Petition Generates Debate on Walkable Sarasota

Facebook users — and visitors to the Farmers Market — in Sarasota might have noticed an online petition circulating about a “walkable downtown” but what does it mean?

’s SarasotaVision.com and ILoveDowntownSRQ.com are asking “Do you support a Walkable Downtown?” As of Sunday night, 455 people have said yes, and there are more than 150 comments/replies in the discussion thread.

Some petition viewers said they are unsure of what exactly they would be supporting if they signed up. Does endorsing walkability in Sarasota mean you’re in favor of the proposed streetscape plan?

If you said yes to a Walkable Dowtown Sarasota there are four points you agree to:

“I support creating a walkable downtown by allowing for sections of Main Street to be closed to vehicles during certain times.

I support creating wider sidewalks and laying brick on both the street and sidewalks.

I support increased landscaping and beautification of the walkable areas.

I support bringing more locals and tourists to downtown in order to maintain a more vibrant downtown and support our local merchants.”

The petition is setting up for a debate at 9 a.m. Tuesday where the Downtown Improvement District is expected to finalize its recommendation for a streetscape project that will be forwarded to the Sarasota City Commission, which is tentatively scheduled to vote on the plans this month.

is being in relation to other proposed downtown projects, as well as the wide sidewalks and parallel parking that one plan showed.

Along with 450-plus supporters, there are quite a number of people who said no.

Here’s what some folks said, via a Facebook plug-in, on the petition Web site:

“Downtown is walkable. It's nonsense to suggest that bricks or wider sidewalks will bring more people. People bring people and the store and shops attract people. Pretty streetscapes come after you have successful businesses not before. Ripping up streets & sidewalks will only hurt the merchants and put some out of business. This is not the time or economy to spend $millions. Wait until the economy improves, then make changes. If you build it, they will come only works in the movies.” — Restaurants in Sarasota

“Why does our downtown NEED to be rejuvenated? There is absolutly nothing wrong with relaxing and sidewalk tables and parking close to where you want to go. You people are obviously forgetting about the people who can't get around that well... The locals are here 24/7. The tourists are here for a few weeks or months at the most... I welcome them with open arms....even the Canadians...let them enjoy our small town as it is... This town is exactly that as small town... a very wealthy small town but nevertheless a old small town... Do you understand the fact that our county is the oldest in the country.... that average age is 63... 63 year olds cant walk too far and now you want to put that out of reach... cmon people open your eyes. Spend our taxes on something better....” — Mike Costanzi

Rich Sweir Jr., who works at the HuB, regularly engages himself with respondees on the petition. He describes himself in the thread as “a citizen that wants to see Sarasota succeed” and is trying to get people to key in on specifics to their displeasure to the proposed streetscape plans, and to read the plan to advance the conversation:

“I think the thing to ponder is this. Would a merchant trade one convenient shopper for ten walking shoppers. I think the point everyone is missing is that making downtown m[o]re desirable as a destination. If people want convenient they will go to the mall. If they want a unique outdoor Euro-cafe experience they will go downtown. Parking is irrelevant once the experience is appreciated.” 

He sees as wider sidewalks more meant for businesses, and that they should support that because street merchants would have more space to set up shop and downtown merchants can have more room for outdoor dining.

Other users say that the question should be rephrased to focus on the type of initiatives that Swier envisions would be healthy for downtown.

"Maybe the theme should be "Main Street 2100" or something that addresses the overall upgrade of the area. From what you and @Chris Waters are saying, this whole plan does deserve a closer look. I'll read more of the plans and background info that is driving this project." — Patrick J. Gannon

“What a biased question. No normal person would oppose "a walkable downtown" but every sane person also knows that "a walkable downtown" really means an undrivable downtown. Downtown is already walkable, it has sidewalks, but it should never become undrivable. I can't figure out why such a fancy and long bridge is needed, a very simple bridge from the edge of the parking lot near Marina Jack to the other side of 41 would be nice, but there is no reason for it to be so long and fancy, is there anything at all that government can do without making complex? Why is it so freaking hard to just make a very simple bridge, which would help and not have to make a huge thing?” — Tom Trevor

 

What concerns me is the overall look. With the exception of several multistory condos, the downtown, more specifically, Main Street has changed very little since 1965. It lost out when retail moved south and east.

Now the buildings have depreciated and are in need of major renovation and updating (not necessarily "modernizing" in design). Since the mid-90's there has been an aggressive move to residentially "urbanize" downtown.

We need to revisit the unfinished and forgotten plans for central downtown that were approved in the mid-60's.

The outer and inner loops have been completed and one of the two garages is completed with plans for the second on State Street. This will allow for a wonderful walkable downtown along Main St.

It will reduce pollution, draw more consumers, create more activity, and expand business revenues, increase property values, and increase "desperately needed" tax revenues.

John Ringling had a vision for Sarasota 100 years ago. Now, it is our turn to think, not 20, 50, or 75 years from now. We should be asking: "What do we want Sarasota to look like in 2100?" More importantly, "What should we be doing today and the rest of our lives to assure ourselves that we will successfully get there." — Chris Waters

Meanwhile, there’s a petition by the opposition of the streetscape plan, Observer.com reports: 

“Ron Soto, owner of Soto’s Optical at 1383 Main St., has started a petition against the project. He said he has the support of more than 70% of the businesses in the historic district, which comprises Main Street from Orange Avenue to Palm Avenue.”

Which side will win out Tuesday? Stay with Patch to find out.