A revised concept for a downtown Sarasota Performing Arts Center will come before the Sarasota City Commission on March 2 as a discussion item. DSCA has learned the new proposal is the direct result of extensive community input — including a presentation to the DSCA Board — gathered over many months in collaboration with key project partners.
The project’s most recent formal appearance before the commission was at the March 17, 2025 meeting, at which the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation and its representatives presented project details, designs, and funding plans for a performing arts center at the Bay Park. Commissioners engaged in substantive discussion before delaying a decision on an implementation agreement that would have allowed planning to proceed.
Concept 2.0 will be presented on March 2 and includes a performance hall of approximately 2,200 seats — down from the originally proposed 2,700 — along with a Flex Theatre capable of accommodating up to 300. The proposed location has shifted south of the 10th Street canal, and the target budget has been significantly reduced to under $300 million, compared to the original concept of $407 million.
Separately, while not a part of the Foundation’s concept, DSCA understands that the city has been working with the Bay Park on a parking solution that would provide roughly the same number of spaces as the current surface parking. That solution is expected to be part of the broader conversation as the project moves forward.
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko described the new concept to DSCA as “right-sized,” emphasizing that her team listened carefully to voices from the community and Interim City Manager Dave Bullock. With input gathered over many months, the revised concept is now being brought forward.
With many seasonal residents in town, March 2 offers a timely opportunity for broad community engagement on a project that could shape downtown Sarasota for generations. DSCA encourages all residents to follow developments closely and make their voices heard.
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation press release announcing the revised concept follows below.
Click Here To View Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Press Release
