DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - SARASOTA, FLORIDA

A plan and budget for park improvements approved by the city commission in the amount of $134,401 was deemed by the board to be the minimum to meet many of the project goals and much of the community need. DID directors approved a funding commitment of up to $135,000 to cover the park improvements cost.

Improvements:

• Wall removal
  

• Grading
  

• Turf removal
  

• Erosion control (fence)
  

• Path & performance platform paving
  

• 3 Light poles w/acorn globe
  

• Electrical service
  

• Enhanced landscape
  

• Irrigation
  

Budget constraints prohibited the DID from adding the WOW factor elements to this SFPP improvement project.  The Downtown Sarasota Alliance (DSA), an organization that works closely with the DID, received grants from both the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation and the DID to cover the cost of installing color change LED tree lights in every tree in the park.

Selby Five Points Park (SFPP) was an ill maintained eyesore in the center of historic downtown Sarasota.  The park was invariably empty due to its poor condition resultilng from inadequate maintenance, lack of continuous reinvestment in its landscape, and unwelcoming design.  The wall around the entire park was a psychological barrier to an invitation to "come on in."  Center city Sarasota and the Selby name deserve better.  The Downtown Improvement District (DID) board decided to do something about it.

COMING SOON TO THE CENTER OF HISTORIC DOWNTOWN SARASOTA

SELBY FIVE POINTS PARK IMPROVEMENTS CONCEPT PLAN

by WilsonMiller

Website by

John Moran

WOW!

Sarasota Herald Tribune Staff Photo

By Craig Litten