| Sarasota,
FL: A construction fence soon will be erected at the site
of the future Palm Avenue parking garage, signaling the start
of significant construction and economic impact in downtown
Sarasota. Two projects will help create a better downtown
for business owners, residents and visitors: the Palm Avenue
parking garage, restaurant and retail space; and a roundabout
at Five Points, including a new waterline, to service the
downtown area. Pedestrian bulb-outs also will be constructed
at Palm Avenue and Main Street. With these construction projects,
the City of Sarasota is investing more than $14 million in
infrastructure in downtown.
A formal groundbreaking ceremony is expected
to take place for the parking garage around April 1st. As
those plans are solidified, the City will notify the community.
 The
garage will accommodate 743 vehicle parking spaces, 20 motorcycle
spaces and 80 bicycle spaces and include 12,000 square feet
of retail and restaurant space on the ground floor. The mixed-use
parking garage will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) certified at the gold level. No road closures are
expected to be required for this construction project, which
is expected to be finished by mid-December 2010.
The Five Points roundabout project will begin
with the replacement of an antiquated waterline running  beneath
Main Street. Construction of this phase of the Five Points
project is anticipated to start on or around June 1st and
last for 30 days. During that time, Main Street from Five
Points to Palm Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic.
The waterline replacement will require an overnight water
service shut down(s) and boil water advisories. Affected businesses
and residences will be notified prior to any water shut off.
On or around July 5th, when the waterline
phase is completed, construction will begin on the new roundabout
at Five Points (where Main Street, Pineapple Avenue and Central
Avenue converge). The intersection is expected to be closed
to vehicular traffic until around September 3rd.
Cul-de-sac turnaround points will be created
where the road is closed so drivers can navigate the area
easier. The contract for this construction project includes
monetary incentives to ensure the rapid completion of the
roundabout with minimal disruption to residents and businesses.
Intersection improvements, including pedestrian friendly bulb-outs,
at Palm Avenue and Main Street, are expected to start on Labor
Day, Mon., September
6th and continue to Thanksgiving week. This portion of the
construction will include landscaping, brick pavers and roadway
resurfacing.
The City of Sarasota will work closely with
the contractors to ensure the timely dissemination of news
regarding road closures and water shut offs. To register
for email alerts and to learn more about the projects
visit www.sarasotagov.com.
Alerts also will be sent via www.twitter/cityofsarasota.com
|
Tentative Construction Timeline
|
| Parking Garage |
April 1 – Dec. 17 |
No road closures |
| Waterline |
June 1 – June 30 |
Main Street closed from Pineapple Ave.
to Palm; Palm Ave., one block west of Main St.., closed
|
| Roundabout |
July 5 – Sept. 3 |
Five Points intersection closed |
| Bulb-outs/Landscaping |
Sept. 6 – Nov. 23 |
No road closures |
|
