DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - SARASOTA, FLORIDA
DID'S DIRECTORS LISTENED - 2010 DID OPERATING PLAN

MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the Downtown Improvement District is to improve the Downtown Core of the City of Sarasota. (From Ordinance No. 08-4832)

GOALS-OBJECTIVES

MAINTENANCE

Goal:  Enhance the maintenance of public space within the District.

Objectives:

  • Analyze the existing current levels of maintenance (including city cost) by May 1, 2009.
  • Determine which maintenance items will be supplemented by June 1, 2009.
  • Determine if additional maintenance items should be considered.
  • Implement maintenance plan no later than October 1, 2009.

Cost:Need cost estimates.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (LANDSCAPING)

Goal:Enhance the physical and visual streetscapes within the District.

Objectives:

  • Develop a RFP for a downtown streetscape plan by a landscape architect by April 2009.
  • Work with a consulting firm and the city of Sarasota to develop a plan for improving downtown streetscapes by June 2009 using 2010 monies.
  • Select capital improvements from the plan to implement during the 2010 Fiscal year.

Cost:  $28,000 estimated cost of plan.  Cost for improvements to be developed by plan.

MARKETING

Goal: Increase awareness, retail sales and business activity within the District.

Objectives:

  • Participate in the City Wayfinding Plan process and adopt appropriate elements into the DID’s marketing plan during the coming fiscal year.
  • Incorporate the Downtown Sarasota Historical District into its marketing plans during the coming fiscal year.
  • Explore opportunities for an integrated marketing approach for the District by July 1, 2009.
  • Help support a holiday campaign during the 2009 holiday season.
  • Conduct studies during the 2010 fiscal year to understand the demographics of who comes and uses downtown and based on these studies identify ways to attract people downtown, increase their length of stay and ensure revisits.
  • Identify what businesses and services are in the District and where they are located.  This information will be used to monitor sales within the District and for maps, kiosks and Wayfinding.

Cost:  5% or more of the annual budget.

SAFETY

Goal:  Enhance public safety within the District.

Objectives:

  • Monitor the safety issues of downtown Sarasota by meeting quarterly and reviewing crime statistics with the Sarasota Police Department.
  • Meet quarterly and review the homeless situation with Homeless Coalition officials of Sarasota.
  • Enhance the volunteer police program in the District during the coming fiscal year.
  • Support a discussion to identify issues and solutions to chronic homeless persons in the District during the coming fiscal year.
  • Evaluate the cost and effectiveness of technology for safety concerns in the District by January 1, 2010.
  • Print and distribute 5,000 magnets/stickers and other printed materials with appropriate police phone numbers by July 1, 2009.

Cost:  Need cost estimates.

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT/FUNDING

Goal:  Secure resources beyond the ad valorem tax base to accomplish the goals of the District.

Objectives:

  • Review the resources available as a result of the designation of part of the DID as a recognized Historic District September 2009.
  • Explore matching funds from property owners and users when they are the primary beneficiaries of District capital improvements.  Identify property owners/users as early as possible in the process.
  • Seek funding from other taxation sources including: Tax Increment Financing District, Penny Sales Tax, developer agreements, and public art funds.
  • Seek funding from parking meter income during the coming fiscal year.
  • Pursue private funding sources such as the City Parks Foundation, Community Foundation and others.
  • Investigate use of state and federal funding sources.

Cost:  Need cost estimates.

MANAGEMENT (Boards make policy, managers implement policy.)

Goal: Provide management and oversight of the District.

Objectives:

  • Develop and adopt a strategic plan for three to five years by May 2009.
  • Prepare and recommend an annual budget and operating plan by May 2009.
  • Decide on a structure for management assistance working with the City of Sarasota, the Downtown Partnership of Sarasota, the Merchants Association and/or individuals, using an RFQ or RFP no later than the beginning of the FY 2010.
  • Have the city of Sarasota put the DID Strategic Plan and FY 2010 Operating Plan (when adopted) on the city website by the fall of 2009.

Cost:  Need cost estimates.

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