Letter to the Editor: Stop trying to reinvent downtown Sarasota

+ Stop trying to reinvent
downtown Sarasota

Dear Editor:

With reference to the Jan. 12 article titled, “Main Street proposal scaled back,” by Kurt Schultheis, I would like to make the following comments:

I’ve been a resident of Sarasota for 34 years. I love it here! I am in my mid-50s and feel I am an average, long-term resident and one who truly has enjoyed living here for so many years. I am compelled, though, to ask why we strive to reinvent Main Street every few years.

I realize a common goal — keeping patrons coming downtown — is on everyone’s mind. We know visitors are coming to Sarasota County in droves.

One need only drive around St. Armands Circle or Siesta Key, or go to the beach to get visual assurance that locals and tourists are enjoying our community.

Based on those observations, I feel it doesn’t make sense to keep pouring more money into revitalization efforts, such as brick walkways, fancy trees, landscaping and historic streetlights.

All we really need to do is find a way for the sun to shine in downtown Sarasota again. That’s what will bring the people back!

Martha Ingels
Sarasota