Charter Officials-City Auditor & Clerk

 
 

 

City of Sarasota Logo
NEWS RELEASE
City Hall
1565 First Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
For Immediate Release: November 28, 2007
PARKING FEE SCHEDULED
TO BEGIN AT VAN WEZEL
Sarasota, FL: As part of a move toward business efficiencies at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the City of Sarasota soon will add a parking fee onto each ticket purchased for an event at the VWPAH. Effective January 1, 2008, each ticket will have a $2.00 parking fee added to the ticket price. The user fee is being implemented to offset the deficit at the VWPAH. “The public expects the City of Sarasota to operate the Van Wezel in a professional business-like manner. Its deficit shouldn’t be carried by the taxpayer, but the user,” said City Manager Robert Bartolotta.

There are several exceptions, including:

• Since the new parking fee will impact ticket sales January 1, 2008 and later, season ticket holders for 2007-2008 will not be affected. They should expect to see the new parking fee added to their next season ticket purchase.

• Free events, including Friday Fest, Jazz Club outdoor concert and military band performances, will remain free with no parking fee.

• Non-ticketed events, such as weddings and graduations, will be assessed a $1.00 parking user fee per person. The additional parking fee will be separate from the rental fee, and based upon the number of people in attendance.

• Anyone who rents the VWPAH and sells tickets for a performance (ie: dance recital) either through the VWPAH box office or otherwise, will be charged a $2.00 parking fee per ticket.

It is anticipated the City of Sarasota will collect $250,000 - $300,000 per year with the implementation of the parking fee schedule. “It’s not unusual for entertainment venues and events to have paid parking,” said Bartolotta. “There’s paid parking at Ed Smith Stadium and Disney. Why should this be any different? With this parking fee and other user charges, we hope to eliminate the Van Wezel’s deficit over a three year period.” The Van Wezel ended the 2006-2007 budget cycle $1.4 million in the red. The current budget reduces the amount to $590,830.

Other venues for the performing arts throughout Florida charge for parking. For example:

• Clearwater: $5.00 parking fee per vehicle at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

• Orlando: $8.00 parking fee per vehicle at Bob Carr Performing Arts Hall, plus $1.25 service charge through Ticketmaster.

• West Palm Beach: $10.00 parking fee per vehicle at the Raymond Kravis Center.


Members of the public who would like more information may call the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall: 941-955-7676.

 

The media may contact Jan Thornburg at 941-954-2613 for more information.
jan.thornburg@sarasotagov.com