Open house planned for beach project

Sarasota County staff will present the 60% complete design plans for the Siesta Key public beach improvement project Nov. 13, during a public meeting at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.

County staff, in an August 2012 draft of the 60% plans, estimated the project would cost $21.4 million. Since then, the estimate has been pared down by roughly 22% to match the amount originally presented to Sarasota County Commissioners last year, according to Siesta Key architect Mark Smith.

Smith said during the Siesta Key Association meeting yesterday that he received a detailed price breakdown of the project, to assure the prices reflect market rates and clarify the plans.

“The bottom line is they felt the $16.7 million price tag was correct,” Smith said.

IF YOU GO
What: Siesta Key Beach improvements public meeting
When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13
Where: St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 5394 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key