At its March 2nd meeting, the Sarasota City Commission voted unanimously to move the Sarasota Performing Arts Center forward in its next incremental step. The vote advances conceptual design work and calls for updating the existing partnership agreement between the City and the Performing Arts Foundation, along with the development of an implementation agreement that will spell out specific responsibilities, funding commitments, and timelines for delivering the project.

Interim City Manager Dave Bullock reinforced that approach, encouraging the Commission to advance the design work in carefully staged steps — maintaining momentum while allowing for thorough review at each stage. The Performing Arts Foundation appears ready to match that pace, indicating it could return to the Commission with the next step in as little as six weeks.

The decision marks a meaningful milestone for a project years in the making. "As we go forward, I'm really confident that excitement throughout the community will grow," said Mayor Debbie Trice.

Before and after that vote, the Foundation has been bringing the community into the conversation through its Center Stage Conversations series. Just this week a downtown event held at Lefty’s Oyster House drew more than 75 attendees for an in-depth look at “Concept 2.0” — a substantially revised plan reflecting close collaboration between the Foundation, the City, and the Bay Park Conservancy. The updated proposal carries an estimated cost of $260–$295 million, features a 2,200-seat main hall situated at ground level south of the boat canal, andrelies on existing Tax Increment Financing revenues for its $88 million public share — with the Foundation committed to raising the remainder privately.

Another Center Stage event is being arranged for Downtown Sarasota.

Wednesday, April 2nd · 8:30 AM
First Watch, 1395 Main Street (or another downtown venue).

An informal morning event to hear directly from project leaders and ask questions about Sarasota's cultural future. Open to longtime supporters and those still forming an opinion.

Check the foundation's website for updates, due to expected attendance another venue is being sought: www.PerformingArtsFoundation.org

Performing Arts Center "Concept 2.0' Set For Public Debut