Happy New Year - 2006 Should be an Exciting Year! I don't think that there's any question 2006 is going to be a most interesting year. Among the issues to be resolved are Wal-Mart, Pineapple Square, the expansion of the Community Redevelopment Area, the nature of our density-bonus program for affordable housing development, and many others - and for the most part that's all just in the first quarter! Throw in the Quay, U.S. 41 roundabouts, Palm Avenue Parking, Housing Authority redevelopment planning, Ed Smith Stadium's possible renovation, putting the Downtown Master Plan 2020 codes into use, and a few dozen other issues there will be plenty to keep us busy.
Downtown, it will be exciting to watch the changes as many locations are transformed from construction sites to homes. That will certainly be change for the better. In North Sarasota, F.G. Atkins Park will be completed in a few short months, which will provide a symbolic gateway marking renewed commitment to economic redevelopment. The transportation planning that is required for that to be successful will also be completed, moving us one step closer to nuts and bolts economic redevelopment.
I hope everyone had the opportunity to slow down a bit sometime over the holidays and enjoy family and friends. Now that '06 is here, it looks like we'd better put on our seatbelts. But looking beyond the obvious, here's my question to test our collective foresight: What do you think are the issues we'll be talking about as we move to 2007, but which are not yet high on our radar screens?
Downtown, it will be exciting to watch the changes as many locations are transformed from construction sites to homes. That will certainly be change for the better. In North Sarasota, F.G. Atkins Park will be completed in a few short months, which will provide a symbolic gateway marking renewed commitment to economic redevelopment. The transportation planning that is required for that to be successful will also be completed, moving us one step closer to nuts and bolts economic redevelopment.
I hope everyone had the opportunity to slow down a bit sometime over the holidays and enjoy family and friends. Now that '06 is here, it looks like we'd better put on our seatbelts. But looking beyond the obvious, here's my question to test our collective foresight: What do you think are the issues we'll be talking about as we move to 2007, but which are not yet high on our radar screens?
posted by Michael McNees at 10:21 AM
18 Comments:
Please add to your list of important issues to be resolved: arcades, as defined in the new city code,that are on the commission agenda for consideration January 23rd.
They are not a question of being for or against the changes in downtown, of being for or against development, or whether you like the new Sarasota or are nostalgic for the old.
Pure and simple, they are a property rights/stakeholder issue with, this time, the issue being public property rights and the citizens being the stakeholders.
The decision that is made on arcades will forever affect the look of downtown, even more than the tall buildings. I hope the commissioners, and you in your leadership role as city manager, will decide to remove from the code the current provision for arcades over public sidewalks with three stories of habitable space in the public air space above.
Hi Mike,
My hand slipped before I had completed adding my name to the previous comment. It is Gretchen Serrie.
Which brings up an interesting topic...anonymous posts.
Although sometimes, when a city employee, or someone employed by the city on a contract basis, wishes to raise a controversial issue, I can understand the wish for anonymity.
But, in general, I would hope that people might start signing their names to posts. I hear speculation that all the expressions of support are generated by the chamber or the city, that three positive comments in a row within a couple of minutes of each other come from the same person, and that negative comments are all coming from a few people involved with Save Our Sarasota.
Signing our names, when possible, makes it possible to evaluate the strength of support or interest in issues and also always makes for more civilized debate. Just my thoughts.
I am so excited about downtown Sarasota that I get anxious waiting. I wish all the condos would be open with people flowing out onto the streets creating more traffic that will encourage more activity. I really see the beginning of a true walkable city. This city is a gold mine that is still full of promises, deals and dreams. I wish I could invest and be involved in this area more but I am happy with the little I have. I just wish it all would happen faster but I happy it is finally happening.
Gretchen - Thanks for your comments, I suspected you were author of the first. I agree with you the arcade decision is an important one, but may disagree as to whether they should be banned entirely. I do agree that the value of the public space should be accounted for in some way, even if that means only as some sort of incentive. For some time I've supported these things as encroachment agreements rather than vacations, as the building has a finite life and the city is (theoreticaly at least!) perpetual.
On anonymity, I agree with you 100%, and have written that here before. At the very least I'd like to know when one person is making multiple comments so I can follow the thread of their thinking - that way we're people talking to each other, even if the poster is anonymous. For now I choose to let the poster decide, because I'd rather get as much comment as possible even if it is anonymous.
I think the Bayfront including the proposed Cultural district should become a high priority. Traffic flow and control will remain a high priority. Economic Development in general and its administration need attention so that statistics as to what is coming and/or going can be more easily assessed. In a previous post I had asked if you had any information as to what has come or gone in the way of retail, commerical, entertainment, etc. since 2000. I had also suggested a review of your organization. I was happy to see that you had begun to ask your Department Directors for their input. Although I think this is a good start perhaps a third party review would be more helpful. It may be able to shed more light as to how your organizational needs are being met but also could provide insight as to how they could be met in a more streamlined fashion and could also compare what programs are offered in other communities based on their departmental structures.
The Gulf and its problems could be an issue affecting the business and tourism for the region.
It may also be a good time to explore consolidating certain administrative functions with the County. The City's identity is important but a sharing of labor resources in similar areas could benefit all. Examples may include, Environmental issues and utilizing their "sustainable" efforts,Purchasing and Property Management, Police Protection and even Recreational administration.Perhaps some functions could be performed by the County with a payment from the City which would eliminate the need for the City to expand its staff. These are the types of things that perhaps a third party review might determine may be feasible.
Thank you for your reply to my post on arcades. I'm don't quite understand the "incentive" issue, which I do hear referred to frequently, and to which you referred in your remark "the value of the public space should be accounted for in some way, even if that means only as some sort of incentive." Could you explain that further?
Again, thanks for the opportunity for this kind of communication. It is greatly appreciated.
I am so pleased all the work that Michael Raposa, Director of the Neighborhood's department does to create healthy communities. His initiative to bring Mr. McKnight to speak at the symposium was a large step and his continued support of his teaching is invaluable. He is working on those principles and hopefully we as a community will learn from him. We can only hope the elected officials with the city and the county learn this knowledgeable way of communicating. The County, City and other organizations work wonderfully together on many issues and happy to report this is one of them. SCOPP has started to play a large roll in the McKnight project as well with the City and County. More should be encouraged to participate by contacting your neighborhood department either with the city (Sarasota, Venice, Longboat, etc) or the county neighborhood department.
I am so glad that your job is safe once again! I am also glad to see we have a Mayor that recognizes your accomplishments and stand by you. Commissioner Bilyeu needs to grow up and concentrate on learning to be a Commissioner and not a City Manager!
I am writing in support of your outstanding accomplishments with this city which needed a forward thinker that has been able to kept course with the goals set by the commission. It is refreshing to see some of the commissioners realizing your position as a very capable manager that has obviously been able to build a fine committed team within the organization as reflected by the support you received from then during your evaluation. You are a true team builder and as anyone who has over 800 employees, 5 bosses and thousands of citizens watching everything you do realizes life is not easy in your seat. I have attended the DTP meetings that were done with the help of the city and can say that they would not have been nearly as informative without city staff under the management of you. I see you and while you are tall, you are always willing to answer my questions, no matter how trivial they may be. I know many that support Commissioner Palmer will not be doing so again and while I know you will be professional, it is a shame you have to put up with the criticism from her. She is the one that needs to move on with her life and give her seat to a young professional that has a vision for a better future for the city. Some of our problem is the fact that some of the commissioners cannot stay course and vote with conviction. Let's how we all continue to grow in a positive way. Happy to live in Sarasota and happy with the improvements.
Our City is experiencing such growth and complicated deals that it is a pleasure having a manager that is and has been very capable, above expectations as far as the citizens are concerned.
I hope the commission does not reject the arcades within the city limits. I know this issue is coming up and it is a shame that a group could create uproar about something without having a full understanding of how wonderful these things can be under the new code. It also may be a shame that the first building to do an arcade over the sidewalk was the one on lower Main. Everyone seems to think all arcades will be just like that one and it is just unrealistic to see it that way. I hope this issue does not get dropped from our architectural options.
The issue that is not on the commission agenda but very well should be is the reconnection of the bayfront to downtown and do away with the emphasis on cars. It is in our Master Plan and should be brought back into discussion.
Thanks for your opinions about issues for 2006, I'll post something this weekend in follow up to them.
I also appreciate the positive comments following the commission's evaluation process, and the support of where we're trying to go. I also have to say that the commissioners who were most critical of me have legitimate opinions that need to be addressed as well. We try to keep it respectful here and away from personal attacks, and I don't think anyone necessarily went over that line with their comment but I can definitely see the line from here.
That said, I'm going home! I think I'm going to be very glad this weekend that there is a fireplace in my home.
I would like to see more major improvements like the Lemon Avenue project. Our city is so small and so much has already been done to improve the areas around Main Street and 1st Street but some of the side streets off of of those are still in need of improvements. The city could have good identification when entering our downtown business area from the residential areas.
Main Street looks great with all the new lights, parking, sidewalks and trees. What a difference from the past.
To 1/4 5:53: Are you kidding? Simplifying things by combining City and County resources and saving the taxpayers money? City and County working together to that end will never happen. Why? Because it takes away power. Just think how easy it would have been over the years to consolidate Police and Sheriff efforts, but it's never happened. I think it would be great if you could just pay traffic fines and parking tickets in one convenient spot!
I read the editorial this morning by who knows who. Even the paper is working with the anonymous folks who dare not put their name to things. I found the whole article amusing and had to ask, "what is the big deal?" I am thrilled with our downtown and the direction we are going. I will be able to move into my home, in downtown, in two months and cannot wait. I cannot get caught up in the pettiness of "did the city manager smile or not?" I hope the public learns that it is not the best use of their tax dollars to make sure you baby sit our city officials and the publics "emotional" needs but to stay focused on the job. How are you suppose to do your real work when you have to constantly hold hands with everyone and walk on eggshells? I like your "style" as Commissioner Atkins stated and you have been the man for the job, that is obvious.
I have wrote in support of the growth downtown and the direction the city is going. I am pleased that we have someone managing the ins and outs of the city government based on the policies that are put into place. I must agree with the last post and ask the public and city commission to put aside small emotional needs for the better of the city. The manager is not suppose to "baby sit" emotional needs but manage the direction that has been put in place over the past several years with adopted policies and master plans. The commission should move on and learn and think of new and exciting ways to get there and stop harassing the staff by micro managing and giving the press or anyone else minute micro managing focus. How are we going to move into the 21st century with the old mind set? I am proud to be a part of this community and wish staff all the success of seeing us into the future.
Looking forward to 2007 it seems there is a struggle for some people to see change and accept that our downtown is a popular city that many want to enjoy. I know many folks moving from the barrier islands to our downtown because they like what is happening and the great amenities that will be in walking distance. I think, based on the view the paper keeps harping on, is getting away from the view of a few that cannot accept change and embrace our growth and stop blaming or trying to find someone to take our all your grips on.
We all work to make our city the best it can be. It is not civilized for anyone to want to harm the city.
I hope you continue to do the fine job you have done and continue to give us, the public, news worthy information on your blog. This has certainly is a good way to communicate with the average joe.
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