North Tamiami Trail Redevelopment - One of the items generating a lot of discussion related to the ongoing effort to plan for the redevelopment of the North Tamiami Trail has been what the project should be called. (For those that are unaware, this work has been a joint effort of the four colleges/universities, both counties, and the city, with great interest and close observation by the neighborhoods.) Recently the group recommended that the whole area be referred to as the “The Renaissance Trail,” with five subdivisions---The Whitfield Mile, The University Mile, The Ringling Mile, The Whitaker-Pioneer Mile, and the Cultural Center Mile identified from north to south. The way I understand it is that each subdivision would be "themed" in a slightly different way in terms of civic infrastructure (signage, perhaps lighting). As usual here, I'm looking for reactions to the whole idea. Any thoughts?
posted by Michael McNees at 11:41 AM
9 Comments:
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I like the idea.
I guess I would describe the response of many I’ve spoken with in the N Trail neighborhoods as underwhelmed by the name Renaissance Trail and the Miles concept. One comment was that the Renaissance Trail is anchored on the north by a Museum known for its Baroque collection and on the south by the Renaissance condos, arguably the most controversial development project in city history. It’s also been pointed out that, while the famous Miles in other places are actually miles, these are not. Who knows if that matters. Two of the major developers with N Trail interests as well as citizens from abutting neighborhoods expressed concern that naming so many different segments of the Trail would be confusing.
That being said…it probably was an impossible task to come up with a name that worked. The project, because of the desire to include all of the educational institutions, covered a corridor that was an artificial creation rather than a natural corridor. Bowlees Creek in Manatee County to the Bayfront Cultural Complex covers three government jurisdictions---Manatee and Sarasota Counties and the city of Sarasota---plus a fourth, if you count the Airport Authority. It’s also complicated by being a national highway that has Scenic Highway Designation. It’s laudable to have lots of organizations work together, but perhaps that’s why suggested names seem designed by committee and a bit contrived.
Since the majority of the Trail is in the city, I guess it will/should come down to what the city wants to do with the name. I, of course, had my favorite, but realize that it couldn’t make the cut because it didn’t include the educational component. Thinking in the largest possible context, what distinguishes Sarasota from other beachfront communities and the first impression I would wish people to have when they enter Sarasota from University Parkway is “City of the Arts.” I would call the Trail “The Boulevard of the Arts”…oops…that is taken. Or the Avenue or Promenade of the Arts and extend that name all the way to the soon-to-be contemporary art museum in Sarasota High School. It would not only brand Sarasota as the City of the Arts, (and do so cheaply…only signage), but would connect and celebrate a now fragmented group of incredible arts institutions. You would start with the crown jewel…The Ringling Museum with the Asolo Theater and Sarasota Ballet, going down past McCurdy’s Comedy Club, then the Ringling School of Art and Design, followed by the Sarasota County Arts Council, then on the right, the bayfront complex with the Van Wezel, Symphony and Players, and on the left, the downtown theater district, past the Season of Sculpture on the bay front, to the new contemporary art museum at Sarasota High School. Universities could be recognized by lots of signage at University Parkway and 41, plus all the hoped for new retail/entertainment/housing by New College/USF could be University Town, or University Village, and that by Ringling School could be Ringling Village.
Anyhow, that idea didn’t make the cut. I think the neighborhood consensus would be that, no really exciting name having evolved out of all the meetings, the corridor should continue to be called N Tamiami Trail. There’s history there, and hopefully the crime will diminish as the Trail is refurbished. And we do believe that is about to happen.
It's an interesting idea. Exactly how stark the contrast will be with adjacent architectural, signage and lighting designs is something that needs to be looked at. Maybe not insisting on an exact mile for each area, but look at what would be a good dividing point, be it an intersection or an existing shopping center as the "border" between two of the "miles". It's a lot better idea than the boring "Italian renaissance" style Venice forces down everybody's throat.
Is it really that long of a road to have to have a different name every Mile? Too confusing and overkill. What has happened to our heritage and the name Tamiami Trail? That is a great name with history. Do we really think people who live in Sarasota are so stupid they cannot handle all of the trail staying one name. And who cares if we in Sarasota call it the North Tamiami Trail? It is not an insult to Bradenton, it is the north part of the trail in Sarasota and that is what we are working on. Give up the names, we have good identifiers that give location, such as the Museum, Ringling School, Van Wezel....leave it along and give your time and brain to more important issues.
I appreciate your willingness to receive comments on this issue. Some questions/thoughts...
(1) I understand there was a fair bit of work in coming up with this name, but what about the fact that "The Renaissance" development/condo is smack in the middle of the cultural district?
(2) Is it important to pay tribute to the history of Tamiami Trail and is it appropriate to rename Sarasota's section of it? Many cities acheieve the important goal of defining and setting in motion a master plan without renaming streets...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamiami
Is it important to levrage the history of Sarasota's section of the Trail to this end? Should changing this be weighed with preserving and springboarding off it's national recognition?
(3) Will we then rename the other side of 6th street to Boulevard of the Arts or vice versa? Has navigation and orientation been considered? How about economic impacts...are those affected aware of this change...are they prepared (and willing) to change business letterhead, signage, brochures, promotional materials, etc?
4) Is this name inclusive to current residents, not just the surrounding cultural and educational institutions?
-doug perry
Having attended nearly all the meetings involved with the Renovation41 project and hearing the the naming summary twice, I must say that I too was very underwhelmed with "Renaissance" and the "Miles" concept.
"Tamiami Trail" has great historical significance and is highly recognizable. Why brush this aside?
Indicating that "North Trail" has unwanted baggage associated with it is a poor reason to disregard history.
A concerted effort to continue the process of compatable redevelopment along the Trail and a "wayfinding system" will go a long way toward making this a significant gateway into Sarasota.
Names such as "College District", "Museum and Theater District", Ringling School of Art District", "Whittaker Historical District", and "Cultural District", are names that are known. Using the term "District" gives a sense of place upon which to build.
This stretch of Sarasota needs to be integrated into the city, not set apart.
To clarify one thing, I don't think there's any intention to formally change the name of the street, just to name the redevelopment project, somewhat analogous to the Downtown Master Plan 2020.
I tend to agree with the folks who like the historic "Tamiami Trail" designation, but then I also tend to like simplicity. "Tamiami Arts Trail" works for me, but I don't know if our University friends would agree that being considered as part of the teaching art links them directly enough. I like what SOS1 pointed out, which is that many districts already exist, i.e. University District.
I don't know exactly what the process is for this recommendation to roll forward, I will have to find out and report back.
I was under the impression that there were plans for signage, etc. that would refer to the Renaissance Trail and the Miles. As part of a Power Point presentation at the final meeting of the Leadership Group they were shown possible ways to identify the Renaissance Trail. The examples of signage, etc. seemed very permanent.
No one suggested the Tamiami Arts Trail as far as I know. I really like that concept, but then, am definitely not an unbiased commenter.
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