UDS & USF Students   As part of an Advanced Design class, 13 USF architecture students made a field trip recently to the Urban Design Studio with their Associate Professor Michael Halflants to learn about our Form Based Code initiative, density, and both existing and potential code requirements.  The students were then given an assignment to create a mixed-use housing development with increased residential density on City-owned property adjacent to Payne Park.  It was a daunting task in the time allotted, and included creating floor plans and two different scale models, but the students were up to the challenge.  Formal presentations were given last week at City Hall to a jury which included UDS Director Karin Murphy, Principal Urban Designer Andrew Georgiadis and Planners Courtney Mendez and Ryan Chapdelain.  As part of the assignment, the students discussed how they achieved their density and overall design.  This was a complex exercise with the students receiving valuable, thoughtful feedback from our staff, and the students providing staff with reasoned explanations of the challenges faced by restrictions in the City's current zoning code.  Thank you to our staff for taking the time to interact with these students who are the future of the architectural and planning communities.

UDS Director Karin Murphy provides feedback to USF student Christine Schorr while UDS staff member Andrew Georgiadis examines one of Schorr's scale models.

    

 

Gillespie Park Improvements   It's out with the old and in with the new at Gillespie Park!  Crews dismantled the playground equipment this week to make room for new equipment.  At 20 years old, the current playground is due for replacement.  Within the next 2-3

A contractor dismantles the Gillespie Park playground.

weeks, new play areas will be installed for ages 2-5 as well as 5-12.  The old rubberized play surface will be replaced with a fiber mulch material which will blend in with the natural setting of the park.  These are the kind of improvements which directly impact the quality of life for residents who visit this neighborhood park.  That's why every year capital improvement projects at our parks and recreation facilities are included in the City's budget.  These improvements are budgeted for $90,000.  We'll look forward to seeing some excited little faces when the new playground is unveiled soon.    

 

United Way Contributions   The generosity of our employees continues to impress.  Our annual United Way campaign raised just over $20,000 for the United Way Suncoast, which provides financial assistance to more than a dozen organizations in Sarasota County and DeSoto County.  (By way of comparison, and to add a bit of friendly competition, our colleagues at Sarasota County collected $21,000.)  To raise the funds, many of our employees opted to have donations deducted from their paychecks.  We also hosted a popular employee pancake breakfast and a dunk tank where several members of our senior staff braved the chilly water to be dunked for this good cause.  We appreciate everyone's contributions.  Thanks to our 12 member campaign committee for another successful campaign, led by Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown who also serves on the region's United Way Board of Directors.       

National Employee Appreciation Day   Today (March 7) is National Employee Appreciation Day and members of our newly

Expressing our appreciation to P.J. Hahn in the Human Resources Department.

established Employee Appreciation Committee personally delivered balloons and baskets of goodies to each of our departments.  Gestures like this can go a long way to boost morale, and we want our 700 full time and part-time employees to know their hard work and dedication is appreciated.  Thank you for your service and let's keep up the good work!