City awarded $2 million in stimulus funds

The city of Sarasota will receive more than $2 million from the federal government for four projects and programs.

The money was awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is earmarked for the following:

• Siesta Drive drainage project    $1,053,068
• Energy study/green jobs    $598,100
• Police Justice Assistance Grant    $236,034
• Newtown storefront rehabilitation    $151,705

City Manager Robert Bartolotta said the city continues to pursue more stimulus funds.

“Almost daily, we learn about new stimulus grants,” he said. “We are submitting the most comprehensive applications we can to obtain as much stimulus money as possible for Sarasota.”

The city is also seeking nearly $9 million in public-safety and environmental-cleanup grants, including $8 million to clean the Marion Anderson Place brownfields and $750,000 for police officer retention.