News briefs

+ Parking garage opening date set
The city had been aiming for a Dec. 22 opening for the Palm Avenue parking garage.

But high winds last week delayed the installation of the giant sails, which will adorn the façade.

The opening is now scheduled for Dec. 29, which will allow for parking during the downtown New Year’s Eve celebration.

Six levels of parking contain 743 vehicle spaces, 80 bicycle spaces and 20 motorcycle spaces.

About 11,000 square feet of retail space is being built on the ground floor, which the city plans to sell to a single buyer.

+ Kathy Baylis will retire from EDC
Kathy Baylis, founding president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, has announced her retirement.

Baylis will step down in June.

“I am proud of all that our team at the EDC has accomplished on behalf of the businesses and residents of Sarasota County,” said Baylis.

Her accomplishments include: creating a film and entertainment office, which has facilitated hundreds of productions that generated $13.6 million in economic impact; initiating the Economic Gardening Program to improve technical support for local businesses; and helping create the SMART program that speeds permitting for companies that are expanding or relocating to Sarasota County.

The EDC’s board has begun the search for a new chief executive.

+ Public-art project is now complete
The latest installation of the public-art project, “Intersections,” was completed Friday, Dec. 17, at Selby Five Points Park.

“Bharata,” an abstract figurative by Claudia Jane Klein, illustrates the scorpion yoga position. It was placed on a concrete pad in the park’s brick walking path.

Intersections is comprised of 12 sculptures placed throughout downtown to encourage people to take a walking tour.

A total of three sculptures are in Selby Five Points Park. Other sculpture locations include the 1400 block of First Street; First Street and Central Avenue; First Street and Lemon Avenue; Main Street and Lemon Avenue; Laurel Street and Orange Avenue; two in the 50 block of Palm Avenue; Palm Avenue and McAnsh Street; and Bayfront Park.

The artwork will be on display through November 2011.

Meetings & agendas
Bird Key Improvement Association — 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at Bird Key Yacht Club, 301 Bird Key Drive
Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association — 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at Gillespie Park Substation, 710 N. Osprey Ave.
City Commission — 2:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3, at City Hall, 1565 First St.
Planning Board Special Meeting — 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at City Hall, 1565 First St.