City to hold lift station outreach meeting

The city of Sarasota, continuing to work on the forthcoming Lift Station 87, will hold a community outreach meeting Thursday to update citizens and get feedback on an planned above-ground structure.

Originally slated to be constructed underground in Luke Wood Park, Lift Station 87 is now being constructed above ground in order to withstand a Category 3 storm surge. Representatives from the engineering firm in charge of the project will provide an update on the design, and staff will discuss the new design with residents.

The above-ground building, the latest chage in an oft-delayed project, is a development that has gone over poorly with some nearby residents. According to a press release, the city is looking to create a design that blends in with the park.

“The conceptual plan is to design the building in the Art Deco or Mission style, like many of Sarasota’s historic buildings,” said Utility Director Mitt Tidwell. “We have received input from the city’s Urban Design Studio and now want to discuss the renderings with residents and hear what aspects of the architectural design are important to the community.”

The meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the SRQ Media Studio in City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

Contact David Conway at [email protected].