Monday, August 14, 2006
SARASOTA ASKED TO CONSIDER "SKY PLAZA" - See Image
SARASOTA -- First it was a 107-foot-wide bridge, then a 27-foot-tall statue.The next big thing to be proposed for Sarasota's bayfront: a 180-foot-long platform that would hang over U.S. 41 traffic, forming a sort of elevated concrete park for pedestrians on their way from downtown to the water.Those who are championing the $7 million "sky plaza" say it's needed to help residents and tourists safely cross the busy thoroughfare.City commissioners got their first glimpse of the plans on Wednesday."I think it looks like something out of the 'Jetsons'," said Mayor Fredd "Glossie" Atkins. "I'm willing to look at other options."
That's OK with the sky plaza's supporters -- who just want the pedestrian issue to be addressed."Traffic keeps getting more concentrated," said resident Gil Waters, also of a group called Mobility Now. "The complaints from downtown residents keep increasing. This is the right time to be planning for downtown."Foes are already lining up against the colorful sky plaza, which could have sitting areas and even an ice cream stand."The only things that are missing are a ringmaster and a calliope," said downtown resident Tom Pocorobba. "I think this will be an eyesore. It serves no functional purpose."
John Moran, president of the Downtown Sarasota Condo Association, sees another "Unconditional Surrender" on Sarasota's hands.Like the giant statue of the kissing sailor and nurse that was on the bayfront for months, the sky plaza seems to be a polarizing force. The 107-foot-wide John Ringling Causeway bridge, the other grand public project in the neighborhood, caused similar debate in the 1990s.
Moran, who was among those who spoke in favor of the sky plaza, emphasized that the drawing is just a concept and not the final product."We have to come together for something that's universally acceptable," he said. "It's clear we're together on the goal."The sky plaza, suspended from huge concrete arches, would span 180 feet across U.S. 41. It would hang 20 feet over traffic. Pedestrians could get to the escalators and elevators from Main Street.Waters said he believes that residents could raise more than $1 million for the sky plaza. Supporters would like the city to put up $4 million. Commissioners sat silent through the presentation, but shared their concerns later."It's too big," said Commissioner Lou Ann Palmer. "It's intense."But Palmer is willing to look at helping residents and tourists reach the bayfront from downtown."
We know we have to do something about easier access across (U.S.) 41," she said.Save Our Sarasota, a local advocacy group that has voiced concerns about downtown development, has also opposed the plaza. Members say it is "inappropriate in character and overwhelming in scale and would detract from the beauty of our bayfront," according to an e-mail. Residents who opposed the sky plaza gathered outside the City Commission chambers."If anything else, it's shocking us into paying attention," said resident Martie Lieberman.
By MIKE SAEWITZ
mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.com
SARASOTA -- First it was a 107-foot-wide bridge, then a 27-foot-tall statue.The next big thing to be proposed for Sarasota's bayfront: a 180-foot-long platform that would hang over U.S. 41 traffic, forming a sort of elevated concrete park for pedestrians on their way from downtown to the water.Those who are championing the $7 million "sky plaza" say it's needed to help residents and tourists safely cross the busy thoroughfare.City commissioners got their first glimpse of the plans on Wednesday."I think it looks like something out of the 'Jetsons'," said Mayor Fredd "Glossie" Atkins. "I'm willing to look at other options."
That's OK with the sky plaza's supporters -- who just want the pedestrian issue to be addressed."Traffic keeps getting more concentrated," said resident Gil Waters, also of a group called Mobility Now. "The complaints from downtown residents keep increasing. This is the right time to be planning for downtown."Foes are already lining up against the colorful sky plaza, which could have sitting areas and even an ice cream stand."The only things that are missing are a ringmaster and a calliope," said downtown resident Tom Pocorobba. "I think this will be an eyesore. It serves no functional purpose."
John Moran, president of the Downtown Sarasota Condo Association, sees another "Unconditional Surrender" on Sarasota's hands.Like the giant statue of the kissing sailor and nurse that was on the bayfront for months, the sky plaza seems to be a polarizing force. The 107-foot-wide John Ringling Causeway bridge, the other grand public project in the neighborhood, caused similar debate in the 1990s.
Moran, who was among those who spoke in favor of the sky plaza, emphasized that the drawing is just a concept and not the final product."We have to come together for something that's universally acceptable," he said. "It's clear we're together on the goal."The sky plaza, suspended from huge concrete arches, would span 180 feet across U.S. 41. It would hang 20 feet over traffic. Pedestrians could get to the escalators and elevators from Main Street.Waters said he believes that residents could raise more than $1 million for the sky plaza. Supporters would like the city to put up $4 million. Commissioners sat silent through the presentation, but shared their concerns later."It's too big," said Commissioner Lou Ann Palmer. "It's intense."But Palmer is willing to look at helping residents and tourists reach the bayfront from downtown."
We know we have to do something about easier access across (U.S.) 41," she said.Save Our Sarasota, a local advocacy group that has voiced concerns about downtown development, has also opposed the plaza. Members say it is "inappropriate in character and overwhelming in scale and would detract from the beauty of our bayfront," according to an e-mail. Residents who opposed the sky plaza gathered outside the City Commission chambers."If anything else, it's shocking us into paying attention," said resident Martie Lieberman.
By MIKE SAEWITZ
mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.com
