Utility undergrounding, The Bay highlight City Commission agenda

Among the items on the agenda of the Oct. 20 meeting of the Sarasota City Commission is a discussion about letters of support from property owners and merchant groups to create special assessment districts to fund capital improvements.

These include undergrounding of overhead utilities on St. Armands Key, Lido Shores and Lido Key and enhanced lighting within the South Poinsettia Park Neighborhood Association area. The agenda item is initial policy action to acknowledge the community interest and to authorize staff to begin work required to create and fund the districts as required by statute.

According to the agenda item support for undergrounding utilities on the barrier islands has received 87% from St. Armands Residents Association; 97% from Lido Shores Property Owners Association; 93% from Lido Key Residents Association; and non-specified strong support from the St. Armands Circle Association, which comprises the merchants, businesses and restaurants. 

Also, a survey shows 70% of South Poinsettia Park Neighborhood Association members support enhanced street lighting. 

According to the City Attorney’s Office, there is no statutory or city code threshold required to begin the feasibility/assessment phase, which is up to the discretion of the City Commission to determine if the level of support is sufficient to move forward.

Bay Park Phase 3

Also during the Oct. 20 meeting, the City Commission will receive a presentation from the Bay Park Conservancy that will include an update on The Bay Park Phase 2 project and to seek approval of $20 million in dedicated tax increment financing district revenues for The Bay Park Phase 3 projects.

The BPC's request includes design and construction of Phase 3A for $16 million, and design only of Phase 3B for $4 million. The BPC will also provide a preliminary overview of Phase 4

Phase 3 capital improvements include improved resiliency, environmental restoration and water quality improvements along the Centennial Park canal and the area north of the canal. Improvements will also be made to the north and east seawalls along the canal, increase boat launch capacity, add trailer parking capacity, rehabilitate the restrooms, and install floating day dock on the northeast side of the canal.