Traffic is top concern for future project

Mark Walsh, vice president of Ocean Properties Ltd., has tried to address every concern residents have about a future Longboat Key Club Islandside project, including density, height and development relocation. 

But at the top of residents’ concerns is the traffic a future development will bring to the island, especially during peak season. 

“Traffic has been heavy this year without the Hilton up and running and the Colony still offline,”  Islandside Property Owners Coalition President Bob White said. “So any project has to address traffic concerns appropriately.”

Walsh said there are several things he plans to do to alleviate traffic if voters approve the May 12 referendum and the Longboat Key Town Commission approves the future Islandside project. 

“We’re just as concerned about traffic and we will use every effort we can to work with the town, Florida Department of Transportation, the U.S. Coast Guard and Sarasota County to help alleviate bottleneck areas,” Walsh said. “I see a lot of opportunity to improve traffic and will work with the town for necessary improvements needed at Longboat Club Road and Gulf of Mexico Drive.”

Asked if he would support and help finance a roundabout at the entrance to the Key Club as preliminary proposed by the town, Walsh said: “We would work to support and help with any proposed traffic alleviation solution proposed and recommended by the town and FDOT.” 

Walsh said he intends to keep guests at the resort once they arrive and off of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

“We want them to sleep here, eat here, golf here and dine here,” Walsh said. “And guests arrive at 11 a.m. and depart around the same time, so we don’t contribute to the peak hour traffic.”

Walsh said the amount of traffic a new project will put on the road won’t change the existing transportation level of service that exists on Gulf of Mexico Drive. 

Walsh also said he supports crossing guards or officers at peak hours at major intersections such as U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road, St. Armands Circle and other “traffic bottleneck points.”

“...Everywhere we own a hotel, there are traffic concerns,” Walsh said. “It has to be a concerted effort with everyone involved to focus on bottleneck areas.”

— Kurt Schultheis