Of New Urbanism, Arcades, and Jogging - I've recently been doing a bit of what most people call jogging (I call it "running" because it makes me feel much more athletic, but I recognize that as slightly delusional.) I've taken to making one run a week that covers as much as possible of downtown Sarasota, so I can get an up-close look at how different projects are going, what our city facilities look like, and how things overall are coming together. One thing that has been interesting as we've gotten closer to summer is how drawn I am as I go to any shade I can find, and how the few arcades that we do have make such good shade. (I know what you're thinking - "his running is nothing like people walking!" If you're saying that, you have quite obviously never seen me running.)

I also had the opportunity when I was in the Florida Panhandle a couple of weeks ago to visit a number of the small New Urbanist communities that are springing up along the coast. Seaside, for example, has all the charm its reputation would suggest, but for my personal taste was just a bit too close - though I'm sure I could live there quite comfortably. On down the coast was another called Rosemary Beach, that was also quite interesting and somewhat "roomier." Both featured arcades to the curb line under living space quite prominently - in fact in some cases small balconies or other features actually extended over the parking space., and were both attractive and functional.

My point isn't to trigger another great debate on arcades. It is simply to state that when the City Commission voted to effectively "ban" arcades, staff was also given direction to evaluate where and when arcades make sense and eventually bring that discussion forward. I think along the way everyone agreed that arcades in and of themselves aren't an evil, it's the correct application of them as a design feature that counts. I hope as the issue comes forward in the future, that's the conversation we have. My recent (welcome) exposure to arcades prompted me to say so!