School Avenue trail extension project hits snag for flooding concerns

Flooding concerns expressed by nearby residents of a proposed extension of the School Avenue greenway on the southern end of the city were enough to convince the Sarasota City Commission to instruct staff to bring back more details for its second recommended concept.

During their Sept. 2 meeting, commissioners entertained a request to advance the School Avenue Greenway Feasibility Study. The nearly half-mile stretch lies between the current northern terminus at Webber Street to Datura Street, crossing Blossom Brook Canal along the way.

The existing portion of the greenway between Weber Street and Siesta Drive near the former Southgate Mall was completed in November 2007.

The canal crossing was among the commissioners’ concerns and the most significant difference between the two concepts presented.

Both concepts 1 and 2 prescribe paved surface between Webber Street and the canal on the existing easement. From there, Concept 1 takes the paved path from the canal to Hibiscus Street adjacent to an open ditch, then from Hibiscus Street to Datura Street atop piped drainage. Concept 2 calls for a boardwalk adjacent to and over an open ditch between the canal and Datura Street. 

The paved surface may be either concrete or a pervious surface pending cost and preference.

Staff told commissioners the project would not exacerbate flooding problems in the area and may even improve them with the inclusion of swales and rain gardens once in the design phase.

“I think what you're saying to us is this is not going to increase flooding in the neighborhood, and potentially could help it in some ways, but it's not going to make it worse,” confirmed Mayor Liz Alpert.

Photo by Andrew Warfield

Still, commissioner Kathy Kelley Ohlrich motioned instead to approve a suggested option to reallocate the just more than $1 million for the School Avenue Greenway toward another multimodal project. 

That motion, which failed 3-2 with Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch in support, followed her initial motion to send to funds toward the Circus Trail Extension. That fell flat among her colleagues and never reached a vote.

“I know nothing about the pros and cons of the Circus Trail extension project, so I don't know if that would be better than this,” said Vice Mayor Debbie Trice, her sentiment echoed by Alpert. “I would not be able to vote to support moving the funds to Circus Trail.”

Trice then made the motion to receive additional details for Concept 2 — with less pavement and more open drainage — which was unanimously approved.