Construction Update - Old Bradenton Road   A significant milestone with the Old Bradenton Road improvement project was reached late last week when the new 12-inch water line, which extends

The new water line passed a two hour pressure test.

1.5 miles from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way to University Pkwy, successfully completed a two hour pressure test.  This is an important step toward placing the water line into service.  Next, the line will be sanitized, then in the next few weeks, it will undergo comprehensive bacterial testing over a two day period by the Department of Health.  Once certified, the line will be divided into eleven segments, and homes and businesses in the vicinity will be placed under a short term boil water notice.  Our impacted water customers will be given timely notice before this occurs.  Unfortunately, this process is necessary as we transfer customers to this new water distribution line.

In the meantime, work continues along the Old Bradenton Road corridor.   This improvement project has taken longer than we expected, primarily due to the complex reality of coordinating the relocation of an extensive number of utilities including cable, telephone, gas and water lines.  We truly appreciate everyone's patience with this project, especially those who live in the Bayou Oaks neighborhood.  

Construction Update - Water Storage Tank    If you were in the vicinity of Orange Ave. and 12th St. on Wednesday, you may have noticed quite a bit of activity near our water treatment plant where we're constructing a new two million gallon water storage tank.  Crews poured the large concrete dome to cover the tank.  The roof is so sizable, 144 truckloads of concrete were needed, translating into a total pour of 1,300 yards.  That's a substantial pour!  The project is on schedule and is expected to be finished in August.  Then, the tank will hold approximately 25 percent of one day's drinking water needs for the city. 

Pouring the concrete dome on the new water storage tank.

Synthetic Designer Drug Ordinance - Enforcement Begins
Commonly referred to as spice or K-2, one particularly insidious aspect of these drugs is that false ingredients -- or incomplete ingredients -- are listed on the package.  While some of the ingredients may sound harmless, designer drugs imported from around the world have been known to be treated with chemical compounds similar to those used to make PCP and meth.

It is unpredictable how a person will behave after ingesting or smoking one of these chemical compounds.  According to a Time Magazine article (April 21, 2014), emergency rooms and poison control centers have reported synthetic drug related kidney failure, seizures, and psychosis.  Locally, we've seen synthetics create breathing problems.

The new designer drug ordinance is a significant step in maintaining a safe and healthy community, where residents and visitors can enjoy a safe, pleasant working, shopping and dining experience.

Thank you to the City Commission for addressing this pressing issue and to SPD for beginning to take action. 

State St. Parking Lot Closes Monday   Reminder: The State Street Lot will be closed starting this Monday (May 19) as we begin construction staging for a new 395 space public parking garage.  Continuing our proactive approach, staff held a community meeting earlier this week to remind business owners, employees and residents about the lot closure and to offer parking alternatives within a healthy, five minute walk to the State Street area.

Alternative parking areas include:  the Burns Square Lot, 1st Street Lot, Orange Street Lot, and the Whole Foods Garage on 2nd Street.  We're also working on adding 35 on-street parking spaces in the vicinity by re-striping the road.

Staff is developing a user friendly map detailing parking options.  As soon as it is available, we will share it.

For those who use the State Street Lot on Saturday morning during the Farmers Market, please plan to make alternative parking arrangements.  For those who can walk the three blocks, the Palm Ave. Garage east of Cocoanut Ave. should have plenty of space.  We've been in close communication with the Market's Executive Director, Phil Pagano, to help spread the word about the lot closure and nearby parking alternatives.  We encourage anyone with parking questions to contact the Parking Operations Division:  941-954-7057.

An artist rendering depicting the State Street Garage looking west on State St.

   

Bobby Jones Golf Club - Youth Boot Camp   We're excited to announce we're offering a new free youth program at Bobby Jones Golf Club:  Drive, Chip & Putt Boot Camp.  It's geared specifically for young golfers (ages 7-15) who plan to compete next month in the local qualifier for the PGA Drive, Putt & Chip Championship.  Three skill stations will be set up for the young golfers to work on their driving, putting and chipping skills with expert guidance from PGA professionals.

The camp will be held at Bobby Jones Golf Club on Sat., May 24 and May 31 at 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.  (If needed, a second session may be added at 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. each day.)  The camp is limited to children ages 7-15 with a maximum number of 45 participants.

You can register your young golfer for the boot camp via email at BJGC@SarasotaGov.com or call the golf shop:  941-954-4163.  To see an event flyer click here.

One of the Drive, Chip and Putt reigning national champions, Bryson

Bryson Bianco is a reigning national champ after qualifying at Bobby Jones.

Bianco from Tallahassee, started his road to the national championship in Augusta last year by winning the local qualifying competition at Bobby Jones Golf Club.  He won the boys category ages 12-13.

The boot camp is being offered at no charge thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Bobby Jones Golf Club, a nonprofit organization, which is underwriting the costs of range balls, refreshments, and staff time.  We appreciate their support and look forward to more collaborative efforts.  Many thanks to Sue Martin and her staff at the golf course for coming up with this unique boot camp concept!