CITY SEEKS INPUT FOR
NORTH SARASOTA INITIATIVE
Sarasota, FL: The City of Sarasota will hold
a public forum Mon., February 11, 2008 at 6pm to discuss
how to implement significant and sustainable changes within
north Sarasota. The forum will be held at the Booker High
School cafeteria, located at 3201 N. Orange Ave. The public,
especially residents and business owners within the north
district, are encouraged to attend.
In 2007, 9,000 people were arrested in Sarasota. Nearly
half -- 4,800 -- were arrested within the north district. “To
encourage investment in a community, the members of the
community must have a feeling of safety,” City Manager
Robert Bartolotta wrote in a letter inviting 200 members
of the community to attend Monday night’s forum. “Street
level narcotics dealing, prostitution, and crime will not
be tolerated in any neighborhood in the City of Sarasota,” Bartolotta
stated.
The initiative, known as “New Day in Newtown”,
calls for community support to prompt change within north
Sarasota. “This is not just a police plan,” said
Cpt. Lucius Bonner, who is helping to coordinate the initiative. “We
can’t just arrest our way out of this situation.
We’re trying to get buy-in from those who live and
work there, to help take back their community,” said
Cpt. Bonner.
During the public forum, participants will break into
small brainstorming groups to discuss how to approach five
critical areas in Newtown: neighborhoods, law enforcement,
social services, economic development and youth services. “Bring
your ideas,” stated Bartolotta. “Be an active
participant and help bring about a new day in Newtown.”
The revitalization of Newtown is the number one priority
for the City Commission. Many initiatives are already in
motion, including the recent expansion of the tax increment
financing district into Newtown; plans for a new Robert
L. Taylor recreational center; and the availability of
grants and loans to encourage investment in the community.
A Newtown farmers market is also expected to be unveiled
soon.
For more information, please contact:
Jan
Thornburg, Public Information Officer (941) 954-2613
jan.thornburg@sarasotagov.com
