Sarasota's City Commission refused to shelve hundreds of millions of dollars in downtown and bayfront development, unanimously overriding City Manager Karie Friling's recommendation to pause six major projects until after the November election.
At the July 27-28 budget workshop, commissioners directed Friling to come back before the September budget adoption with a project-by-project breakdown of what can move forward, Your Observer reported. The vote keeps alive plans for a performing arts center, bayfront park expansion, workforce housing, a water taxi, a downtown master plan update and a senior housing partnership.
Friling had urged the pause because of Florida Amendment 3, a statewide property tax measure on the November ballot. City staff estimated the amendment could cut Sarasota's property tax revenue by $5.5 million by fiscal year 2029.
"The recommendation to pause these projects is because of no other reason than the referendum that is scheduled to be considered by the voters of Florida," Friling said at the workshop. "It doesn't mean the projects aren't important. It just means that we have an unknown future."
Commissioners pushed back, noting they had never been formally asked to consider the pauses. Rather than wait, they told Friling to spell out which pieces of each initiative can advance.
What's on the line
The six projects Friling labeled "generational":
Sarasota Performing Arts Center: Estimated at $260 million to $295 million for a 2,200-seat venue with flex space, scaled down from an earlier $425 million concept. Italian firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop produced a preliminary design for the northeast corner of the Van Wezel parking lot. The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation has pledged to raise $172 million to $207 million; the public share would come largely from The Bay park tax increment financing district. The city has spent $2.4 million, but an implementation agreement with the foundation is two years behind schedule.
The Bay Phase 3: A $90 million plan to complete the 53-acre bayfront park, including Centennial Park boat ramp improvements, converted Van Wezel parking with green space and a city-owned parking garage. The city allocated $1 million for design, but no construction funds are committed and Sarasota County has not signed off on its share.
First Street workforce housing: The city acquired parcels along First Street between Orange and Lemon avenues in mid-2024 for $7.38 million. Commissioner Liz Alpert raised the status of a potential deal for the 1st Street Credit Union property at 1558 First St., which would allow one cohesive building rather than two towers. Staff is working toward an extension of the letter of understanding.
McCown Towers expansion: An $8 million city contribution to the Sarasota Housing Authority would yield 160 public parking spaces in the Rosemary District and 96 new senior affordable housing apartments. Without the city's money, the entire public housing project remains in jeopardy. No city funds have been obligated.
Downtown Master Plan Update: A 13-member committee seated in November 2024 was poised to hire a consulting firm this summer at an estimated $500,000 to refresh a plan created more than two decades ago by urban planner Andres Duany. No city money has been spent.
Water taxi: Dock construction between Bayfront Park and Ken Thompson Park on City Island is estimated at $1.2 million to $1.5 million. The city has set aside $500,000 in tourist development tax funds.
No money committed yet
None of the six projects have committed funding. Director of Financial Administration Kelly Strickland told commissioners that Bay TIF dollars require three-way approval from the city, the county and the Bay Park Improvement Board before any money flows to construction.
Friling stressed the projects have no effect on the proposed $322.36 million fiscal year 2027 budget, which holds the millage rate flat at 3.2730 mills. The concern is longer-term financial stability.
Friling's project-by-project assessment is due before the final FY2027 budget adoption in September.
