- January 19, 2026
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With renovations completed, under way and scheduled for four historic buildings within the Cultural District of The Bay park, the steward Bay Park Conservancy has secured an agreement with the city of Sarasota to manage rentals of the facilities.
Work has been completed on the Blue Pagoda, Sarasota Garden Club and Chidsey Library buildings and is under way on the Bayfront Community Center. Still to come this spring are renovations to Municipal Auditorium, all structures owned by the city and located within The Bay park's 53 acres.
Earlier this month, the Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved the amendment to move all management and operations of the structures of the Chidsey Library and the auditorium/community center into the partnership agreement between the two parties.
The BPC is leading the conversion of the city-owned property — which includes the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Centennial Park boat launch, the four buildings and more — into a signature green space. All facilities will continue to be owned by the city but managed and maintained by the BPC. The $200 million project is in the midst of Phase 2 construction and planning for Phase 3, all funded 50% by philanthropy and 25% each by the city and county with revenue derived from tax-increment financing collected on improved tax value of downtown properties near the park set against a benchmark of 2020 assessments.
“We are adding two buildings that (the BPC) have not previously managed and operated, and that is the Chidsey Library and also the Municipal Auditorium, which had been operated and managed by the city up until October,” Governmental Relations Manager Jennifer Jorgensen told commissioners on Jan. 5.
Municipal Auditorium management includes the attached Bayfront Community Center. The Chidsey Library re-opened late year as the offices for the BPC, which were moved from the Blue Pagoda.
All four buildings are listed on the National Register for Historic Places. The benefit to the community, BPC Founding CEO AG Lafley told commissioners, is that rates to rent them for events are lower than commercial rental fees of private venues. For the city, benefits include capital improvements now and in the future, and maintenance and management of the facilities are the responsibility of the BPC.
“We provide cleaning before and after and we provide set up if requested,” Lafley said. “We meet with them, we show them the venue. We lock the doors when they're done, we make sure the security (system) is on.”
In exchange, Lafley said the rent covers expenses plus “very modest management and administrative costs.”
The rents vary based on the size, scope and time of the events.
To book the venues or for information, visit TheBaySarasota.org.
Built in 1938 and designed by architects Thomas Reed and Clarence A. Martin in Art Deco style, Municipal Auditorium anchors the Cultural District and can accommodate a range of events from galas to business meetings, seminars, trade shows and private parties.
Capacity:
Dimensions: 98 feet by 70 feet (plus 54 foot by 28 foot stage).
A 1960s-era mid-century Sarasota School of Architecture building features floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor patio nestled within botanical gardens.
Capacity:
Dimensions: 75 feet by 29 feet
Under renovation, the semicircular attachment to the rear of Municipal Auditorium offers natural light and is ideal for a variety of events such as birthday parties, baby showers, celebrations of life, meetings and more. Construction is anticipated to be complete by March 1.
Capacity:
Dimensions: 78 feet by 46 feet.
An iconic 1956 Mid-Century Modern building designed by architect Victor Lundy offers 360-degree glass walls and a vaulted ceiling provides space for small group gatherings and meetings.
Capacity:
Dimensions:
