For the past 15 years the Burns Square area has been desperately pleading with the city to provide a public parking structure. We have had brief moments of excitement with possibilities such as the Verison lot and Dolphin lot but neither made it to closing with the city.
The Downtown Master Plan stated as a civic responsibility, parking is one of the three types of land uses that has to be purchased or reserved for the future of our Downtown. The Plan states the negative impact the current practice of requiring private developers to accommodate most, if not all parking on-site such as additional bulk and height of the structures and it reduces pedestrian life and civic vitality. It also states, Institutionalizing this one program will enhance the vitality of the Downtown and will control the creeping gigantism of recent developments. There are civic parking reservations for Burns Square noted in the Downtown Master Plan 2020.
The Downtown Parking Master Plan also identifies Burns Square. In fact tier 1 of the plan names three locations, Palm Avenue #1, State Street #2 and Burns Square #3. The city owns property on Palm Avenue and State Street and are actively working on those locations. The next priority in the Master Parking Plan is Burns Square yet the city still does not own any land in this area for a parking structure. The Burns Square area is also priority #5 and #6 out of 8 total parking location priorities in this report.
The Burns Square area has 20 acres of land with approximately 7 acres in different stages of development right now. There are only a few locations that will accommodate a parking structure therefore time is of essence. Burns Square needs the city to acquire something soon.
WHEN WILL THE VISION BE SHARED?
We have been asked, "when will we share our vision that resulted from the charrette with the public?"
Hopefully soon.
Aside from the professionals who conducted our charrette who are paid to help us formulate our vision into a working document, we are all volunteers donating our time to accomplish a huge undertaking by creating a shared vision for the Burns Square area. Understandably a well organized presentation of this magnitude takes time.
We hope to be able to be on a City Commission agenda in the next couple of months presenting to the public our short term and long term visions. We do however have preliminary ideas and are willing to share those with neighborhood or business groups that would like us to speak at any upcoming meeting.
Some have confused our process with an institutional run charrette where not only is the institution the client but the public is as well since the fee is usually paid with public funds. The charrette we conducted had the Burns Square property owners as the client using private money therefore different processes applied to this than one funded with public money. Regardless, the Burns Square area invited the public and was pleased people took the time to come and express their ideas on how we can improve this charming area. We are excited to share our goals and hear feedback with those interested in our vision.
Hopefully soon.
Aside from the professionals who conducted our charrette who are paid to help us formulate our vision into a working document, we are all volunteers donating our time to accomplish a huge undertaking by creating a shared vision for the Burns Square area. Understandably a well organized presentation of this magnitude takes time.
We hope to be able to be on a City Commission agenda in the next couple of months presenting to the public our short term and long term visions. We do however have preliminary ideas and are willing to share those with neighborhood or business groups that would like us to speak at any upcoming meeting.
Some have confused our process with an institutional run charrette where not only is the institution the client but the public is as well since the fee is usually paid with public funds. The charrette we conducted had the Burns Square property owners as the client using private money therefore different processes applied to this than one funded with public money. Regardless, the Burns Square area invited the public and was pleased people took the time to come and express their ideas on how we can improve this charming area. We are excited to share our goals and hear feedback with those interested in our vision.
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Pedestrian safety is a concern and we are addressing that issue in our recommendations for improvements to the Burns Square area. We are redesigning our crosswalks and adding several that currently do not exist along both S. Orange & S. Pineapple Avenues. We are also finding ways to increase the size of our sidewalks and number of on-street parking spaces. The intersections at Orange & Pineapple, Ringling & Pineapple and Ringling & Orange, Alderman & Orange have also been redesigned for a better pedestrian experience. We have also looked into ways to mark the transition from the downtown neighborhood to the residential neighborhoods. And of course our lighting is being installed to illuminate your walks in the evenings.
If you have any pedestrian safety concerns you want us to address please let us know.
If you have any pedestrian safety concerns you want us to address please let us know.
WEEKEND CHARRETTE A SUCCESS
This past weekend was a huge success and we are actively working on all the great suggestions from those that attended.
The number one issue on everyone's mind remained our lack of parking. Over the past twenty years our retail climate has increased but we still find people moving out of the area because their clients cannot find parking spaces. Our area is listed as 3rd, 5th and 6th priority on the City of Sarasota Master Parking Plan. The City already owns land for the 1st and 2nd locations on the priority parking plan list. Time is not on our side on this issue.
Safety was a close second and we are working to redesign the intersections, cross walks, street parking and traffic speed. Mr. Trias had the Roundabout guru at our charrette and many were designed for our area. The city is currently installing our new lighting so this will certainly improve walking in the area during the evening hours.
Our surrounding neighborhoods are an important part of our vitality and we have come up with some suggestions for transitions. Laurel Park expressed concern with possible future development of the Women's Exchange or the Short Stop Convenience Store so that will be an ongoing conversation because there are no plans in sight for these locations.
We are working on thoughts for our own land and we are still at the beginning stages of these conversations. Many people expressed they liked the charm of the area and so do we. Please continue to give us input and suggestions on how we can improve our charm.
The number one issue on everyone's mind remained our lack of parking. Over the past twenty years our retail climate has increased but we still find people moving out of the area because their clients cannot find parking spaces. Our area is listed as 3rd, 5th and 6th priority on the City of Sarasota Master Parking Plan. The City already owns land for the 1st and 2nd locations on the priority parking plan list. Time is not on our side on this issue.
Safety was a close second and we are working to redesign the intersections, cross walks, street parking and traffic speed. Mr. Trias had the Roundabout guru at our charrette and many were designed for our area. The city is currently installing our new lighting so this will certainly improve walking in the area during the evening hours.
Our surrounding neighborhoods are an important part of our vitality and we have come up with some suggestions for transitions. Laurel Park expressed concern with possible future development of the Women's Exchange or the Short Stop Convenience Store so that will be an ongoing conversation because there are no plans in sight for these locations.
We are working on thoughts for our own land and we are still at the beginning stages of these conversations. Many people expressed they liked the charm of the area and so do we. Please continue to give us input and suggestions on how we can improve our charm.
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