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.

PRAYERS FOR BURNS SQ PROPERTY OWNER HARRY ROSENBLUM & HIS SON

Harry's son had a tragic accident in the early hours of December 8th. A Blog has been set up for people to read the progress of his only son, Michael. Michael's birthday is December 22nd; he will be 17 years old. The Blog address is http://michaelarosenblum.blogspot.com and you are encourage to leave a message.

TIF CRAAB Project Prioritization October 25th

I attended the CRAAB TIF Project Prioritization workshop October 25th. Speakers were allowed a whopping 3 minutes to explain why their project(s) should be a high priority use of the TIF money. I spoke as President of the Burns Square Property Owners Association and refreshed their memories on the requests of Burns Square made several months ago. Our priorities in Burns Square remain Municipal Parking (#5), Ringling Avenue Roundabout (#14) and Burns Square Improvements (#7). What was not on their list was Attainable Housing that they already recommend funding with 1/3 of TIF money. The CRAAB board had 18 items to prioritize. There list will be provided to the City Commission (CRA) who will make the final decisions. The following is the CRAAB board list of priorities:

1. Wayfinding System $1.5 M TIED WITH...
Fruitville Rd Improvements $3.9 M
3. Downtown Historic District $10 M TIED WITH...
Public Private Partnerships $10 M
5. Municipal Parking $14 - 20 M TIED WITH...
Cultural District $35 M
7. Burns Square Improvements $5.23 M
8. Bicycle Network Improvements $0.8 M
9. Selby Five Points Park $2.9 M
10. US 41 & Gulfstream Roundabout $4.5 M
11. Storefront Facade Program $10 M
12. Cocoanut Avenue $1.0 M
13. US 41 Pedestrian Sleeves $1.9 M
14. Ringling Ave Roundabouts $1.7 M
15. US 41 & Fruitville Roundabout $12 M
16. US 301 Pedestrian Sleeves $2.2 M
17. Fruitville Rd & East Ave Sleeve $0.6 M
18. Oak St Belvedere $0.1M

Background:
As some of you may remember, several months ago I presented to the CRAAB board the improvements we came up with during our charrette process. Kate Lowman (LPNA President), Susan (Burns Square Association Vice President), and a Director from the Burns Court Cinema attend the meeting with me to show support for the Burns Square requests. I have also presented our requests to the DTP and have their support. I have asked the CCNA Board twice the opportunity to show our plans to the CCNA members but they declined. I have also met with each commissioner to explain the items on our request since they will ultimately make the decisions as the CRA.

The CRA and CRAAB had a joint meeting back in August and put projects into different levels of priority. This is one of many meetings to prioritize projects. During this meeting Parking, Ringling Roundabout and Burns Square Improvements were kept in the high priority category.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS, WHAT DO THEY KNOW?

As some of you may remember our fellow property owner Harvey tried on several occasions to get us, the other property owners in the area, to consider environmentally friendly improvements to Burns Square. Improvements such as Sidewalks that breath, thermal heating and cooling and better building products. While I agreed with Harvey 100% because we should recycle, I had little to offer on the subject. I, along with everyone else possibly are just ignorant and being a true environmentalism seemed so complicated, uncertain, difficult and expensive. Everyone settled on the easy options and that was to stick with what we know and not complicate anything especially with a subject no one understood.

Well, first I want to say to Harvey, I hope you accept my apology for allowing everyone to push your ideas aside too quickly. I can also say, thanks to you, I have started to become education on the importance of putting your ideas into our vision. Of course there is the movie Inconvenient Truth...and then at the CNU Conference when I heard a brilliant lecture on mankind destructive behavior on the environment...and then I had the opportunity just a few weeks ago to meet William McDonough and hear his lecture. www.mcdonough.com

Okay....I am on board!

McDonough, architect, is the co-author of the book "Cradle to Cradle" along with Michael Braungart, chemist. A MUST READ!! What I really like about their environmental approach is stated in their book, "We see a world of abundance, not limits. In the midst of a great deal of talk about reducing the human ecological footprint, we offer a different vision. What if humans designed products and systems that celebrated an abundance of human creativity, culture, and productivity? That are so intelligent and safe, our species leaves an ecological footprint to delight in, not lament?" If you have a chance to hear this man talk, then do it but until then, I highly suggest you get the book and read it. I will loan out my copy for anyone who cannot find it.

NEW LIGHTING IN BURNS SQUARE

We are illuminated!! For those that have not noticed, we in Burns Square have new decorative lighting along Orange & Pineapple from Mound to Ringling and some in between. Five years ago the city approved the Burns Square decorative lighting capital improvement. On schedule the city installed the lighting during the beginning of this year, so thank you to the city and contractors for a job well done.


I used the oportunity to decorate the sidewalks around my building with mosaics.


Please come to a Friday night walk that is the first Friday of each month, or to a movie and dinner at one of our cafe's and see how wonderful our area has become for evening strolling.

JOHN MCKINIGHT ABCD COURSE

The City and County partnered to bring John McKnight into town and teach his course on Asset Based Community Development. I strongly suggest attending one of his courses.

I went to Chicago about a year ago and took the course with several others from Sarasota including Michael Raposa from the City of Sarasota's Neighborhood Department who organized the whole thing. There are only a few people that impact your life so drastically that you change the way you do or look at things and Mr. McKnight is one of those talented people.

He has been working with neighborhoods to help improve the role of citizens to create stronger communities and able democracies for decades. His approach is refreshing and clear cut, often using stories to get his lesson heard. The course is usually two or three days long. You can call the Partnership Office at City Hall to find out about the next course being offered locally.

SUMMER VACATIONS

For my summer vacation, I climbed the Grand Teton Mountain!! Talk about putting things into perspective. Rock Climbing is a sport that challenges you not only physically beyond comprehension but also mentally challenges you. It took a day to hike to basecamp were you get to sleep in a tent type hut with 12 other people you do not know. You wake up at 3am to start the climb up the mountain in the dark seeing so many stars that you cannot even find the big dipper that was so clear from the valley. As the sun comes up your view is one that only a few ever see. You make it to the top, something you question from the moment you leave your car, and then you are rushed down before lighting storms roll in threatening your life again. We made it back to our car at 6pm that night. That day was 15 hours of non-stop physical excursion. Cool huh?

Share what you did over the summer.....

BROCHURE for BURNS SQUARE

It has been over two years since the Burns Square brochure was designed so the Burns Square Association is revamping the brochure. They have been actively meeting, rallying memberships and applying for grants to help support the costs that will be around $4,000.00 for 10,000 brochures.

Please contact Melanie Wright with the Wright Look at 529 South Pineapple, Burns Square Association President for information.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Recently the City of Sarasota held a Saturday morning symposium on affordable housing. During the introduction the audience was told that this was not a symposium to discuss what we already know which is housing prices are increasing drastically while wages are not. The audience was also told that this meeting is for people that want to "do" something and not for those that like to say what "they" should be doing because "they" were not in the room today. At the end of the symposium we were directed to fill out a form that stated exactly what we were willing to "do" to help with affordable housing in our city otherwise we would be unable to ever leave City Hall.

Listening to the different organizations and the volunteers express what they do and have to do to get affordable housing for people is truly humbling. I fully admired the work each group is doing to help the people in our community find affordable housing as well as the partnerships and help the City of Sarasota contributes to these organizations. We have a city lead by our commission that is dedicated to affordable housing and should be applauded for their efforts so far. We have groups not only helping families but also the elderly and handicapped.

Ultimately more help is needed and some speakers spoke from their heart saying you have to dig deep in your personal values to ask, "what meaningful can you contribute to help our community with affordable housing."

During the question and answer time, it seemed many people like to discuss the issue or complain about "them" not doing enough or the best statements being, "if "they" only did this". I promised on my slip at the end of the discussion to get someone 18 to register and vote, stay involved in my neighborhood association, drop off donations to the different organizations such as Goodwill, discuss with other property owners in Burns Square about adopting a house to do lawn and light work around a home for the elderly or disabled.

I asked the organizations to supply a list to the city, giving the locations of homes that need assistance, (therefore the money these organizations get can go to providing homes instead of lawn care) so the neighborhood associations could help by each adopting a home.

The list of speakers included Mike Jacobson (Habitat for Humanity & Rebuild Sarasota), Martina Guilfoil (Community Housing Trust), Laura Carter (GoodHomes), Jane Hindall (Office of Housing and Community Development), Carmen Valenti (Sarasota Housing Authority), Charley Richards (Coalition to Assist Supportive Living), Scott Eller (Coastal Renaissance), peter Routsis-Arroyo (Catholic Charities), Christine Filusch (Raymond James & Associates) and the moderator was Jaimie Ross (Affordable Housing Director in Tallahassee).

If you are interested in attending let me know, I think the city will hold another symposium in the near future.

CONGRESS FOR THE NEW URBANISM

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HISTORIC DISTRICT - BURNS SQUARE

Is it just the owners of Burns Square that find it amusing that the Downtown Partnership is organizing to request the City Commission to designate a historic district without including Burns Square?

We have talked with the Partnership a few times about this and they still seem to exclude us. If there is a place the locals call a historic district, it would be Burns Square. Regardless, I think Burns Square should look into this and stay attuned to the Partnerships agenda on this one.

PINEAPPLE SQUARE - DEAL FOR WHO?

Several months ago the Burns Square Property Owners heard a presentation by the Pineapple Square developer John Simon at our monthly meeting and the overall feelings for the project were positive. The presentation contained very general information about the development and no financial details were offered or asked for. We are just learning what those financial details are and have many questions.

We are currently struggling with the amount of money and land that is being exchanged with the Pineapple Square developer for 350 public parking spaces. We did not hear any logical explanation on how this decision could be justified with the lack of support by the consultants, staff and appraisers. Burns Square certainly did not have this type of approval for the purchase of the Orange Dolphin property, which was to provide much needed parking for our area. Yet Burns Square had the support of staff and the consultants. Burns Square has also been operating, paying taxes and surviving the city's ups and downs for decades. In addition our 350 spaces would have been at least 5.5 million dollars cheaper than those in Pineapple Square, yet the commission stated Orange Pineapple was too expensive. Burns Square's need for parking also has the support of the parking consultants as outlined in the City of Sarasota Master Parking Plan and by Andres Duany in the City of Sarasota Master Plan 2020.

Burns Square has over 200 businesses employing over 1000 people contributing to our economic vitality. We have been paying our taxes in the good and bad years, sticking it out to help our city grow into a better community. For the past twenty years, Burns Square has drastically improved adding Banks, Restaurants, Medical offices, retailers, professionals, the busiest business in all of downtown, the Women's Exchange and brought back a theater to downtown in the 1980's, the Burns Court Cinema. We learned through our charrette process that the existence and growth of our businesses in Burns Square are restricted because of our lack of parking and yet our taxes, licenses and rents continue to climb. So we ask, how does the "new" development receive such an incentive so quickly, while there are so many unanswered questions while our area that has contributed so much over the years get turned down for a desperately needed parking structure?

The Burns Square Property Owners Association had one design request of the City Planning Department and the Pineapple Square developer, which was to keep the view open between the South end of Lemon and Pineapple Avenues and Burns Square. The Downtown Master Plan has recommendations for liner buildings on the city owned property that surrounds the Mermaid Fountain at the intersection of Lemon & Pineapple Avenues, which would block off the view between Burns Square and Pineapple Square. We were happy to see that the proposal by the Isaac Group did not include the liner buildings and they suggested improvements to that park instead.

We hope for the success of the Pineapple Square project, we even support helping the developer financially unless it is at the expense of those already doing their part.

TO ARCADE OR NOT TO ARCADE IS NO LONGER A QUESTION

Last evening, January 23rd, the City Commission voted down the option of arcades and the ability to build habitable space above them. Mayor Servian, Vice-Mayor Atkins, Commissioner Palmer all voted against arcades. Commissioner Shelin was against arcades but did not vote for the language presented. They did discuss they would like to discuss this option at a later date.


Through our Charrette with Urban Planner, Ramon Trias, we learned that arcades would work and sometime necessary in Burns Square. I spoke at the Commission Meeting last evening to express the view of the Burns Square Property Owners Association. This is what I said:

"Good Evening, my name is Denise Kowal and I am speaking as President of the Burns Square Property Owners Association and as a property owner, resident and business owner in the City of Sarasota.

I cannot speak with authority for the entire city but I can speak for the interests of Burns Square.

The Property Owners Association has invested tens of thousands of dollars in our process to create a long-term vision for development, which we hope to present to the City Commission, in an open public meeting sometime in March. Our vision includes arcades in some areas and we found in many cases they were not only completely appropriate in scale and effective but also necessary in Burns Square due to the current downzoning to DTC. The elimination of this option will drastically hinder our process that has been underway for months. We are quite proud of the work we have undertaken, our ability to work together with differences and create a shared vision that will benefit not only the businesses and property owners in Burns Square but the entire city.

We find it upsetting that the Burns Square Property Owners may not be recognized as responsible citizens, working diligently to grow their area into a wonderful destination with the possibility of arcades, should you rescind this option. We ask you to keep the possibility of arcades in the Master Plan and in the very least, keep them as an option that can be approved by the commission.

We hope you respect the work we have done and allow us the opportunity to present our vision before you deny it."

OWNERS SHARE PUBLIC SPACE VISION WITH LAUREL PARK

The Burns Square Property Owners Assoc. will be sharing its vision for public improvements for the Burns Square area with the Laurel Park neighborhood at the board meeting on Monday, January 9th. There are many issues that affect both areas such as pedestrian safety, parking and traffic. We will be speak about improvements the association will propose to improve public safety that will improve the quality of life for the many residents who walk, drive and Segway within or through the area. We will also discuss strategies, options and recommendations for public parking to eliminate the need for business people from Burns Square to use the streets of Laurel Park for parking. We also have ideas for Morrill, Laurel & Oak Streets, clearly defining the business area in Burns Square from the residential neighborhood of Laurel Park. We look forward to sharing our ideas with Laurel Park and hearing their input.

DESPERATELY BURNS SQUARE NEEDS PARKING

After a recommendation from Lance Stahl from the Trading Company, one of the Burns Square property owners, we started a petition requesting the city to purchase a location for a parking structure and it goes as follows:

BURNS SQUARE NEEDS PARKING DESPERATELY!!

PETITION To The CITY COMMISSION

I support the purchase of the lot on Dolphin Street and Orange Avenue by the City so they can build a parking facility for the Burns Square area. I feel this lot is centrally located within Burns Square making it an ideal location for a parking facility. I encourage the City Commission to move forward consistent with the Downtown Master Plan 2020 and The City Master Parking Plan and purchase the mentioned property with the TIF funds that were put in place for this purpose. It will never cost less!

End of petition

Signatures are being taken in the area shops. If you wish to support this effort, please stop by, if you can find a parking space and sign the petition. We already have over 200 signatures since December 21st.

Just kidding about if you can find a space. We do have on-street parking and some temporary parking locations. The temporary lot that is open to the public is on the East side of Orange Avenue just north of Laurel Street. We are also working on some other temporary lots that have not gone into construction yet. These locations are temporary and will be unavailable once developed. We thank you for your support.

PUBLIC PARKING STRUCTURE NEEDED

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.

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.