Bayfront Park funding approved

The Sarasota County Commission is showing the town of Longboat Key the money.

Town Manager Dave Bullock didn’t even have to get to the podium Wednesday to make his pitch for Longboat Key’s reasoning for requesting $2 million from Sarasota County to redevelop Bayfront Park.

Within 15 minutes, the entire commission agreed to support Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Services Department Carolyn Brown’s recommendations for using $1.3 million from its Neighborhood Parkland Program, $50,000 from tourism tax dollars and $650,000 from surtax funds that can be used once funds are reallocated to Bayfront Park from a Venice park.

The decision was made as Bullock and five Longboat Key commissioners watched in earnest from the front row of the county commission chambers.

The county commission also agreed wit Brown’s recommendation that the town and county enter into an interlocal agreement that states the town is responsible for the park’s maintenance and upkeep.

“The county doesn’t provide park maintenance for Longboat Key like it does in the city of Sarasota and Venice,” Brown said.

That agreement also will state the county agrees to pay $2 million or 67% of the total cost of the project, whichever is less.

As part of the agreement, the town says the county has a right to be a part of the construction review team that oversees a project that could begin in early 2016.

Sarasota County purchased a 3.88-acre parcel adjacent to the park in 2007, becoming a partner with the town for a park redesign.

The latest park rendering shows some modifications that include shifting a playground to an area shaded with trees, eliminating some nature trails and leaving three potential spots for a future recreation center. New additions include pickleball and shuffleboard courts, a kayak launch/storage area and other offerings.

Longboat Key’s portion of the project is $1,027,279.

“We are thrilled to get moving with this park,” said Longboat Key Mayor Jack Duncan. “I want to thank Sarasota County staff and the commission for working with us to create a park we all are going to be proud of.”

For more information, pick up a copy of next week's Longboat Observer. 

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].