendment on next year's ballot. If passed, local politicians would have to win voter approval to change growth-planning guidelines.
"I think more and more people are becoming outraged by how we are growing," said John Hedrick, Sierra chairman for growth issues, who announced his group's support in Tallahassee. "I think people feel cut out of the planning process."
Hedrick said the Sierra Club in Florida has 18 local groups with a combined membership of more than 30,000. Each group has pledged to secure thousands of voter signatures.
Ross Burnaman, co-founder of the movement, said the proposal needs about 611,000 verified signatures by early next year. So far, Hometown Democracy has gathered 250,000 signatures, and about 110,000 have been approved by county elections supervisors, he said.
The proposal has drawn the ire of business associations and interest groups. Among them, the Florida Chamber of Commerce has launched a campaign that mocks the proposal as a "Hometown Democracy Scam."
"It would mean no new jobs and no new roads in Florida," said Adam Babington, coalition director at the chamber in Tallahassee. "It would turn every growth decision into a negative political campaign."
Florida Hometown backers said that kind of reaction stems from fears among development interests that the proposed amendment would make it harder to maximize profits.
"I think the Florida Chamber of Commerce is a little hysterical," said Lesley Blackner, the other co-founder of Hometown Democracy. "It's not a scam; it's about letting people vote. Maybe they don't want endless [population] density crammed down their throats."
Burnaman, of Tallahassee, and Blackner, of Palm Beach County, are land-use and environmental lawyers who joined together in 2003 to start Florida Hometown Democracy.
Voters can get ballot-petition forms online at florida hometowndemocracy.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-779-5513.
The initial effort to get on the 2006 ballot was struck down in 2005 by the state Supreme Court, which ruled that the proposed amendment's language did not meet legal requirements. The two lawyers regrouped later in 2005 with revised language that went on to win approval.
Another obstacle to the initiative emerged last year when Florida voters decided that future ballot questions must gain at least 60 percent support to be approved, rather than the simple majority that long had been the standard.
Still, observers say the proposal has a good chance of getting on the 2008 ballot and perhaps a better chance of winning approval.
"I think if it were on the ballot today it would pass easily," said University of South Florida political-science professor Susan MacManus, adding that resentment for growth is "strengthening day by day.
"If voters approve Florida Hometown Democracy, her worry is whether people would vote on complex growth issues.
"Local elections have low turnout, and I think you might have critical decisions being made by people with an agenda," MacManus said.
Tom Drage, lead attorney for Orange County government, said he is concerned about whether voters will want to inform themselves on many complicated issues.
In the past four years, Orange County has reviewed 262 applications for changes in growth plans and approved 125. Those vary from wording changes to reclassifications for intense development.
Tim Jackson, an Orlando planning consultant and vice president of the controlled-growth advocacy group 1000 Friends of Florida, said his organization is concerned Florida Hometown Democracy will turn local planning into popularity contests based on who has the most cash for marketing campaigns.
"We're not promoting it," Jackson said. "We are promoting people being engaged actively in their community."
The Central Florida think tank myregion.org, which has business and government backing, recently conducted a survey asking residents to pick from among alternative visions for managing a population that could double to more than 7 million residents by 2050.
Hedrick of the Sierra Club said the survey suggested that such growth in inevitable."That's poppycock," he said. "They are not asking the fundamental question of, 'Is that what the people of Florida want?' "
Thursday, March 01, 2007
17TH ANNUAL SARASOTA HISTORIC HOMES TOUR
The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation is proud to present the 17th Annual Historic Homes Tour on Sunday, March 4th from 11 AM to 5 PM.
This year’s tour will feature five delightful residences within their neighborhood context. Neighborhoods are an important part of Sarasota’s historical setting and help to define our city’s character, beauty and unique identity. Two homes are located in the Avondale Neighborhood, south of Hudson Bayou, and another three in the Grove Heights neighborhood.
“Teardown of historic homes has plagued the nation’s urban areas and affects us in Sarasota as well” states Alliance President, Christopher Wenzel on the decision to emphasize the neighborhood theme. “One by one, teardowns and larger scale replacements take an individual pearl from our string of pearls.”
1905 Alta Vista Street
The William and Bessie Pearsall House is a two story Mediterranean Style residence. Designed and built by local prominent architect Thomas Reed Martin in 1925, the home reflects the style and living standard of the time. It also embodies the history of economic expansion in the city of Sarasota. In 1928, the Pearsalls lost the home to foreclosure. The home was then sold to William and Emma Geiger and Bessie Pearsall transferred the furnishings of the house to the Geigers for $700.
1124 Brewer Place
This two story bungalow design features Moorish and Italianate influences – most notably the large square tower and parapet of the front façade. The building is thought to have been constructed for utility purposes, serving either as a pump house or fire station in the 1930’s and 40’s. An early plat map of the Avondale Subdivision shows the undersized lot between adjacent corner lots on the block adding to the theory it was not originally intended as a residence.
1828 Grove Street
The Edward H. Knight Residence is a one story wood frame bungalow with detached garage. Possibly moved to the property, the residence appears on the 1936 tax rolls when the property ownership was transferred from Ella Cobb to Edward Knight. Ella Cobb is thought to have been the wife of real estate developer, J. Paul Cobb, brother of the illustrious baseball player, Ty Cobb. An interesting feature of the home is beneath the trap door in the rear hallway. It leads to a small concrete room that was once a cistern for the collection of rainwater.
1936 Grove Street
This 1925 one story bungalow with detached garage, known as the Westmore Tenant house and Smith brewer Home, a Spanish eclectic style residence incorporates qualities of Spanish, Colonial, Byzantine, Moorish, Mission and Italianate styles. It represents the American democratic ideal of the emerging middle class, providing quality low-cost housing with excellent craftsmanship.
1919 Grove Street
The Ryan Garner Residence, a one story cross gabled Spanish bungalow, represents typical home construction during the Florida Land Boom. The home was purchased in 1926, following the October hurricane, by the family of Dan Ryan, a mortgage broker from Cleveland, Ohio. Other prominent local owners of the property include Frank Binz, Jr. of Binz and Lambert Construction and Edgar Allen Garner, who served as Chief of Police for the City of Sarasota from 1933 to 1949. Interior furnishings are exquisite and the home was recently featured in “Romantic Living” magazine.
The $20 tickets can be purchased in advance at Davidson Drugs, Main Books, Sarasota News and Books, The Sarasota County History Center, Sarasota Architectural Salvage and Historic Spanish Point. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the tour at any of the tour homes.
The mission of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation is to preserve and enhance our historic places. We invite you to celebrate Sarasota’s rich architectural heritage and diversity by visiting these beautiful homes in their historic neighborhoods. For more information, call the Alliance at 941-953-8727.
This year’s tour will feature five delightful residences within their neighborhood context. Neighborhoods are an important part of Sarasota’s historical setting and help to define our city’s character, beauty and unique identity. Two homes are located in the Avondale Neighborhood, south of Hudson Bayou, and another three in the Grove Heights neighborhood.
“Teardown of historic homes has plagued the nation’s urban areas and affects us in Sarasota as well” states Alliance President, Christopher Wenzel on the decision to emphasize the neighborhood theme. “One by one, teardowns and larger scale replacements take an individual pearl from our string of pearls.”
1905 Alta Vista Street
The William and Bessie Pearsall House is a two story Mediterranean Style residence. Designed and built by local prominent architect Thomas Reed Martin in 1925, the home reflects the style and living standard of the time. It also embodies the history of economic expansion in the city of Sarasota. In 1928, the Pearsalls lost the home to foreclosure. The home was then sold to William and Emma Geiger and Bessie Pearsall transferred the furnishings of the house to the Geigers for $700.
1124 Brewer Place
This two story bungalow design features Moorish and Italianate influences – most notably the large square tower and parapet of the front façade. The building is thought to have been constructed for utility purposes, serving either as a pump house or fire station in the 1930’s and 40’s. An early plat map of the Avondale Subdivision shows the undersized lot between adjacent corner lots on the block adding to the theory it was not originally intended as a residence.
1828 Grove Street
The Edward H. Knight Residence is a one story wood frame bungalow with detached garage. Possibly moved to the property, the residence appears on the 1936 tax rolls when the property ownership was transferred from Ella Cobb to Edward Knight. Ella Cobb is thought to have been the wife of real estate developer, J. Paul Cobb, brother of the illustrious baseball player, Ty Cobb. An interesting feature of the home is beneath the trap door in the rear hallway. It leads to a small concrete room that was once a cistern for the collection of rainwater.
1936 Grove Street
This 1925 one story bungalow with detached garage, known as the Westmore Tenant house and Smith brewer Home, a Spanish eclectic style residence incorporates qualities of Spanish, Colonial, Byzantine, Moorish, Mission and Italianate styles. It represents the American democratic ideal of the emerging middle class, providing quality low-cost housing with excellent craftsmanship.
1919 Grove Street
The Ryan Garner Residence, a one story cross gabled Spanish bungalow, represents typical home construction during the Florida Land Boom. The home was purchased in 1926, following the October hurricane, by the family of Dan Ryan, a mortgage broker from Cleveland, Ohio. Other prominent local owners of the property include Frank Binz, Jr. of Binz and Lambert Construction and Edgar Allen Garner, who served as Chief of Police for the City of Sarasota from 1933 to 1949. Interior furnishings are exquisite and the home was recently featured in “Romantic Living” magazine.
The $20 tickets can be purchased in advance at Davidson Drugs, Main Books, Sarasota News and Books, The Sarasota County History Center, Sarasota Architectural Salvage and Historic Spanish Point. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the tour at any of the tour homes.
The mission of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation is to preserve and enhance our historic places. We invite you to celebrate Sarasota’s rich architectural heritage and diversity by visiting these beautiful homes in their historic neighborhoods. For more information, call the Alliance at 941-953-8727.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
SOS Recommends "YES" on County Charter Amendment
The SHT recommends voting "YES" on the referendum question concerning requiring county approval for land use changes for annexed land outside the urban service boundary.
Sarasota County voters will soon be asked: Should the County Commission have the ability to approve proposals that would make annexed rural lands ripe for city development?
The case for voting "yes" is compelling, especially since county approval would only be required if the land isn't covered by a city-county planning agreement.
A voter-approved amendment to the county charter is necessary to give the commission a say in city-initiated changes to lands lying outside the "Urban Services Boundary" and designated by the county plan as rural.
Likewise the Pelican Press recommends a "YES" vote:
Let's cool the overheated growth in South County
Voters countywide have a chance March 13 to slow the growth that is exploding in southern Sarasota County, as Venice and North Port expand their tax bases by bringing formerly rural lands into the cities and permitting massive, sprawling developments.
Fortunately for the cities, the residential streets from all these projects empty onto county roads - rural county roads - and ultimately onto state roads, which the cities have no obligation to improve or maintain. That falls to all county taxpayers.
The same is true for providing schools for these residents' children, water and sewage treatment, drainage, storm sewers, parks ... The list goes on.
Since 2000, North Port has increased its size by more than 18,000 acres and has rezoned land to accommodate 26,520 new homes or apartments. County Planning Department calculations say that ultimately will mean 253,796 more vehicular trips and a demand for 3,276,500 additional gallons of water - per day.
A proposal worth venturing to the polls for - it may be the only thing on the ballot in many precincts - is a proposition that would in effect give Sarasota County veto power when cities attempt to annex rural county land for expansion, stemming this growth before it is too late.
Developers, big landowners and their legal, banking and business allies are expected to mount a late, negative campaign against the measure. Don't believe it.
The Pelican Press strongly urges all county residents to go to the polls and vote "Yes" on the county charter amendment.
Save Our Sarasota agrees with these recommendations.
Sarasota County voters will soon be asked: Should the County Commission have the ability to approve proposals that would make annexed rural lands ripe for city development?
The case for voting "yes" is compelling, especially since county approval would only be required if the land isn't covered by a city-county planning agreement.
A voter-approved amendment to the county charter is necessary to give the commission a say in city-initiated changes to lands lying outside the "Urban Services Boundary" and designated by the county plan as rural.
Likewise the Pelican Press recommends a "YES" vote:
Let's cool the overheated growth in South County
Voters countywide have a chance March 13 to slow the growth that is exploding in southern Sarasota County, as Venice and North Port expand their tax bases by bringing formerly rural lands into the cities and permitting massive, sprawling developments.
Fortunately for the cities, the residential streets from all these projects empty onto county roads - rural county roads - and ultimately onto state roads, which the cities have no obligation to improve or maintain. That falls to all county taxpayers.
The same is true for providing schools for these residents' children, water and sewage treatment, drainage, storm sewers, parks ... The list goes on.
Since 2000, North Port has increased its size by more than 18,000 acres and has rezoned land to accommodate 26,520 new homes or apartments. County Planning Department calculations say that ultimately will mean 253,796 more vehicular trips and a demand for 3,276,500 additional gallons of water - per day.
A proposal worth venturing to the polls for - it may be the only thing on the ballot in many precincts - is a proposition that would in effect give Sarasota County veto power when cities attempt to annex rural county land for expansion, stemming this growth before it is too late.
Developers, big landowners and their legal, banking and business allies are expected to mount a late, negative campaign against the measure. Don't believe it.
The Pelican Press strongly urges all county residents to go to the polls and vote "Yes" on the county charter amendment.
Save Our Sarasota agrees with these recommendations.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Garden Club
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Below are excerpts from a recent SHT article about the Sarasota Garden Club - one of Sarasota's great spaces.Article published Feb 24, 2007
Andy Papineau, the new president of Sarasota Garden Club, has something in common with and something in contrast to his predecessors. Like other presidents, he's vigorously dedicated to preserving and promoting the 1.4 acres of city-owned lushly planted parkland on Boulevard of the Arts near busy U.S. 41.
Andy Papineau, the new president of Sarasota Garden Club, has something in common with and something in contrast to his predecessors. Like other presidents, he's vigorously dedicated to preserving and promoting the 1.4 acres of city-owned lushly planted parkland on Boulevard of the Arts near busy U.S. 41.
Papineau is the first male ever elected to Sarasota Garden Club's highest office. Mable Ringling established the organization in 1927. Papineau, a Wisconsin transplant, wasn't looking to break an 80-year-old tradition. He was just looking for a garden to putter around in.
"When my wife, Mary Fran, and I moved to Sarasota five years ago, we settled in Village Walk, which is a no-maintenance, gated community," he said. "I missed my garden. Back in Sun Prairie, I had vegetable and flower gardens, as well as a rock garden; working in those spaces was stress relief from my job. Even though I retired to Florida, I didn't want to retire from gardening."
Architect John Crowell designed the [main building] structure in 1959 in the Sarasota School style with wide overhangs, a discreet profile and a Japanese feeling with the inclusion of shoji screens. Three sides of the function room are walls of sliding glass and when they open, interior and exterior spaces merge and the architecture disappears.
Other garden spaces to enjoy include a butterfly garden (25 varieties), cactus garden and a bromeliad garden. An exotic garden of hybrid hibiscus is dedicated to the military dead of World War II, and throughout the various specialty gardens are comfortable benches that have been given to Sarasota Garden Club as memorials to loved ones.
The potting shed, with its vivid blue-tile roof, reminds visitors of a Japanese teahouse and was a gift to the property from Marie Selby. Bert Brosmith was the architect."Some mornings, artists come to sketch or paint," said Papineau. "Other times, residents from the local high-rise apartments will wander over just to sit and listen to the waterfall and look at all the flowers. I call this place one of the hidden treasures of our town. It's here for the citizens of Sarasota to enjoy, and it's free."
Papineau believes his job as president is to promote Sarasota Garden Club's botanical property as one of the city's attractions and to insure that it remains an asset to the town. "We're in the part of Sarasota slated to change with the expanded cultural district," he said. "I've been attending city meetings to make sure that proposed roadways don't compromise this green space. This special land belongs to the City of Sarasota, but Sarasota Garden Club owns the buildings and leases the property on a five-year renewable contract. We're vigilant about wanting to preserve it."
All Sarasota Garden Club members (there are 185) take turns working at the Boulevard of the Arts property. To be part of Sarasota Garden Club, you join one of eight garden circles, based on interest in the specific activities of the circle. Some circles are craft oriented, others general purpose, others take on community projects. Driftwood Circle, for example, maintains Mable Ringling's secret garden at Ca d'Zan as one of its projects.
Membership in Sarasota Garden Club is $50. These dues support the club's scholarship program and help maintain the botanical park. Additionally, each garden circle has a membership fee. Circle members meet in private homes, but circles meet at Sarasota Garden Club for special events.
Besides maintaining the facilities, Sarasota Garden Club is actively engaged in community outreach through an annual flower show in March, scholarship programs, fee-based educational events, lectures, demonstrations, social activities and a variety of civic beautification projects through its circle members and through Sarasota Garden Club at large.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Saving Sarasota
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An interesting approach to saving an historical home can be seen at 1386 5th St in the Rosemary District.A new condo building is being built next to the home and it surrounds the home on three sides.
We applaud the effort to save this historic home.
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The home was built in 1901.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Ringling Removes Neighborhood Nuisance
The Ringling School of Art and Design recently acquired the Shell Station at the corner of N Tamiami Trail and Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. This station had been a hangout for drug dealers for years and the activity could not be stopped.
That is until RSAD bought the property.
After letting the students do a little art work on the building, it was leveled.
RSAD has not yet determined the future of the site but have indicated it could become the location of a signature campus entry building.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Seminar: Managing Mangroves for Shoreline Health
Managing Mangroves for Shoreline Health
Homeowner Seminar
Bayfront Community Center
803 N. Tamiami Tr, Sarasota, FL 34236
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
FREE OF CHARGE
Pre-registration required as space is limited.
Homeowner Seminar
Bayfront Community Center
803 N. Tamiami Tr, Sarasota, FL 34236
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
FREE OF CHARGE
Pre-registration required as space is limited.
Agenda
9:30 - 10:00
Sign-In
10:00 – 10:50
The Importance of the Mangrove Habitat John Stevely, UF/IFAS Extension Service – Agent, Sea Grant Marine Program
11:00 - 11:50
Protecting our Community’s Mangrove Resources Matt Osterhoudt, Sarasota County Natural Resources – Manager, Resource Protection
“Managing Mangroves for Shoreline Health”
Send Registration to: UF/IFAS - Sarasota County Extension, Attn.: Robin Welsh
Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Rd., Sarasota, FL 34241
Phone: (941) 861-9900 FAX: (941) 861-9886
Name:
Mailing Address: City/State/Zip:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Directions to Bayfront Community Center:
From Interstate 75, take exit 210 ( Fruitville Rd.) and go west to Tamiami Tr. (U.S. 41), turn right. Turn left into 10th St. and left into van Wezel Way. Bayfront Community Center is located behind the Municipal Auditorium.
Speaker Biographies:
Matt Osterhoudt graduated from North Carolina State University in 1997 with a BS in Natural Resources, Marine and Coastal Resource Management. After working with the Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program for two years, he has spent the last eight years with Sarasota County’s Resource Protection program, Natural Resources Department. At the County, he has worked in several different environmental permitting programs, supervised the Water & Navigation Control Authority dredge and fill program, and held the role of Project Scientist managing a variety of environmental projects including the Manatee Protection Plan, Habitat Conservation Plan for the Florida Scrub-jay, and the new partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to enhance mangrove protection throughout the County. He is currently the Manager of the County’s Resource Protection program. He believes that education is the key to striking a balance between natural resource protection and the needs of our growing community.
John Stevely graduated from Gettysburg College in 1972 with a BS in biology. He subsequently pursued graduate studies at the University of South Florida and received a MS in Marine Science in 1978. He has served as a regional Florida Sea Grant Marine Extension Agent for the past 27 years. During this tenure he has worked on a number of marine resource management issues, including habitat restoration, artificial reefs, waterway management, fisheries management, and trimming mangroves. He has witnessed a number of changes in the mangrove trimming regulations during his career and has worked closely with all facets of the Extension Service, including the Environmental Horticulture Program. Over a decade ago he played a founding role in the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program in Sarasota Bay. He strongly believes that the actions we take within our watershed and along our shorelines will affect our fishery resources.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Florida House to Move
Schools and county to facilitate discussion by community, stakeholders on future of Florida House After 13 years at its current location, the Florida House Learning Center, a demonstration home and garden for Florida-friendly, "green" residential building and landscaping, will move to a new site within the next 12 months.
Florida House, 4600 Beneva Road, is on the northwest corner of the SCTI campus at Beneva and Proctor roads. The relocation of the Florida House is necessary because the Sarasota County School Board plans to open a new technical high school by 2009 on the campus of the Sarasota County Technical Institute (SCTI).
Plans call for the new high school to share the campus with the existing adult technical school. The decision to proceed with the new school and the need to relocate the Florida House were confirmed at a school board meeting Tuesday. "We will work closely with Sarasota County government and with the many individuals and community organizations that support the Florida House to help facilitate a conversation about its future," said Dr. Gary Norris, superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.
"All of us are committed to helping find a new home for this important local and international resource, but the community must take the lead." Florida House opened in 1994 as a "guest" on the SCTI campus created by a partnership of non-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies and individuals.
It has seen more than 140,000 visitors in its 13-year history, including county residents and visitors, students of sustainability from governments and universities nationwide, and delegations from China, Egypt, Jordan, Mexico and Russia. The model Florida home and yard is a showcase for sustainability, teaching people about environmentally friendly lifestyles, landscape elements and building materials.
Florida House, funded by Sarasota County government, is staffed and operated by the University of Florida-Sarasota County Extension and volunteers. Anyone who has questions or suggestions about the future of the Florida House may send an e-mail to flhouse@scgov. net.
Florida House, 4600 Beneva Road, is on the northwest corner of the SCTI campus at Beneva and Proctor roads. The relocation of the Florida House is necessary because the Sarasota County School Board plans to open a new technical high school by 2009 on the campus of the Sarasota County Technical Institute (SCTI).
Plans call for the new high school to share the campus with the existing adult technical school. The decision to proceed with the new school and the need to relocate the Florida House were confirmed at a school board meeting Tuesday. "We will work closely with Sarasota County government and with the many individuals and community organizations that support the Florida House to help facilitate a conversation about its future," said Dr. Gary Norris, superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.
"All of us are committed to helping find a new home for this important local and international resource, but the community must take the lead." Florida House opened in 1994 as a "guest" on the SCTI campus created by a partnership of non-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies and individuals.
It has seen more than 140,000 visitors in its 13-year history, including county residents and visitors, students of sustainability from governments and universities nationwide, and delegations from China, Egypt, Jordan, Mexico and Russia. The model Florida home and yard is a showcase for sustainability, teaching people about environmentally friendly lifestyles, landscape elements and building materials.
Florida House, funded by Sarasota County government, is staffed and operated by the University of Florida-Sarasota County Extension and volunteers. Anyone who has questions or suggestions about the future of the Florida House may send an e-mail to flhouse@scgov. net.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
City Commission Elections
Save Our Sarasota does not endorse political candidates, but at this critical moment in our City's history encourages everyone to vote in the upcoming non-partisan City Commission election.
The following is a list of forums at which you can acquaint yourselves with the candidates and ask them questions about the crucial issues facing our City. Information on additional forums will be sent as it becomes available. Below you will also find voter information and a list of candidates.
Public candidate forums:
Monday, February 12 - 7:30 PM - Coalition of County Neighborhoods (CONA)
Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere Street, one block east of 41
All candidates
Tuesday, February 13 - 6:30 PM - Bayou Oaks Neighborhood Association
North Trail United Methodist Church
Candidates Atkins, Clapp, Daniels, Kowal, Servian, Sheffield
Thursday, February 22 - 7:00 PM - Alta Vista Neighborhood Association
Payne Park Auditorium, 2100 Laurel
Candidates Bilyeu and Kirschner
Friday, February 23 - 7:00 PM - Bellevue Terrace Neighborhood Association
Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere Street, one block east of 41
Candidates Bilyeu and Kirschner
Sunday, February 25 - 3:00 PM - Avondale & Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Associations Corner of Irving and Yale
Candidates Clapp, Daniels, Kowal and Servian
Monday, February 26 - 11:30 AM - League of Women Voters, Boxed lunch - $10 members/$12 non-members Reservations Required - 921.9778
Community Foundation of Sarasota, 2635 Fruitville Road, between Tuttle and Lime
All candidates
Tuesday, February 27 - 6:30 PM - Laurel Park Neighborhood Association
Payne Park Auditorium, 2100 Laurel
Candidates Bilyeu, Clapp, Daniels, Kirshchner, Kowal, Servian
Wednesday, February 28 - 4:00 PM - Arts Council Forum
1226 North Trail (SCOPE Building - 1st Floor conference room)
All candidates
Candidates: District 1 - Fredd "Glossie" Atkins, April Sheffield
District 2 - Richard "Dick" Clapp, Andrea Daniels, Denise Kowal, Mary Anne Servian
District 3 - Danny Bilyeu, Kelly Kirschner
You may vote only in your own district race. You can find your district at http://sarasota.perfectvote.com/FindPollPub.asp Fill in your address and scroll down to "City Officials," where it will show your district number.
Voting information:
February 12 - Last day to register to vote
February 26 - Early voting begins
March 7 - Last day for absentee ballot requests
March 13 - Election Day for 3 district seats - 4-year terms
Absentee ballots. Contact Sarasota County Elections office with a:
Phone request: 861-8618;
Mail request: PO Box 4194, Sarasota, FL 34230-4194;
Fax request: 861-8609;
or E-mail request: absentee@srqelections.com.
Information required for each of the above methods is name, address, date of birth, address where absentee ballot should be mailed and signature if mailed or faxed. All requests must be received by the Sarasota County Elections Office no later than Wednesday, March 7th, for the March 13th City Election to allow enough time for mailing.
Janice Green, Chair
Save Our Sarasota Steering Committee
The following is a list of forums at which you can acquaint yourselves with the candidates and ask them questions about the crucial issues facing our City. Information on additional forums will be sent as it becomes available. Below you will also find voter information and a list of candidates.
Public candidate forums:
Monday, February 12 - 7:30 PM - Coalition of County Neighborhoods (CONA)
Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere Street, one block east of 41
All candidates
Tuesday, February 13 - 6:30 PM - Bayou Oaks Neighborhood Association
North Trail United Methodist Church
Candidates Atkins, Clapp, Daniels, Kowal, Servian, Sheffield
Thursday, February 22 - 7:00 PM - Alta Vista Neighborhood Association
Payne Park Auditorium, 2100 Laurel
Candidates Bilyeu and Kirschner
Friday, February 23 - 7:00 PM - Bellevue Terrace Neighborhood Association
Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere Street, one block east of 41
Candidates Bilyeu and Kirschner
Sunday, February 25 - 3:00 PM - Avondale & Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Associations Corner of Irving and Yale
Candidates Clapp, Daniels, Kowal and Servian
Monday, February 26 - 11:30 AM - League of Women Voters, Boxed lunch - $10 members/$12 non-members Reservations Required - 921.9778
Community Foundation of Sarasota, 2635 Fruitville Road, between Tuttle and Lime
All candidates
Tuesday, February 27 - 6:30 PM - Laurel Park Neighborhood Association
Payne Park Auditorium, 2100 Laurel
Candidates Bilyeu, Clapp, Daniels, Kirshchner, Kowal, Servian
Wednesday, February 28 - 4:00 PM - Arts Council Forum
1226 North Trail (SCOPE Building - 1st Floor conference room)
All candidates
Candidates: District 1 - Fredd "Glossie" Atkins, April Sheffield
District 2 - Richard "Dick" Clapp, Andrea Daniels, Denise Kowal, Mary Anne Servian
District 3 - Danny Bilyeu, Kelly Kirschner
You may vote only in your own district race. You can find your district at http://sarasota.perfectvote.com/FindPollPub.asp Fill in your address and scroll down to "City Officials," where it will show your district number.
Voting information:
February 12 - Last day to register to vote
February 26 - Early voting begins
March 7 - Last day for absentee ballot requests
March 13 - Election Day for 3 district seats - 4-year terms
Absentee ballots. Contact Sarasota County Elections office with a:
Phone request: 861-8618;
Mail request: PO Box 4194, Sarasota, FL 34230-4194;
Fax request: 861-8609;
or E-mail request: absentee@srqelections.com.
Information required for each of the above methods is name, address, date of birth, address where absentee ballot should be mailed and signature if mailed or faxed. All requests must be received by the Sarasota County Elections Office no later than Wednesday, March 7th, for the March 13th City Election to allow enough time for mailing.
Janice Green, Chair
Save Our Sarasota Steering Committee
Saturday, February 10, 2007
North Lido - A Lasting Legacy
Laura Sperling has written another excellent column - this time about a really special place in Sarasota. She writes:I walked back to the shore, where stillness reigned and a local Audubon club observed the skittering sandpipers. It is this side of North Lido -- improbably remote despite its locale in the heart of condo country -- that made it such a family favorite. I can't objectively state that it's superior to South Lido Park, the environmentally vital acreage whose earlier public acquisition is a story for another day. But with South Lido's crowds and boats and barbecue grills and cars, it has a different character entirely.
To my untrained eyes, today's North Lido -- which like many beaches has seen controversial "renourishment" over the decades -- looks broader and healthier than in the past.
North Lido is a wonderful, natural beach. It gives me a vision of what Florida beaches used to be like.
Take a moment to read her column and learn a bit about how this great space came to be preserved for all of us.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
School Board Accepts National Trust's Offer for Independent Review
Today the Sarasota School Board voted 4-1 to accept the offer made by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to facilitate an independent review of the Rudolph buildings on the Riverview site.
The review will likely be a three-day workshop at no cost to the community or the Sarasota County School Board and will focus on the feasibility of rehabilitating the original Paul Rudolph courtyard buildings and incorporating them into the campus of the new 21st-century Riverview.
We are pleased that the School Board took this step.
The review will likely be a three-day workshop at no cost to the community or the Sarasota County School Board and will focus on the feasibility of rehabilitating the original Paul Rudolph courtyard buildings and incorporating them into the campus of the new 21st-century Riverview.
We are pleased that the School Board took this step.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Good News
Article published Feb 3, 2007
PODCAST: Riverview debate continues01/21/2007
Saving school may be studied
By LATISHA R. GRAY
SARASOTA COUNTY -- School Superintendent Gary Norris agreed Friday to recommend an independent study to see if some parts of Riverview High School can be spared the wrecking ball.Norris met with the Save Riverview Committee and said he would talk to School Board members about allowing the National Trust for Historic Preservation to study the viability of saving some of the original courtyard buildings, designed by architect Paul Rudolph.
School Board members voted in the fall to demolish the buildings and use the land for parking and a bus loop once the new school is built.Mold, drainage and other problems have plagued the school for years, and school officials have maintained it would cost too much to save them.
But architects and preservationists say the district didn't do enough to try to save the buildings designed by Rudolph, one of the founders of the Sarasota School of architecture.
They recently nominated the part of the Rudolph campus to be included on the list of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historical Sites."
"We're pleased that an organization of this stature will be looking into how the Rudolph courtyard buildings can really be used," said Mark Smith, a member of the Save Riverview Committee. "The National Trust will be picking up the costs, and we'll be working in close cooperation with the associate superintendent to make this happen.
"If the School Board agrees, the National Trust will bring in an architect to hold workshops and look at factors such as safety, costs and security.
The National Trust is a nonprofit preservation organization with about 250,000 members.The district hopes to have the new three-story campus building completed by August 2009.
PODCAST: Riverview debate continues01/21/2007
Saving school may be studied
By LATISHA R. GRAY
SARASOTA COUNTY -- School Superintendent Gary Norris agreed Friday to recommend an independent study to see if some parts of Riverview High School can be spared the wrecking ball.Norris met with the Save Riverview Committee and said he would talk to School Board members about allowing the National Trust for Historic Preservation to study the viability of saving some of the original courtyard buildings, designed by architect Paul Rudolph.
School Board members voted in the fall to demolish the buildings and use the land for parking and a bus loop once the new school is built.Mold, drainage and other problems have plagued the school for years, and school officials have maintained it would cost too much to save them.
But architects and preservationists say the district didn't do enough to try to save the buildings designed by Rudolph, one of the founders of the Sarasota School of architecture.
They recently nominated the part of the Rudolph campus to be included on the list of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historical Sites."
"We're pleased that an organization of this stature will be looking into how the Rudolph courtyard buildings can really be used," said Mark Smith, a member of the Save Riverview Committee. "The National Trust will be picking up the costs, and we'll be working in close cooperation with the associate superintendent to make this happen.
"If the School Board agrees, the National Trust will bring in an architect to hold workshops and look at factors such as safety, costs and security.
The National Trust is a nonprofit preservation organization with about 250,000 members.The district hopes to have the new three-story campus building completed by August 2009.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Five Points Park Workshop Scheduled
Next week, the City Commission will hold a workshop to discuss the direction for Five Points Park. The Workshop will be Monday, January 29, from 3 to 4:30 PM. The following Monday, Feb. 5, the Commissioners are expected to vote on staff's recommendation - that a RFP be issued to select a landscape designer for the project.
Save Our Sarasota sent the following letter to the commissioners:
Dear Commissioners,
Save Our Sarasota applauds you for your desire to proceed with the redesign of Five Points Park that was initiated last year. The Planning Department conducted a model public process of soliciting citizen input through two workshops and a detailed questionnaire which was widely distributed.
As you probably recall, this public process produced strong consensus that the park should be designed for primarily passive uses with occasional large public events and festivals such as presently occur, and that the green area should be expanded with additional grass and flowers.
We ask the Commission to use this consensus as a starting point and to continue to solicit a wide array of citizen input throughout the process of redesigning downtown Sarasota's premier green space. We continue to strongly believe that Five Points Park should be a lushly landscaped oasis in the midst of all the downtown hardscapes.
Thank you for your consideration.
Janice Green, Chair
SOS Steering Committee
Save Our Sarasota sent the following letter to the commissioners:
Dear Commissioners,
Save Our Sarasota applauds you for your desire to proceed with the redesign of Five Points Park that was initiated last year. The Planning Department conducted a model public process of soliciting citizen input through two workshops and a detailed questionnaire which was widely distributed.
As you probably recall, this public process produced strong consensus that the park should be designed for primarily passive uses with occasional large public events and festivals such as presently occur, and that the green area should be expanded with additional grass and flowers.
We ask the Commission to use this consensus as a starting point and to continue to solicit a wide array of citizen input throughout the process of redesigning downtown Sarasota's premier green space. We continue to strongly believe that Five Points Park should be a lushly landscaped oasis in the midst of all the downtown hardscapes.
Thank you for your consideration.
Janice Green, Chair
SOS Steering Committee
Sunday, January 21, 2007
What Should Government Do?
Laura Sperling wrote an excellent column in the SHT yesterday. If you haven't read it you should. She has a wonderful way of saying what many of us wonder about:
Conservatives and libertarians tend to think that government should provide for public safety and not much more. Govern least to govern best, etc.
I, on the other hand, believe government should work much harder than that. As long as recipients do the dishes, put a chicken in every pot.
Government should build infrastructure, save the environment, educate us, broaden opportunity, level the playing field, cure disease, end injustice, support the arts, forecast hurricanes precisely, and unlock the secrets of the universe.
For starters.
Demanding as I am, though, I do not expect government to provide me with a critical mass of high-quality retail.
I'm 99 percent sure the phrase is not in the Constitution, but the idea keeps popping up at Sarasota City Commission meetings. Municipal movers and shakers apparently believe that shopping is so central to our future that it warrants special nurturing by government.
Freedom to shop is grand. It contributes to the general economy. But as civic ideals go, a "critical mass of high-quality retail" falls way short of "justice for all."
Heck, it doesn't even measure up to "timely garbage collection."
Unlike, say, sewage treatment, retail is a competitive, for-profit enterprise. The private sector seems eminently qualified to sink or swim on its own.
Something to think about. Read the entire column.
Conservatives and libertarians tend to think that government should provide for public safety and not much more. Govern least to govern best, etc.
I, on the other hand, believe government should work much harder than that. As long as recipients do the dishes, put a chicken in every pot.
Government should build infrastructure, save the environment, educate us, broaden opportunity, level the playing field, cure disease, end injustice, support the arts, forecast hurricanes precisely, and unlock the secrets of the universe.
For starters.
Demanding as I am, though, I do not expect government to provide me with a critical mass of high-quality retail.
I'm 99 percent sure the phrase is not in the Constitution, but the idea keeps popping up at Sarasota City Commission meetings. Municipal movers and shakers apparently believe that shopping is so central to our future that it warrants special nurturing by government.
Freedom to shop is grand. It contributes to the general economy. But as civic ideals go, a "critical mass of high-quality retail" falls way short of "justice for all."
Heck, it doesn't even measure up to "timely garbage collection."
Unlike, say, sewage treatment, retail is a competitive, for-profit enterprise. The private sector seems eminently qualified to sink or swim on its own.
Something to think about. Read the entire column.
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