First Street Improvements - Work Starts Aug. 24   Another major downtown improvement project will start next Monday, August 24 -- and this one will be along the First Street corridor.  Stretching from U.S. 41 to Pineapple Avenue, First Street will be redesigned to make it more appealing to pedestrians.  The sidewalks will be widened and the street itself will be narrowed, encouraging more foot traffic and slower vehicle traffic.  Trees and landscaping will be added as well as brick pavers.  A significant aspect of the project will be the undergrounding of utilities, which will create an aesthetically pleasing environment, plus one that is less dangerous during and after severe weather events. 

Top: First Street now.  Bottom:  An artist's rendering depicting   First Street as a narrower road with wider sidewalks.

The construction work will be done in phases by Jon F. Swift Construction starting at U.S. 41 and heading east.  It's important to note that while First Street will be open to traffic, it will be in one direction.  At the start of the project, westbound only traffic will be allowed.  Then, as the work proceeds, the traffic pattern will switch to eastbound vehicles only.

These improvements are part of the Downtown Master Plan 2020 and will help make it more inviting for people to stroll through downtown.  We encourage everyone to be patient as we work to make our special community even more attractive for residents and visitors. 

The construction is scheduled to continue through January 2016.  For regular updates and to review the plans, visit www.SarasotaGov.com and click on the construction hard hat icon on the homepage.

New Observation Deck     A new observation deck is now available for public use at Centennial Park adjacent to the 10th Street boat ramp.  Like the wooden pedestrian bridges that were just

The observation deck at Centennial Park was replaced.

replaced on Lido Key, the wood deck had become deteriorated after being exposed to the elements on Sarasota Bay for decades. Now, a new deck with manufactured material is in place and ready for use. 

Last year, you may recall, the Public Works Department replaced the four observation decks near the Van Wezel.  This was the last observation deck which needed to be replaced. So, should you find yourself in the area, look for it and enjoy a pleasant respite on the bay.

SRQ Daily - Regular Guest Column   I'm pleased to report I've accepted an invitation from SRQ Daily to write a monthly guest column about my thoughts on the City.  These musings

My first guest column will appear  in SRQ Daily tomorrow (Aug. 22).

will appear in the SRQ Daily: Saturday Perspectives Edition on the fourth Saturday of each month.  My inaugural column is scheduled to appear in tomorrow's edition and I'll discuss our evolving city. 

SRQ Daily is an e-newspaper associated with SRQ Magazine, a respected media outlet in Sarasota and read by many.  I look forward to providing my City perspective in Saturday Perspectives.

A subscription to SRQ Daily is free or you can find the content posted on the SRQ Magazine website.

School Starts - Aug.  24   We're encouraging drivers to plan ahead for the first day of school next Monday, August 24.  Our Sarasota Police Department will have a visible presence at and near school zones, to help remind drivers to slow down and watch out for children.  The speed limit in school zones is 15 miles per hour unless otherwise posted.  And, remember:  when the red lights on a school bus are flashing you must stop.  The only time you do not have to stop is when you're traveling in the opposite direction of the school bus on a divided highway with a median. 

Parents, school crossing guards and bus drivers encourage everyone to be prepared for the start of school.  SPD Partnership Policing Communications Coordinator Genevieve Judge produced a video about back to school safety which you can watch below.

YouTube:  SPD Back to School Safety

                 

Blue + You = Back to School Shopping   About two dozen children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota are more prepared for the start of the school year after going on a shopping spree with several of our SPD officers.  Each received a $100 Target gift card from a philanthropist (who wishes to remain anonymous), then the kids were paired with a police officer to pick out items for school, including clothes, backpacks, and all kinds of fun writing and drawing supplies.

Thank you to the generous anonymous donor -- and to our police officers who had a good time helping these youngsters.  We wish the children the best of luck this school year!

Top (left): Amber McDonough and Eli Hauagabook with Officer Dominic Harris; Jamarion Summers and Jarvis Hodo with Chief Bernadette DiPino  Bottom (left):  Gianna Hall and Adrielle Langston with Officer Sheldon Cantrell;  Mykeia Johnson and Areana Ramos with Lt. Lori Jaress.