News Briefs

+ CCNA thanks the DID for park improvements
The Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations likes the way Selby Five Points Park looks these days, and its members wanted to show their appreciation.

The CCNA presented a letter of thanks to the Downtown Improvement District, which spearheaded improvements in the park.

The letter read:

“Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is to express our appreciation for the time, money and efforts spent in improving our city park, Selby Five Points Park. It’s beautiful and a wonderful improvement to life in our downtown.”

Representatives of 18 city neighborhoods signed the letter.

The DID conducted a complete makeover of the downtown park, with new landscaping, sod, sculptures, brick walkway, performance stage and computerized lighting system in the trees.

+ Selby Five Points Park sound system discussed
After Mayor Kelly Kirschner suggested to city staff members a sound system be installed in Selby Five Points Park, the Downtown Improvement District was briefed on the proposal.

Staff said the mayor discussed a $2,000 grant from the city to pay for a speaker system that would pipe music through the park.

The company that installed a lighting display in the tree canopy last week said a sound system could be purchased that would allow the music to coordinate with the lights.

But with a price tag that could reach more than $7,000, DID members wanted to let the improvements they’ve made to the park sink in before adding any new ones.

+ City and county offices to be closed for holiday
City and county government will close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 17.
Libraries will also be closed.
Residential garbage, recycling and yard-waste collection as well as SCAT bus service will not be impacted.
The regular City Commission meeting will be held the following day, Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Meetings & agendas
City Council — 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, City Hall, 1565 First St.
Festival Steering Committee — 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, Sarasota County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd.
Central Cocoanut Neighborhood Association — 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, Roskamp Center, 1226 N. Tamiami Trail
Arlington Park Neighborhood Association — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere St.
City/County Economic Summit — 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice