Landscaping Approved for 'Eyesore'

Connectivity and downtown streetscape. The two issues are priorities for the city of Sarasota and were discussed as part of the roundabout project at Palm Avenue and Ringling Boulevard.

On Monday, Commissioners unanimously approved an additional $16,000 for landscaping to the project at the intersection. Prior to the vote, the project was set to cost more than $609,000.

At issue is a piece of land on the southwest corner of that intersection. Residents of the and members of the nearby said landscaping in that area was an eyesore.

City staff presented a plan that would cost $5,700 to improve irrigation near the church, re-sod the grass and plant a few flowerbeds around trees. In exchange for using its parking lot as a staging area for construction of the roundabout, city staff said the church agreed to maintain the landscaping.

The other proposal, which staff did not recommend, was a more significant landscaping project. Neil Gaines, a city coordinator for capital projects, said the maintenance cost each year would be too much.

He also said the city should proceed with caution because of the precedent the city might be setting. "The right of way is owned by the city," Gaines said. "We don’t historically maintain right of way in front of private properties."

Vice Mayor Terry Turner said staff's assumption of maintenance costs for the additional landscaping is overstated. "We are going to be maintaining the roundabout and the approaches to it," he said. "Incremental costs to maintaining this cannot be huge.

"Stopping short for $9,000; I think it is penny wise and a pound foolish," said Turner about the additional landscaping costs compared to staff's recommendation.

Turner also said the improved landscaping would be consistent with the 'Florida Friendly' plants and design for the rest of the project. 

Mayor Suzanne Atwell said downtown and Palm Avenue will be improved by the project. "We need to get this absolutely fabulous," she said. "I can’t wait for this and I want it to be done right. It's horrible there right now and I’m willing to do this."