State St. Garage - Grand Opening Feb. 5    You're invited to attend the official grand opening for the State Street Garage next Friday, February 5 at 10 a.m. on the top floor.  The Garage, with just over 400 parking

The official grand opening for the State Street Garage is set for next Feb. 5.

spaces, has been open to the public since late summer and is getting a lot of use by the many visitors who frequent downtown.  Also, the first business in the retail space on the ground floor opened recently -- Dimmitt Automotive, a luxury car showroom.

The Garage is an impressive addition to the City's public parking inventory with striking architecture.  We look forward to celebrating this achievement with the community.  Light refreshments will be served during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

FDOT - Bee Ridge/Osprey Ave. Improvements    Heads up!  The Florida Department of Transportation started a significant roadway improvement project this week which will impact traffic patterns on the edge of the Sarasota city limits along U.S. 41 & Bee Ridge Rd. and also in the Osprey Ave./Siesta Dr. area.

A major component of the project will be the replacement of large stormwater pipes located under Bee Ridge Rd. stretching two miles to the east -- from U.S. 41 to Sawyer Rd.  Seven lanes of traffic on Bee Ridge have been reduced to five to accommodate the construction work. 

The scope of the project includes FDOT digging under U.S. 41 to replace a water main for the City of Sarasota near Bay Rd. and Brown Ave.  That work will require lane closures along U.S. 41, but FDOT tells us that portion of the project is at least 6-7 months away.  Once the construction is completed, the roadways will be resurfaced. 

The project is expected to be completed in Summer 2017.  So, be prepared for delays when you're in that area.

Finance Dept. Awards - GFOA 'Trifecta'   Congratulations to the Finance Department for being honored recently with not one, not two, but three prestigious professional awards from the Government Finance Officers Association.  In the government finance realm,  receiving these three awards is referred to as 'The Triple Crown Trifecta'.

The awards are:

1.  Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
2.  Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
3.  Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting

Of the 400+ governmental bodies in the State of Florida, Sarasota is one of just 21 agencies to receive all three awards -- The Trifecta.  Well done!

Just as impressive is the longevity and consistency of exceptional professionalism within the Finance Department.  This is the 34th consecutive year the team has earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, and the 25th straight year for the Excellence in Financial Reporting Award.  Some of our team members have worked diligently on nearly all of these budgets.  Their institutional knowledge and expertise are tremendous assets and we value and appreciate them  -- especially as they gear up for the City's next fiscal year budget cycle.

Congratulations to Finance Director John Lege and the entire Finance team!

Teens for Jeans    The Sarasota Police Department just wrapped up a successful campaign to provide blue jeans for homeless teenagers.  Approximately 500 pairs of new and gently used jeans were donated to the 'Teens for Jeans' campaign, including a significant gift from City Commission administrative assistant Diane

Denim jeans donated at SPD Headquarters for 'Teens for Jeans'.

Taylor who donated about 50 pairs.  (She tells us she has a couple of clothes horses in the family who favor jeans.)

All the jeans will be taken to the youth shelter at the YMCA where they will be distributed to homeless teens and children in need.
Many times, teens end up at the shelter with just the clothes they're wearing, and  a pair of blue jeans to wear to school can help them feel comfortable and fit it with their peers.

This is the third year SPD participated in the program with Capt. Corrine Stannish spearheading the effort. 

'Teens for Jeans' is a national program launched by Aeropostale in conjunction with DoSomething.org. Thanks to everyone for their generosity and to Capt. Stannish for seeing the need in Sarasota and coordinating our local campaign.
               

Bobby Jones Open - Feb.  13 &14   The 3rd annual Bobby Jones Open will be held the weekend of Feb. 13 & 14.  96 professional golfers are expected to play in this competitive tournament which is a featured event on the West Florida Golf Tour. The event will be played on the British Course, featuring the new greens.

With a guaranteed $4,000 purse for the first place winner, the event attracts talented professionals.  The British Course can be challenging, so this should be an exciting tournament to watch.  The public is invited to be part of the spectators' gallery with a $10 admission fee per person.