Downtown Sarasota's Pineapple Avenue is in line for new pavement, sidewalks, drainage and street lighting. The city wants residents to weigh in before design work advances.

The City of Sarasota will hold a public meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at SRQ Media Studio, 1565 First St. Attendees can view conceptual plans, ask questions and offer feedback on the Pineapple Avenue Roadway Improvements project, according to the city's meeting notice.

The project covers South Pineapple Avenue from Orange Avenue to just south of Ringling Boulevard.

Rebuild adds sidewalks, drainage and new lighting

The city's plan calls for a full rebuild of the road base and asphalt surface, new curb and gutter, sidewalk upgrades with a walkable amenity strip and additional stormwater inlets. Six new light poles would fill gaps in existing lighting, and LED fixtures would replace older ones. Two crosswalks crossing Pineapple Avenue would get curb extensions and improved lighting.

Burns Court and Burns Lane would also be surveyed to evaluate road conditions, drainage and whether milling and resurfacing are needed there. The meeting flyer lists lighting-only improvements for Burns Court as part of the broader project scope.

Surveys underway ahead of design phase

The city is working with engineering firm Patel, Greene and Associates to conduct topographic surveys, right-of-way geometry analysis, geotechnical reviews and subsurface utility exploration, according to the project's Engage Sarasota page. The Engage page listed design as tentatively beginning in spring 2026, but the page has not been updated to reflect whether that phase has started.

No construction timeline has been announced. No project budget is public.

Rick Romenesko, the city's capital projects engineer and project manager, is leading the effort alongside Capital Projects Manager Alvimarie Corales and Chief Transportation Planner Corinne Arriaga.

Residents can attend meeting or sign up for updates

The Oct. 21 meeting at SRQ Media Studio is open to the public. Residents can also subscribe for project updates at Engage.SarasotaFL.gov/Pineapple-Avenue-Corridor-Improvements.