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Community News Update
June 2026
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Plenty is happening in our beautiful city. Karie Friling, our new City Manager, is now fully on board. DSCA looks forward to meeting her in person at our July Board meeting.
Our city manager and commissioners are facing real uncertainty for future revenue as statewide property tax reform is considered. DSCA is closely monitoring, as the impact will affect our quality of life downtown. Planning is critically important. To that end, DSCA has created a detailed, 50-page “briefing book”. The material covers major downtown issues and opportunities, trends, and policy considerations across a wide range of topics. Plenty of supporting data is also included.
DSCA accepted a community award from FPZA for the Overtown Square efforts. These efforts included many community leaders and organizations, including the Rosemary District Association, City Staff, Friends of Rosemary Park, DreamLarge, Kimley-Horn, RADD, and many other donors and contributors. What an amazing outcome!
The City appropriately paused the Downtown Master Plan (DMP). This pause will allow the new city manager and the DMP Ad-hoc Committee to ensure the right consulting partner is chosen and the approach is fully agreed upon. In the meantime, the Main Street Complete Streets design is still moving forward.
The City’s special events ordinance will come back to the City Commission on July 20th. DSCA is closely following the evolution of this ordinance as well as the Sound Ordinance.
Please note that the monthly DSCA board meetings are now held at 1350 Main Street. |
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Property Tax Reform and City Financial Uncertainty
Possible statewide property tax reform has added uncertainty to city budgeting and long-term capital planning. For background, see this recent Your Observer article.
That uncertainty does not eliminate the need to plan. In many ways, it makes planning more important. The city will need to evaluate service levels, infrastructure, capital projects, public safety, mobility, resilience, and quality-of-life investments with a clear understanding of priorities and financial capacity.
DSCA will continue to monitor this issue because the city’s long-term financial position directly affects downtown residents, city services, and the quality of life in Downtown Sarasota. |
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New City Manager Karie Friling to Speak at
July 1 DSCA Board Meeting
DSCA is pleased to welcome new City Manager Karie Friling as guest speaker at the July 1 DSCA Board meeting.
Her visit comes at an important time for Downtown Sarasota. The city is dealing with continued downtown growth, major capital decisions, infrastructure needs, mobility and parking issues, sound and quality-of-life concerns, Bay Park implementation, possible property tax reform, and the future direction of downtown planning.
DSCA looks forward to a constructive conversation with Ms. Friling and the opportunity to share a downtown resident and neighborhood perspective.
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DSCA Briefing Book on Downtown Sarasota |
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With recent changes in City staff leadership, including the arrival of new City Manager Karie Friling, DSCA prepared a knowledge book on Downtown Sarasota. The purpose was to provide City leadership with a clear resident and neighborhood perspective on Downtown Sarasota: where we are, how quickly downtown is changing, and the issues that will require continued City attention. This 2026 Downtown Briefing was also shared with DSCA members as a member benefit. The package included: - A 50-page Briefing Book covering major downtown topics, trends, current issues, and policy considerations;
- A separate Appendix with supporting data, charts, maps, and reference materials
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DSCA Accepts FPZA Award for Overtown Square
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On May 29, DSCA accepted a Grassroots/Non-profit Initiative Award from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association for the Overtown Square Pocket Park project in the Rosemary District.
The award recognizes a long-running community effort that began with DSCA’s early work in 2015 to identify the need for more public green space in the rapidly growing Rosemary District. DSCA members walked the neighborhood, reviewed city planning documents, photographed possible sites, and developed an initial citizen-led Pocket Parks in Rosemary District proposal. That proposal was presented to the City’s Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Board in 2015 and later submitted to the City Commission in 2016.
As the effort moved forward, the Rosemary District Association took a major leadership role in expanding neighborhood participation, supporting fundraising, and working with the City and other partners to help move the project from concept to reality. The City of Sarasota, RDA, Friends of Rosemary Park, DreamLarge, Kimley-Horn, RADD, residents, donors, and volunteers all contributed to the final result.
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Completed in 2024, Overtown Square now provides seating, landscaping, pedestrian connections, and a welcoming public gathering space in one of downtown’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.
The project is a reminder that neighborhood organizations can help create real and lasting public improvements. It also shows the value of persistence, private support, and constructive cooperation with City government. |
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A Question — What Do You Think?
When a development project complies with Sarasota’s zoning and building codes, it can either be approved administratively (“by right”) — signed off by staff without a public vote — or go through public hearings before the Planning Board and/or City Commission, where residents can comment and the body votes. Many cities reserve hearings for selected, typically larger projects while approving smaller compliant ones administratively. (Mandatory community workshops, where the applicant presents to neighbors, are a separate earlier step that can accompany either path.)
With that in mind: Do you support allowing significant downtown development projects that meet Sarasota’s zoning and building codes to be approved administratively (approval by right), or should they be required to go through public hearings before the Planning Board and/or City Commission?
- Strongly support administrative approval/approval by right
- Somewhat support administrative approval/approval by right
- Strongly prefer public hearings for all projects and approval by the Planning Board and/or City Commission
- Prefer public hearings for some projects and approval by the Planning Board and/or City Commission
- Unsure
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Downtown Master Plan Pause
The City Commission recently paused the Downtown Master Plan process and referred the matter to the new City Manager.
DSCA views this as an opportunity to step back and make sure any future downtown planning effort is connected to a broader city strategy. Downtown planning should include land use, zoning, mobility, parking, infrastructure, public spaces, storm resilience, tourism, the arts, and quality of life.
Downtown Sarasota has changed substantially since prior planning efforts were completed. A refreshed planning effort should reflect today’s conditions and the continued growth expected in the years ahead. |
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A Fresh Chapter for the City's Planning Board The city’s Planning Board has an opening. Dan DeLeo has stepped off the board, and Shane LaMay’s term is up, though it is not certain whether he will reapply. DSCA thanks Dan and the entire Planning Board for their hard work and dedication. The Planning Board is the city’s key advisory body, making recommendations to the City Commission on important policy decisions, and its members serve it diligently. Dan DeLeo, well known to DSCA and a recent panelist at our workshop, used his last Planning Board meeting on June 10 to thank his fellow board members and to share some reflections on the city’s development review process. His remarks touched on three themes: the neutrality of planning staff, the objectivity of their reports, and his ability to get “straight answers” to his questions. DSCA will be reviewing a transcript of his detailed thoughts. DSCA understands there are two or more applicants for the opening. Selections are anticipated at the City Commission’s July 6 meeting. DSCA encourages anyone interested in serving on this very important advisory board to make their interest known to the City Clerk.
Information about City Advisory Boards is available here. |
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Special Events Ordinance
The City’s Special Events Ordinance is expected to come back to the City Commission on July 20.
DSCA has followed this issue because special events are an important part of downtown Sarasota, but they also affect residents, condominium buildings, traffic, parking, sound, cleanup, public spaces, and overall quality of life. DSCA’s position remains practical and balanced. Downtown should continue to support successful public events, while also having clear rules, reasonable limits, and effective enforcement to protect downtown residents and neighborhoods. |
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Parking, Mobility, and Downtown Access
Downtown parking and mobility remain important issues for DSCA members.
The city’s paid parking changes are now becoming part of downtown operations. DSCA will continue to monitor how these changes affect residents, visitors, restaurants, cultural venues, employees, and overall downtown access. |
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DSCA June 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. Full Video: Click Here |
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DSCA Board Meeting - Wednesday, July 1, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM | @ Zoom & 1350 Main Condominium - 1350 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Guest Speaker - Karie Friling, ICMA-CM, City Manager |
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Karie Friling serves as City Manager for the City of Sarasota and brings more than 30 years of local government leadership experience. She is responsible for overseeing city operations, implementing the strategic direction of the City Commission, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality public services to the community.
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Prior to joining Sarasota, Friling served as Executive Director of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Illinois, where she led a regional agency serving more than 950,000 residents. During her tenure, she oversaw implementation of the District’s Master Plan, including a $120 million capital financing strategy focused on environmental resilience, sustainability, and public access.
Friling previously served as Village Manager for Homer Glen, Illinois, where she helped guide one of the state’s youngest communities through continued growth and long-term planning initiatives. She also served as Assistant Village Manager and Development Services Director for Orland Park, Illinois, leading major redevelopment, infrastructure, and economic development projects, including a $250 million mixed-use downtown redevelopment initiative. She began her public service career with the City of Peoria, Illinois, focusing on economic development, planning, and grant administration.
Throughout her career, Friling has overseen more than $1 billion in capital and infrastructure investments and has extensive experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, fiscal management, emergency management, and community engagement. She is trained in FEMA/NIMS emergency management protocols and has participated in regional response coordination related to severe weather and public safety incidents.
A Credentialed City Manager through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Friling is known for her collaborative leadership style, commitment to transparent governance, and focus on building strong organizational culture and community partnerships. |
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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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Juneteenth Arts Festival | June 19-20, 2026 | Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Downtown Sarasota |
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Celebrate Juneteenth with two days of free arts and cultural programming at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. The festival features live music, spoken word, dance, films, youth performances, art exhibits, workshops, and more. Festivities begin Friday evening with the opening of the Juneteenth Arts Gallery and continue Saturday with performances and activities for all ages. Location: 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
Admission: Free and open to the public
For the full schedule, visit westcoastblacktheatre.org. |
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Sarasota Key Quest Fest
June 27, 2026 | Downtown Sarasota
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Experience a unique day of music, food, and community at Sarasota Key Quest Fest, taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Bay Park. This interactive festival features themed stations, live entertainment, local resources, and activities designed to bring the community together in a fun and engaging way. Location: The Bay Park, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota
Admission: Free 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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