ROUNDABOUT PROCESS WITH PROPERTY OWNERS

Much has been written and said about the roundabout the City of Sarasota is studying for the intersection of Orange and Pineapple Avenues.  On behalf of the Burns Square Property Owners, we would like to provide some specific information related to this proposal, which has been approved for further study.

In 2005, Burns Square held a self-funded charrette with Urban Planner Ramon Trias and Michael Carlson (local architecture firm creating the Downtown Master Plan 2020 with DPZ).  We also hired Michael Wallwork, PE, as the engineer to study the layout of our pedestrian space in Burns Square.  Among other important things, we confirmed our roads were wider than necessary and our sidewalks are not a desired width.  He also studied and came up with a few alternatives for the intersection of Orange and Pineapple Avenues, one of them being a roundabout.

At the beginning of 2007, Sarasota County put off a large storm water drainage project that had been planned for the Little Five Points area until April 2008.  The project is extensive and projected to last 7 months.  The county will be tearing up the intersection of Orange and Pineapple and digging deep holes for new storm water drains.  The Burns Square Property Owners felt it was prudent to study this intersection again, to see if we could improve the list of problems it currently has while this construction was taking place.  We had a few preconceived ideas but had never focused on the roundabout idea.  We decided in May to hire experts to help.

In June, Bill Dennis, Charter Member of the Congress of New urbanism and highly sought-after planner, came to Burns Square for 4 days to study and improve our plans from 2005.  (You can see his list of accomplishments on his website www.bdennis.com.)  He studied the intersection and played with several design options, finally asking why we did not pursue the roundabout the traffic engineer suggested back in 2005.  Ultimately, that was the design he suggested, just as Mr. Wallwork did in 2005, to provide an optimal solution for the geometry of that intersection.  (see blog post June 2007 BURNS SQUARE MAPS ITS FUTURE)

In July, the Burns Square Property Owners Association went before the commission to ask for approval for the SurTax Funds to be used to improve the intersection of Orange and Pineapple Avenues by installing a roundabout.  We also requested the project be started or completed in conjunction with the Sarasota County storm water project to minimize neighborhood impacts from construction.  We presented photographs of the intersection before and after with a roundabout and a whimsical "Carmen Miranda Fountain".  (see July blog post ROUNDABOUT APPROVED 5-0 FOR SURTAX FUNDING)

In August, the Burns Square Property Owners immediately hired Michael Wallwork to create a conceptual design to make sure a roundabout would work and create a better pedestrian experience.  We presented his conceptual design in September to the City Engineering department to see what they thought and a few weeks later presented them to Sarasota County and Boyle Engineering.  All the engineers felt the conceptual design would work.

Immediately after the City and County reviewed the roundabout conceptual design, a neighborhood meeting was scheduled.  As a result of those meetings the city engineering department asked for additional funds to work with the concerns that have been expressed and to explore the feasibility with the county.  The city commission approved those funds on November 19th.

We know there have been concerns and issues raised.  We are excited about this opportunity for further study to guide the rebuilding of this intersection, following completion of the storm water project, into one with greatly improved function and aesthetic appeal.  If you have questions or concerns or are simply interested in the outcome of this process, please stay involved.  If you have specific questions for us, please feel free to ask.  

Thank you, Denise Kowal, President

Burns Square Property Owners Association

CIVIC PARKING FOR BURNS SQUARE

The Downtown Parking Master Plan points out eight top priority locations for civic parking facilities, Burns Square is identified in three of them.  First, Burns Square is identified as the number 3 priority with a civic facility to be built on or around the Verizon parcel by 2008.  The second time as number 5 priority with a civic facility on the north side of Burns Square around Pineapple Avenue to be completed by 2010 and lastly as the number 6 priority to be completed by 2011 on the County Administration Building on Ringling Boulevard.

It is desirable for Civic parking facilities to be within acceptable distance from various businesses, particularly anchor businesses such as the Burns Court Cinema.  Acceptable distance is within 500 walking feet (variables apply).  Because of limited available parcels, only three were identified as acceptable locations during the Burns Square Property Owners 2005 Charrette (Orange/Dolphin, Verizon, Woman's Exchange).  Today, those remain the locations of interest.  Our first choice remains the Orange/Dolphin parcel, second the Woman's Exchange parcel and third the Verizon parcel.

The City Commission approved entering into negotiations with Michael Saunders for the Verizon parcel on November 5th, 2007 (http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071106/NEWS/711060403/-1).  At the following City Commission meeting, the City Commission approved entering into negotiations with the Woman's Exchange for their parcel on November 19th, 2007 (http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070924/NEWS/709240491/-1/xml&display=Salestirsupneighborhoods).  Only one parcel will most likely be purchased for the benefit of a civic parking facility.

In addition, the Burns Square Property Owners through the work completing the 2007 improvements to the 2005 Master Plan identified opportunities for extra on-street parking.  Everyone highly values on-street parking and hope over the years the city can continue to look for ways to add those spaces.  Through the installment of the roundabout at Orange and Pineapple we will be able to add additional spaces between Alderman and Oak on Orange Avenue.  Through various studies, Burns Square needs around 700 addition parking spaces upward to 2000 new spaces as the area develops.

Civic Parking is important to Burns Square so development can be kept within a lower scale excluding the need for buildings to bulk for internal parking requirements.

CHALK FESTIVAL - A BEAUTIFUL EVENT

Burns Square held its first major event this November, the "Burns Square Chalk Festival" benefiting the Sarasota Film Society.

 Over 20 artists worked their fingers raw for two days on the rough street surface of Pineapple Avenue creating beautiful drawings for the pleasure of passerby's, lucky enough to be a part of the expressive process.  As each hour passed, every painting evolved upon the pavement making every part of the weekend a new experience.

Today small traces of the works of art can still be seen as they slowly disappear with each car that passes over them.  We already have many more artists signed up for the next years event to be held November 15th and 16th, 2008.  We are planning to have over 50 artists next year.  Volunteers, Sponsors and Artists are very much appreciated and encouraged to participate in this magnificent community event.  www.burnssquarechalkfestival.com

BURNS SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

On October 29th the Burns Square Property Owners and merchants invited over 500 people that live within 750 feet of the intersection of Orange and Pineapple Avenues to a neighborhood meeting.  We invited everyone to a discussion/debate about the Burns Square mixed-use area, the possible move of the Woman's Exchange, civic parking garages, the Burns Court Cinema and the proposed roundabout at Orange and Pineapple Avenues.  Our goal was to keep our neighbors well informed of the facts as well as have an opportunity to express concerns and have questions answered.  We were completely open and transparent about our goals for this special part of Sarasota as we work toward the vitality this mixed-use area depends upon.  

Over 75 people attended the meeting throughout the hour discussion over wine and cheesecake. The weather was wonderful and it was a great night for neighbors to bond and meet one another.  We want to thank those that came and for spending an hour with us to learn what we are so passionate about.  Everyone's support has been greatly appreciated.

WALLWORK REHIRED FOR WORK ON ROUNDABOUT

Wishing we listened to the expert Michael Wallwork P.E. the first time, the Burns Square area hired him again to study his 2005 proposal to the Burns Square property owners. During the 2005 charrette with Ramon Trias, Mr. Wallwork studied the dangerous and ineffective intersection at Orange and Pineapple Avenues. He came up with three proposals, one of them being a roundabout.

The scheduling of the Storm Water drainage project by Sarasota County for this intersection got the property owners refocused on improving this crossing. If the area was going to be completely torn up, everyone wanted to see if any improvements could be made when it was put back together. Bill Dennis reintroduced the Mr. Wallwork concept of a roundabout this past summer. In order to assist the city, the Burns Square property owners paid for Mr. Wallwork to create a conceptual design.

We are pleased the roundabout will work in the Orange/Pineapple location and will add many advantages to the area which could not be realized with the Orange/Alderman roundabout. In addition to a number of benefits the city and the area merchants will also be able to capitalize on the synergy with the County's Storm Water drainage project starting April 2008. The cooperative effort will allow the merchants to only have to deal with construction on Orange Avenue once.

Benefits the roundabout will bring to our mixed-use area:

1. Make Pedestrian Space a Priority over the Vehicles
2. Connectivity, Access for Customers within Core Shopping area
3. Allow continued Bus Service and Emergency Vehicle Access
4. Accommodate High Volumes of Traffic
5. More Pedestrian Space and Street Trees
6. Pedestrian Safety - 30mph 50/50 chance survival/40mph 20% chance survival/20mph 95% CHANCE OF SURVIVAL
7. Slower Speeds at highest use Pedestrian crossing as well as merchant awareness
8. Addition of Cross Walks - new cross walk on Orange Avenue
9. Gateway Entrance, Mark beginning of Downtown
10. On-Street Parking added
11. Reduction of Traffic Lanes down to 2 instead of 4

The conceptual design had to shift current vehicular compromises that already exist on the main thoroughfare that affects a large customer base to the side streets which effects a small customer base. Vehicles exiting Oak Street onto Orange Avenue can only take a left turn in the current design which may change. A vehicle may have to use Rawls to Alderman or go around the block in Burns Square. But as quoted by the Laurel Park Neighborhood Association President, Ms. Deborah Dart in the November 1, 2007 Pelican Press, "You just turn and go around the block like you do everywhere else downtown." Seems simple to us too.

GUEST COLUMN BY DENISE KOWAL - CONNECTIVITY

Guest columnist Denise Kowal, Herald Tribune September 24, 2007

SARASOTA SHOULD JOIN THE MANY CITIES THAT HAVE REMOVED HIGHWAYS

The de-designation of U.S. 41 is one of the most important components the Downtown Sarasota Master Plan 2020, which was adopted with enthusiasm by the City Commission by a unanimous vote. The costs were high, the benefits were obvious and it was understood that great things take work. A mobility study group was put together by the city to move this initiative forward.

Little did we know we were being swept up in a political and emotional battle that had very little to do with good urban planning or common sense. One former commissioner actually stated, "I know it (de-designation) is the right thing to do, but it would kill me politically." How can our city be handed a home run within our master plan and yet to our dismay have our City Commission continue to strike out in implementing it?

I first heard about the option to move the highway away from the waterfront from New Urbanist Andres Duany several years ago during the Downtown Master Plan charettes. I also learned we are not alone in facing this challenge. Many cities, for many reasons, are removing highways along their waterfronts. In fact, there are cities not only facing the de-designation challenges but also successfully tackling them and getting the highways removed with great success.

Through the Congress of New Urbanism, I have had the opportunity to hear John Norquist, president and CEO, speak of his efforts while mayor of Milwaukee to reclaim its waterway. While we cower in fear over impacts to the mighty automobile and minimize the benefits of de-designation, other, truly progressive cities have been doing what we think is unthinkable. Here are a few examples:

Milwaukee removed the Park East Freeway, one of the largest highways to ever be purposely destroyed, led by Norquist, who said, "The DOTs simply think of these areas as a places to drive through, but this is your city. This is a place with real value."

San Francisco removed the Embarcadero Freeway after an earthquake. This was after two citizens' initiatives failed because the majority of citizens believed the highway department, saying they could not afford to lose the highway. The city now uses its grid system of streets instead and has no noticeable increase in traffic congestion.

The city had such success that it tore down a second highway, the Central Freeway, replacing it with boulevards with about 50 percent of the vehicular capacity.

Seattle, through the People's Waterfront Coalition, led by Cary Moon, is successful in gaining momentum in removing the Alaskan Way Viaduct that blocked off the city in the 1950s.

Trenton wanted to get the river back for its state Capitol and surrounding neighborhoods from a highway constructed in the 1950s. Ingrid Reed has been instrumental in the movement.

Providence is removing Interstate 95 from its downtown -- imagine that!

Vancouver, which is a fabulous urban city, never had any highways and today will not allow any more road growth to force people into the downtown to use the grid system.

If we want livable communities, transportation must be subordinate to urban design and we need to start using the tools we adopted, the Downtown Sarasota Master Plan 2020 and the SmartCode. As with any major change, critics will find a thousand reasons why this can't be done. This current effort will be no exception to that rule.

Every city I mentioned faced the same types of criticism. But isn't it time we saw past our auto-mindedness and took our bayfront back, connected our neighborhoods and welcomed traffic calmly into our city instead of allowing it to swarm around us like a bunch of bees?

I say it is, and many others agree. Will you join us?

BURNS COURT CINEMA IS NOT MOVING

For some reason a few individuals chose to spread a rumor that the Burns Court Cinema was moving out of Burns Square...then the press caught wind and printed the rumor, never asking us.  We in Burns Square tried to stop the rumor as it spun out of control, pleading for someone to just ask us the truth but nobody did.  We can only apologize for any heartache this caused our thousands of loyal customers and want you to know we did the best we could.  Please continue to enjoy our charming cinema, Burns Court Cinema, Sarasota's only independent film theater.  

Members of the Cinema enjoy added benefits.  To become a member of the Sarasota Film Socity go to www.filmsociety.org, they are a non-profit organization bringing the best in independent films to all of us in Sarasota.

PROFESSIONAL PARKING ANALYSIS CONDUCTED

Further studying the parking needs in the Burns Square area, expert help was sough from Rick Chellman, P.E. of TND Engineering, http://www.tndengineering.com/people/chellman.html. Extensive research was done during the 2005 charrette and some of that information, zoning code regulations as well as the Downtown Parking Master Plan information went into the Chellman report. The report is, "A preliminary analysis of the anticipated parking needs for the proposed redevelopment of the Burns Square area in Sarasota, Florida has been completed in conformance with the Urban Land Institute's 'Shared Parking' methodologies." A first analysis was completed to calculate what might reasonably be construed as the "minimum" parking needed for Burns Square. These calculations assume that all parking - even including residential spaces - are available to be shared, and that several of the existing vacant blocks are not yet redeveloped. A peak weekday demand of 1,990 spaces (20% sharing) and a peak weekend demand of 2,097 spaces (16% sharing).

The Downtown Parking Master Plan adopted by the City Commission shows between 1,265 to 1,620 spaces constructed in three separate civic parking facilities throughout the Burns Square area.

The Downtown Master Plan 2020 identifies three important civic responsibilities, Civic Buildings, Civic Space and Civic Parking. A few quotes from the Master Plan:

“A surface parking lot is an example of the worst type of street frontage, affording the passerby little sense of enclosure, protection or interaction.”

“The Master Plan proposes allocating particular uses to appropriate location within the Downtown Proper, with incentives that reward future developers for maintaining a low to mid-rise scale for their projects. The Master Plan suggests ways to strengthen the emphasis on pedestrian scale retail and restaurant uses along certain corridors such as Main Street and Palm Avenue. The Master Plan also suggests a broad based public program to develop parking structures; this program coordinates with other forms of private sector development.”

“The new ordinance will contain a provision for providing parking spaces in municipal parking garages to be purchased by the developers of individual buildings thereby preventing the necessary bulking up of buildings in the attempt to provide on-site parking.”

“On-street parking is a key element of the walkable, livable downtown environment.”

“…written and graphically illustrated plan for building form, land use, public open spaces, pedestrian circulation, vehicular circulation and parking.”

SMARTCODE WORKSHOP ORGANIZED BY KOWAL & PLACEMAKERS

On August 9, 2007 Denise Kowal organized a SmartCode Workshop with Placemakers, instructors of the code and developers of the SmartCode Complete.  Over 100 people participated in the day-long workshop at the Payne Park Auditorium.

From the SmartCode:

The SmartCode written by Andres Duany and calibrated and adopted by the City of Sarasota through the Master Planning process incorporates Smart Growth and New Urbanism principles, Transect-based planning, environmental and zoning regulations, and regional, community and building-scaled design provisions.

The principles of Smart Growth and New Urbanism support communities that are town-centered and transit and pedestrian-oriented, with a mix of housing, commercial and retail uses, while preserving open lands and achieving other environmental goals.  New Urbanism was born in the early 1980's with the design of the groundbreaking new traditional town of Seaside, Florida.  Since then, planning has progressed on over 900 New Urbanist communities across the continent.

Many of the most-loved traditional towns of North America were deliberately and thoughtfully planned.  However, in our time, over the past sixty years, places have evolved in a completely different form.  They have spread loosely along highways and haphazardly across one-open country, enabled by the widespread ownership of automobiles, cheap petroleum, and generalized wealth.  Standards in favor of the automobile over the pedestrian.  These practices have created strip shopping, big box stores with enormous parking lots, and sadly gutted downtowns.  This movement has made walking or cycling beyond one's own cul-de-sac dangerous or even impossible.  There has been simultaneous destruction of both towns and open space - the 20th Century phenomenon known as sprawl.  The form of our built environment needs a 21st Century correction.

The SmartCode was created to attack this problem at the point of decisive impact - the intersection of law and design.  It is a form-based code, meaning it envisions and encourages a certain physical outcome - the form of region, community, block, and/or building.  This form is compact, walkable, and mixed-use, and it is meant to be comfortable, safe, and ecologically sustainable.  It allows a mix of uses within the neighborhood, so its residents don't have to drive everywhere.

The operating principle of Transect is that certain forms belong in certain environments; for example, an apartment building belongs in a more urban setting, and a ranch house belongs in a more rural setting.

Denise Kowal, President of the Burns Square Property Owners Association is one of only two people in Sarasota who are professionally trained in the SmartCode.

ROUNDABOUT APPROVED 5-0 FOR SURTAX FUNDING

As a result of work completed by the Burns Square Property Owners with Urban Planner Bill Dennis, a request for SurTax funding was presented to the City Commission on July 17th, 2007 for a roundabout at the intersection of Orange & Pineapple Avenues.  The presentation not only pointed out what a wonderful idea the roundabout was but included an opportunity to have synergy with the County's storm water project that starts in April 2008.  A rather comical exchange took place about the whimsical photoshop "Carmen Miranda Fountain" probably costing Burns Square $200,000 less in funding, going from $1,000,000 down to $800,000.  We are happy with the $800,000 and feel confident the completion of the roundabout can be achieved and will bring great improvements over the current layout, design and appearance.  With or without Carmen Miranda!

BURNS SQUARE MAPS THE FUTURE

THE SARASOTA OBSERVER, THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2007

long-term planning by Roger Druin/City Editor

BURNS SQUARE MAPS THE FUTURE

(Photo:  Denise Kowal, president of the Burns Square Property Owners Association, shows two roundabouts designed to slow traffic on Orange Avenue.)

With seven of 20 acres primed for development, property owners want to get ready for growth - before it happens.

Denise Kowa, president of the Burns Square Property Owners Association, and urban planner Bill Dennis put the final touches this week on a 3-by 5-foot map of Burns Square.

The map summarized an effort by merchants and property owners to create a blueprint for their commercial district.  The challenge is to promote a walkable customer-friendly district that maximizes modern development while preserving historic areas.

"This is us recognizing that Burns Square is changing," Kowal said.  "So, how do we contribute to making sure the change matches a vision of where we want the city to go?

"We're not requiring anyone to do anything," she added.  "We just care how Burns Square grows up."

The map shows where about 300 on-street parking spaces can be added and where two roundabouts would slow traffic on Orange Avenue, allowing pedestrians to feel at ease walking from store to store.  it shows possible future condo and commercial projects, and how they should fit in with the streetscape, sidewalks and existing buildings.

The Burns Square Owners Association funded the process to create the map, which is becoming the foundation for a mini-master plan for the district.  Thus far, owners have spent $35,000 on the process.

Kowal sent a scaled-down version of the map to city commissioners Monday.  She also sent a copy to the president of the merchants association to distribute to merchants.

Kowal plans to conduct a feasibility study to show how much the improvements would cost, and illustrate how the city would capitalize on financial contributions because of anticipated increases in tax revenue from new projects.

Next, she is going to present the map and the plan to the City Commission.  If the commission forwards the plan to city staff, Dennis said he will work with city officials to explain the blue-print and why it is important to the future of the city.

Dennis, a renowned New Urbanist who has created designs for an impressive list of mixed-use projects across the country, said he wants to plan a workshop with city staff to go over the plan.

"In many cases, each department will find what is wrong with the plan and why the city can't do it," Dennis said.  ""We have to hold a workshop to find out where the problems are and methods to solve them - instead of just saying 'this can't work."

The map encompasses about $3 million to $4 million in improvements, in addition to several city projects already in the works for the district.  Kowal said she expects some funding to come from the city's tax increment financing.  

Commissioner Ken Shelin met with Dennis when he was in town.

"I thought he had some very simple ideas that are very do-able and wouldn't cost much," Shelin said.

The commissioner said moving the sidewalk and curbing to create additional parking spaces on Orange Avenue is one improvement the city could begin planning immediately.

Other long-term changes will take time.

One of those improvements is a roundabout at the intersection of Ringling Boulevard and Pineapple Avenue and another at the intersection of Orange Avenue and Oak Street.

dennis envisions public art in the middle of both roundabouts.  One possibility is a large pineapple at the Ringling Roundabout.  The roundabouts could be designed in a way that enhances the district's identity and makes it more of a destination place.

Vice Mayor Kelly Kirschner said he looks forward to reviewing the district's plan.

"I applaud Mr. Dennis and the Burns Square people for taking the initiative and coming up with a plan that says this is what we want to see our area look like,"  Kirschner said.  "This is a starting point.  As far as when something will happen and what the costs are, that is an open discussion that has to take place."

URBAN PLANNER BILL DENNIS REWORKS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS

Continuing to be leaders in Urban Planning the Burns Square Property Owners hired renowned Charter Member of the Congress of New Urbanism Bill Dennis to update the public improvement Master Plan created during the 2005 charrette. Dennis came to the city for four days and worked endless hours, day and night with the property owners and meeting with city staff from engineering, parking and planning.  His efforts and input is quite valuable on so many levels and Burns Square is quite appreciative and fortunate he is helping us out.  

The Burns Square Property Owners have dedicated thousands of hours and tens of thousands of dollars to study and create visions for this great area of our downtown, which is so loved by everyone. No other part of downtown has been studied as extensively or been given the attention to detail as the Property Owners have brought to the table for Burns Square on their own dime. 

Not a bit of taxpayer money went into the volunteer hours or costs for plans the property owners and experts continue to put together to help further its success.  The City Commissioners were the first to see the finished drawing.  At the request of some city commissioners, the property owners presented the current plan to the entire city engineering department and the entire planning department in July 2007 offering assistance with public improvements.  We look forward to working with the city, county and community to help our area continue to be an asset.

STORMWATER PROJECT PUT OFF ONE YEAR

 In a cooperative effort between the Burns Square merchants and property owners a decision was made to put off construction of the County's storm water project until April 2008.  The project is scheduled to last 7 months.  The entire intersection at Orange and Pineapple Avenues will be re-piped along with some sections of Oak Street.  The property owners will use the time to study the intersection for improvements.