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Community News Update
January 2026
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Dear Members, As we step into 2026, here is a quick update on several issues DSCA is tracking across downtown. Quick highlights - City Manager Search: 87 applicants narrowed to 42 semifinalists; commissioners plan to select about six finalists on February 10. Interim City Manager Dave Bullock is scheduled to depart March 6.
- Performing Arts Center: The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation released "Concept 2.0" and announced support from Van Wezel family heirs.
- Sound and Special Events Ordinances: The City is bringing in a sound consultant for decibel recommendations; the Special Events Ordinance returns to the City Commission on February 17.
- Downtown Master Plan Update: The City issued a consultant request on January 15; responses are due March 3; selection is expected in early April.
- Rosemary District: Parking and housing: An elderly housing project that includes public parking is moving forward; DSCA will share a fuller update as materials are finalized.
- DSCA Annual Meeting and "Resilient Residents" Town Hall: March 4
Full details on each topic follow below. |
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City Manager Search Moving Forward |
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The search for Sarasota’s permanent city manager is moving ahead with Sumter Local Government Consulting. The City Commission has narrowed the field from 87 initial applicants to 42 semifinalists. The consultant will conduct video interviews with the semifinalists. Commissioners will review those interviews individually. At a special meeting on February 10, the commission plans to select approximately six finalists and invite them to Sarasota for in-person interviews. The in-person process is expected to include one-on-one sessions with each commissioner, meetings with the City’s leadership team, a city tour, full commission interviews, and a public open house. A final selection will require a supermajority vote (four commissioners). The timeline matters because Interim City Manager Dave Bullock is scheduled to depart March 6, making this the City’s second interim manager since Marlon Brown’s retirement in October 2024. More: Your Observer coverage (Jan. 15, 2026) |
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Performing Arts Center: Van Wezel Family Joins Support |
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After the City Commission tabled the performing arts center proposal in March 2025, several new developments have emerged. In a significant development, the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation announced on January 8 that members of the Van Wezel family heirs have joined in support of exploring a new performing arts venue. The Foundation also released a revised proposal referred to as “Concept 2.0.” Full details are included in the attached press release.
The revised concept identifies a new potential location south of the 10th Street boat basin and a stated cost target under $300 million. The concept also contemplates associated parking at a level intended to be similar to the number of parking spaces that would be lost through the removal of most existing surface parking in the area. The Foundation has indicated that an updated design concept from Renzo Piano Building Workshop may be shared as early as February, with additional community engagement anticipated this spring. Shown below is a preliminary, rough concept illustrating a possible updated location for the performing arts center and associated parking.
Interest in this issue reflects broader changes downtown. Sarasota’s continued growth coincides with shifts in how performances are produced, with increasing reliance on digital scenery, advanced lighting, and immersive sound that are difficult to fully support in the existing Van Wezel facility, even with updates.
Important practical questions remain. The community will be presented with updated financial information as additional concepts are brought forward.
Even with near-term decisions, a new facility would still be several years away. As the City Commission considers next steps, DSCA encourages residents to follow this discussion and become involved as new concepts evolve and additional details, including funding, become available.
Foundation site: Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation
More: Your Observer coverage (Jan. 14, 2026) |
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Sound and Special Events Ordinances |
Sound Ordinance
The City Commission and staff completed a first reading of the revised sound ordinance on December 1, 2025. More recently, the City approved hiring a sound consultant to advise on daytime and evening decibel levels that are appropriate for downtown. After the consultant’s work is complete, the City Attorney’s Office is expected to schedule a second reading.
Special Events Ordinance
The first reading of the revised Special Events Ordinance occurred on November 17, 2025. Commissioners directed staff to evaluate alternatives to the original text. Staff are scheduled to return to the City Commission on February 17 as a continuation of the first reading.
City Attorney Joe Polzak will join DSCA as a guest speaker at the February 4 meeting to discuss the two draft ordinances and answer questions. |
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Downtown Master Plan Update The City released a request for firms to express interest in updating the Downtown Master Plan (last completed in 2000) on January 15, including corrections to an earlier version. Responses are due March 3, and the City expects to select a consultant in early April. An ad hoc Downtown Master Plan Committee, made up of local residents, has been helping guide the early stages of this effort. The committee met nine times between March 2025 and late 2025. Its work is currently paused while the City proceeds with acquiring submissions from firms. A date for the next meeting has not yet been set. Public involvement will be a central part of the development of the master plan update. DSCA plans to support that process by hosting workshops and town hall meetings so downtown residents can provide input as the work moves forward. So, what is a master plan in this context? Simply put, it is a long-range guide that sets a shared direction for how an area should grow and change over time. It helps inform decisions about land use (including zoning), infrastructure, public spaces, and economic development, and works best when shaped by broad public input.
Background reading: Comprehensive planning (Wikipedia) |
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Exploring New Public Parking for the Rosemary District
In a potentially positive step toward addressing public parking needs in the Rosemary District, the City has begun exploring options to expand public parking capacity as the district continues to grow. Public parking has increasingly been identified as an issue in the district, prompting the City to initiate a parking study to better understand current conditions and future demand.
The parking study concluded that approximately 216 additional parking spaces would be needed in the Rosemary District to accommodate future growth and activity. Based on this finding, the City and the Sarasota Housing Authority (SHA) discussed the feasibility of incorporating approximately 160 public parking spaces, provided through two full levels of a parking structure, on the Sarasota Housing Authority’s McCown Towers site, an elderly apartment development that includes ground-floor retail space. As envisioned, the public parking would primarily serve Rosemary District needs, while also providing selected overflow capacity to support activity at The Bay Park.
At its January 5 City Commission meeting, the Commission voted 4–1 to direct City staff to work with SHA to develop a more detailed parking plan. Once further information is available and a detailed proposal is prepared, the matter is expected to return to the City Commission for additional review and consideration. |
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DSCA Annual Meeting & Townhall |
DSCA Annual Meeting and "Resilient Residents" Town Hall - March 4 Please save the date for Tuesday, March 4. The afternoon will include: - Annual Members Meeting and Board Organizing Meeting
4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- DSCA Town Hall - "Resilient Residents"
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
At the Town Hall, we will share results from the DSCA 2025 Survey and hear from condo and HOA leaders who have navigated storm recovery after the 2024 storms. The goal is practical, actionable ideas as we continue repairs and as the City works on planning for a more resilient future. More details and location information will follow in upcoming communications. |
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The Bay Park Reaches One Million Visitors
On New Year’s Day, The Bay reached an important milestone with its one-millionth visitor—an early sign of the strong community interest in this “One Park for All.”
As the park continues to evolve, work on the new south seawall and floating day docks at the boat basin has now been completed. The City has installed ParkMobile stations in preparation for managed docking, and over the next few weeks fencing will be removed, allowing boat access to the park and strengthening connections between the site and the city. |
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DSCA January Board Meeting Wrap-Up |
As has been the recent practice, the January 7th DSCA Board meeting was held in hybrid fashion, both in person at the Broadway Promenade Club Room and via Zoom.
Guest Speaker: Jane Grogg, Director of Public Transit Full Video: Click Here Speaker Video: Click Here
Speaker Presentation Slides: Click Here |
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DSCA Board Meeting - Wednesday, February 4, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM | @ Zoom & Broadway Promenade, 1064 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Guest Speaker: Joe Polzak, Sarasota City Attorney |
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Joe Polzak serves as City Attorney for Sarasota, advising on governance, risk, and compliance. As a U.S. National Institute of Justice LEADS Scholar, he works with the Department of Justice on evidence-based programming for local government operations and community legitimacy.
A former felony prosecutor, Joe holds degrees from Florida State University (B.S. Political Science, magna cum laude) and Stetson University College of Law (J.D., International Law Honors). He has presented at national conferences including IACP, CIT International, and ICMA, and co-received the Sarasota NAACP President's Award for developing SPD's award-winning homelessness response program. |
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2026 CERT Summit Rising Resilience | Thursday, January 29, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | The Ora Event Center at 578 McIntosh
Road, Sarasota, FL 34232
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The Patterson Foundation is launching the inaugural 2026 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Summit: Rising Resilience, Ready Together, a regional gathering designed to strengthen disaster preparedness across the Suncoast. In response to growing risks from hurricanes, flooding, and rising sea levels, the Summit will offer hands-on training, plenary and breakout sessions, and opportunities for meaningful collaboration to reinforce the local CERT network. Featuring a keynote by former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, the event supports The Patterson Foundation’s Community Preparedness, Recovery, and Resiliency (CPR‑R) initiative, emphasizing long-term community strength before disaster strikes. Open to CERT volunteers, emergency partners, community groups, and residents eager to support their neighborhoods, the Summit reflects a core Suncoast truth: our region is strongest when we learn, connect, and prepare together.
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Thu, January 29, 2026 |
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | ZOOM
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There are ample opportunities for friction to develop between owners in a condo or HOA and the Board of Directors and management. This is because it is the Board and management which is charged by statute and the community’s documents with enforcing the covenants and rules and regulations, assessing the owners for community operation, collecting assessments from the owners, and undertaking repair and maintenance projects which often impact unit use, accessibility and sometimes occupancy. With this in mind, both the Condo and HOA acts provide procedures by which many of these disputes can be resolved outside of litigation or require ample notice and opportunity to cure before court proceedings can be initiated. In this Smart Board presentation, the Firm’s general counsel section will explain the procedures and how best to approach disputes to hopefully deescalate tensions.
Zoom Link: Click Here
For questions, contact: mcolburn@hilltannenbaum.com |
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Associate Members - Post your event on our DSCA Calendar to share with the community!
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Upcoming Community Events
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Pineapple to Plate: 5 Chefs - 5 Courses - 5 Points Park | January 20, 2026 | 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM | Selby Five Points Park |
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Pineapple to Plate: 5 Chefs – 5 Courses – 5 Points Park brings together five of the Suncoast’s most celebrated chefs for a five-course, open-air dinner under the stars at downtown Sarasota’s Five Points Park. Presented by Buzzed & Social and hosted by The Scout Guide Sarasota, Anna Maria to Boca Grande, in support of Sarasota-Manatee Originals’ Forks & Corks celebration, the event features dishes from top kitchens paired with Hartford Court Wines. This intimate, long-table experience celebrates Sarasota’s vibrant culinary scene, blending craftsmanship, connection, and conviviality in the heart of the city. Click here for more information. |
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38th Annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts
| February 13 - February 15, 2026 | 1718 Main St |
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The Big One! Downtown Sarasota's Main Street sees numerous events, fairs, festivals and fundraisers each year. Few, however, could boast the tenure or the stature of the Sarasota Festival of the Arts. The Festival will fill Main Street starting at Orange Avenue and heading east to Links Avenue. The overwhelming success of the Festival each year led to expanding and covering more than five city blocks with over 200 national and regional artists. The high level of artistic quality, the accessibility of the free, outdoor festival and the diversity of art has led to the Festival of the Arts' consecutive rankings among the top 100 art festivals in the nation, according to Sunshine Artist Magazine. Residents and visitors are invited to stroll amidst life-size sculptures, spectacular paintings, one-of-a-kind jewels, photography, ceramics and more from the 200 artists who are on site to discuss their inspirations and processes for each hand-made work. Parking is free and pets on leashes are always welcomed. Proceeds from the Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts benefits the Downtown Sarasota Alliance. Click here for more information. |
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Sarasota Farmers Market | Every Saturday | 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
One of the traditional weekly, year round events in Sarasota, you'll find everything from fresh produce, food, flowers and plants to arts and crafts, friends and fun, it’s a community happening! Gathering among friends and even bring your dogs to check out the fresh produce and other unique things to browse upon. Main Street and Lemon Avenue in downtown Sarasota. Click here for more information.
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