Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 Expands to include 15 Community Organizations

Sarasota Bayfront 20:20, a coalition of community organizations united in support of a vision for Sarasota Bayfront, has launched a new social media campaign – #CanYouSeeIt – to solicit input about the future of the regional amenity.

The campaign, meant to engage the public in an online conversation about establishing guiding principles and a roadmap for the redevelopment of this valuable asset, will utilize digital mediums including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, blogs and the campaign’s website – www.sarasotabayfront2020.com.

“There are so many organizations looking toward the future with a vested interest in how this initiative progresses that there is tremendous opportunity to work together and hear the voice of the community,” said Michael Klauber, volunteer leader of the Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 coalition.

With the Sarasota Opera adopting the 20:20 vision this week, there are now 15 organizations with a common goal of moving forward with developing a vision for the Sarasota Bayfront. Those organizations include: Coalition of City Neighborhoods Association, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Visit Sarasota County, Rosemary Association, Sarasota Garden Club, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, North Trail Redevelopment Partnership, Sarasota Orchestra, Van Wezel Foundation, The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, The Players Theatre, Tahiti Park Neighborhood Association, and most recently the Sarasota Opera.

Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 leaders are continuing to meet with other community groups to inform them of the process and engage their participation as well. The Ringling College of Art & Design has submitted a letter of support and several other organizations have scheduled the topic for upcoming board meetings.

“Like many of the other arts organizations, we are bursting at the seams and looking to grow over the next few years,” said Monica Slater Van Buskirk, president and CEO of the Van Wezel Foundation. “While none of us know the outcome this process will produce, we know we want to be part of it in a positive, forward-thinking way,” she said.

The #CanYouSeeIt campaign will engage the public to enhance the vision. The campaign will unfold over the coming months. A series of events are scheduled for people to engage in this collaborative process. Two public forums are scheduled for October 27 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. and October 28 from 9 – 10:30 a.m. at the Sarasota Garden Club.

“The strength of this effort lies in the acknowledgment that no one organization has put their own efforts before the community’s need to get this right. We are all on board together to do what has never been done before. This is a once in a generation opportunity to leave a strong legacy for our children and grand children,” said Klauber.

For more information about the initiative and the public forums, visit www.sarasotabayfront2020.com.