Annual Street Resurfacing      The City's annual street resurfacing project, this year budgeted at $1.9 million, is now underway with crews milling and paving pre-determined streets citywide.  Approximately nine miles of streets throughout the city limits will be milled and paved, including residential and primary roads.  This week, crews with the City's contractor, Superior Asphalt, were slated to pave Hillview Street, Hashay Drive, Illehaw Drive, Sioux Drive and Hawthorne Street. 

To see a map with a tentative list of streets scheduled for resurfacing click here.

Crews repaving Hillview St. west of Osprey Ave. earlier this week.

The  repaving schedule is coordinated with other Public Works and Utilities projects occurring in the City, so the timetable can be fluid.  Once milling and paving dates are confirmed, crews post signage in the area to alert motorists and residents prior to the work starting.  We don't anticipate closing any roads, but there will be temporary

YouTube Video: Street Resurfacing

lane closures. 

This is the kind of infrastructure investment which is very noticeable, helps maintain property values and also speaks to the quality of life in a community.  Thanks to Capital Improvement Projects Manager Mike DelRossi for juggling the schedules and ensuring our streets are in good condition via this annual resurfacing project.  

Avondale Sewer Project - Finished     The Avondale utility line improvement project was completed last week and the large bypass pipe that was bisecting Alta Vista Street has been removed.  During the two week project, crews inspected and lined .28 miles of underground sanitary sewage pipe.  The lining is essentially a new pipe within the pipe, which prevents groundwater infiltration and the deterioration of the interior of the pipe.  The before and after photos really highlight why this 52-year-old pipe needed to be lined.  Before, the interior of the pipe was corroded and peeling apart, impeding the sewage flow, making the sanitary sewer system less efficient.  After the project, as you can see below, the same portion of pipe looks brand new.

The City has over 200 miles of sanitary sewer lines to maintain.  Industry practices indicate that using cured in place pipe, as utilized on this project in the Avondale neighborhood, is the best and most cost effective way to maintain an aging utility system.

Photos showing before and after the pipe was lined.

New Water Tank - Update    Construction of the new $1.6 million water storage tank near 12th St. and Orange Ave. is nearing completion.  The tank is built and the exterior will be painted very soon.  Two million gallons of raw water from the Verna well field will be held in the tank before it is treated and placed into the City's water

Project manager Verne Hall standing inside the tank inspecting the float which will measure the amount of water in the tank.

distribution system.  (Two million gallons is roughly 25 percent of one day's water needs throughout the city.)  New pumps, which will transport water from the tank to the City's reverse osmosis water treatment facility, have been installed outside the dome.

The inside of the tank is minimalistic with just an access ladder, overflow pipe and a float which will measure the amount of water in the tank.  Once the tank is filled with water, then chlorinated, and sampled by the Health Department, there will be a coordinated effort to bring the new tank on line while taking the old tank out of service.  That's expected to occur in early September.  Thanks to the Utilities Department and project manager Verne Hall for keeping this project on schedule and ensuring the City's daily water storage needs are met.

Sarasota Bay Observation Decks    The old wood platforms which formed the observation decks on Sarasota Bay adjacent to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall have been removed and are being replaced with concrete beams.  All four observation decks were over

Crews moving a concrete beam into position.

20 years old and deteriorating from their continuous exposure to the salty side of Mother Nature.  With the new decks being constructed with concrete, they're expected to endure the elements even better and have a longer life span.  The project is expected to wrap up soon with the new decks open to the public in early to mid-September.  These are wonderful locations to enjoy a scenic view of Sarasota Bay, and we appreciate everyone's patience during the renovation process.

FL Surveying and Mapping Society -    Congratulations to Bob Heggan in the Public Works Department who recently was elected president of a local chapter of the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society.  Bob is a third generation surveyor and has over 30 years of

Bob Heggan is an engineering technician in the Public Works Department.

professional experience in the private and public sectors.  Currently, he is an engineering technician who supervises small capital improvement projects, primarily dealing with drainage, including the improvements underway at 12th St. and Lockwood Ridge.  The FSMS is a professional organization geared toward providing support and continuing education opportunities for its members.  Surveying and mapping is an ever changing field with technology nowadays and Bob's dedication with this organization is a win-win for the City and his peers.   

National Night Out - Gillespie Park      The Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association's National Night Out event, in conjunction with the Sarasota Police Department, enjoyed a nice turnout earlier this week.  The police substation at Gillespie Park was open and

A chocolate and yellow cake with a public safety theme was served.

Chief DiPino and Mayor Shaw were on hand to greet residents and talk about neighborhood issues over light snacks and even a slice of cake.  McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog and Andro, SPD's newest K-9, made appearances and, as you can imagine, both were a hit with the kids.  Informal neighborhood gatherings like this highlight the SPD's partnership policing philosophy, encouraging residents and officers to get to know each other.

A special thanks goes to Officer Cherie McKeon and Gillespie Park Neighborhood President Linda Holland for coordinating the event.  Also, thanks to Park East President Joseph Bessard II for taking time to show his community support.  If you missed this event, consider attending our big citywide National Night Out block party, which is tentatively scheduled for October 7th at Payne Park.  In the meantime...be safe!

Those who attended the Gillespie Park National Night Out event were all smiles.