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Community News Update
October 2026
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Engaging Today. Shaping Downtown's Tomorrow.
Downtown Sarasota continues to evolve at a remarkable pace. New residential developments, infrastructure investments, cultural initiatives, and changes in City policies are reshaping our community. With this growth come both exciting opportunities and important challenges.
DSCA's role is to ensure that downtown residents have an informed, constructive, and respected voice in the decisions affecting our community. Whether the issue is transportation, development, public safety, noise, or quality of life, our objective is not to oppose change, but to help shape it responsibly.
Over the past several months, your Board has been working to strengthen DSCA as an organization, expand our relationships with City leadership and neighboring associations, and identify opportunities for greater member engagement.
Recently, the Board held a strategic planning session focused on DSCA's future. Our priorities include refining our mission and vision, strengthening governance, expanding membership, improving communications, and creating more opportunities for members to participate. Our goal is to build a stronger, more effective, and sustainable organization that represents downtown residents well into the future. We believe collaboration, informed advocacy, and constructive dialogue produce better outcomes for everyone.
This newsletter highlights several important issues, including the upcoming election, a 100-day update from our City Manager, Sarasota's evolving sound ordinance, new development activity, and significant cultural investments in our region.
I particularly encourage you to attend our November 12 seminar, "Navigating the New Sarasota," where we will explore how the current wave of construction and development will affect downtown living.
Finally, with the November election approaching, I encourage everyone to become informed and vote. Downtown residents have demonstrated an impressive commitment to civic participation. That engagement is one of our community's greatest strengths.
Thank you for your continued interest and support. Together, we can help ensure that downtown Sarasota remains a vibrant, welcoming, and exceptional place to live. |
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City Manager Karie Friling Releases Her First 100-Day Report
Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling has released her first 100-Day Report, offering a comprehensive look at what she has learned since taking office, actions already underway, and her priorities for the months and years ahead.
During her first 100 days, Friling participated in more than 350 meetings and conversations with City employees, Commissioners, neighborhood associations, business leaders, and community organizations.
The 23-page report, titled From Listening to Action, addresses a broad range of issues important to Sarasota residents, including financial management, stormwater and infrastructure, parks and open space, public safety, economic development, and community engagement.
Of particular interest to downtown residents are her recommendations for a more proactive economic development program, improved coordination of City planning functions, stronger neighborhood engagement, and a new City Strategic Plan built around a 25-year vision and five-year implementation program.
Friling also addresses the financial uncertainty surrounding Amendment 3, the demands placed on City employees following the 2024 hurricanes, and recommendations for improving City Commission procedures and governance.
With downtown Sarasota continuing to experience significant population growth and increasing residential density, the City’s strategic planning process will be particularly important. The DSCA expects to be actively engaged in that process, helping ensure that downtown residents’ perspectives are considered as the City establishes its long-term priorities.
We encourage residents to review the report for a better understanding of the direction of City government and the opportunities ahead.
Read City Manager Friling’s Full 100-Day Report — October 2026 Sarasota City Manager Issues First 100 Days Report |
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Downtown Sarasota: A Strong Record of Civic ParticipationDowntown Sarasota has a strong tradition of civic participation, and voting is an important part of it. In the 2024 General Election, Precincts 203, 205 and 209, covering much of downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, recorded combined voter turnout of approximately 86.6%, compared with 84.25% countywide. That pattern continued in the August 2026 primary, when the same three precincts recorded turnout of approximately 40.4%, compared with 33.28% countywide. Precinct 209 ranked third among Sarasota County's 98 precincts, with Precincts 203 and 205 also well above the county average. Our elected officials know that downtown residents participate, whether by voting, responding to City surveys, attending public meetings or becoming involved in neighborhood issues. With the November 3 general election approaching, DSCA encourages residents to become informed about the candidates and ballot measures, consider the issues most important to them, and vote. On September 16, the DSCA Board unanimously adopted a resolution recommending a NO vote on Florida Amendment 3, citing concerns about the potential long-term effects on funding for essential municipal services, particularly those affecting public health and safety. The Board also unanimously supported two Sarasota County conservation ballot questions. Read the DSCA Board's September Resolution Whatever your views on the candidates and ballot measures, downtown's tradition of civic participation is worth continuing. |
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Sarasota's Sound Ordinance Moves Forward
The City Commission held a special meeting on September 21 to consider revisions to Sarasota's sound ordinance, following extensive work by the City's acoustical consultants and considerable public input.
A citywide survey attracted approximately 1,500 responses, demonstrating the importance of this issue to residents and businesses.
The Commission addressed several important matters, including sound measurement procedures, enforcement provisions, and excessive vehicle noise. Among the issues discussed were allowing enforcement without requiring an individual citizen complaint and addressing excessively loud vehicle exhaust and engine revving.
As downtown continues to grow, achieving a reasonable balance between an active downtown environment and residents' quality of life remains an important consideration.
Further action on the ordinance and its enforcement provisions will be important to residents and businesses throughout the city.
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Three Joint Commission Meetings Address Regional Issues
During September and October, three joint meetings involving the Sarasota City Commission, Sarasota County Commission, and Longboat Key Town Commission have underscored the growing importance of regional cooperation.
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September 18 — Sarasota City and Sarasota County Commissions
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October 7 — Sarasota City and Longboat Key Town Commissions
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October 14 — Longboat Key Town and Sarasota County Commissions
For downtown Sarasota, these discussions are increasingly important. Transportation, stormwater, infrastructure, economic vitality, arts and culture, and many other quality-of-life issues do not stop at municipal boundaries.
Whatever happens with Amendment 3, the City, County and neighboring communities will continue to share many of the same challenges and opportunities. In many respects, we are in this together.
There are also new opportunities for cooperation. Both Sarasota and Longboat Key have new city managers, bringing fresh perspectives to longstanding regional issues. At the same time, there is increasing interest in expanded public transportation options, including microtransit and, over the longer term, the possibility of a water taxi connecting key destinations.
These discussions come on top of the continuing regional conversation about the quality-of-life and economic benefits of a new performing arts center and a new home for the Sarasota Orchestra (see related article). While these major cultural investments would be centered in Sarasota, their audiences, economic impact and importance to the region would extend well beyond the city limits.
As downtown continues to grow, stronger cooperation among the City, County and neighboring communities will become increasingly important. These recent joint meetings are useful steps toward recognizing that many of the issues shaping downtown Sarasota are, in fact, regional issues. |
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Sarasota Orchestra Shares Plans for New Concert HallAt DSCA's October 7 Board meeting, Gina O'Brien Finnegan of the Sarasota Orchestra presented a detailed overview of plans for the Orchestra's new concert hall complex on Fruitville Road, west of I-75. The proposed facility includes a main concert hall seating approximately 1,800 people, a smaller 700-seat performance space, and additional rehearsal and recital spaces. Some of these smaller venues are expected to be available for rental by music organizations throughout Sarasota County for public performances. Ms. Finnegan also discussed the Orchestra's plans for educational programs and community outreach activities, creating opportunities for residents not only to attend performances but also to participate personally in musical activities. Although an official completion date has not been announced, the Orchestra anticipates presenting programming in the new facility during the 2029 season. Regarding fundraising, Ms. Finnegan indicated that the organization is in the early leadership-gift phase of its campaign and has raised approximately $100 million toward an estimated project cost of $395 million to $425 million. The presentation provided DSCA members with an update on one of the region's major planned cultural investments. |
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Ritz-Carlton Residences Sarasota Bay Reaches Major MilestoneThe 78-unit Ritz-Carlton Residences Sarasota Bay at 555 Quay Commons is nearing completion, with final inspections occurring this week and a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) imminent. First closings and move-ins are anticipated within the next two weeks. The milestone is significant for downtown Sarasota as another major residential building moves from construction to occupancy, adding to the downtown population and continuing the transformation of the Quay. The adjacent 86-unit One Park is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2027.
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McCown North Apartments with Public Parking Move ForwardPlans for the Sarasota Housing Authority's McCown North development at 1300 Boulevard of the Arts reached another milestone on October 7, when the proposed project was reviewed by the City's Development Review Committee (DRC). The project includes 96 affordable senior apartments, approximately 5,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, and a proposed public parking component with 160 parking spaces intended to serve the growing Rosemary District. The development is proceeding through the administrative review process under Florida's Live Local Act. Consideration of the proposed public parking component, including potential City participation, is expected to come before the City Commission in the near future. The project also adjoins the City's planned Boulevard of the Arts Complete Street improvements, part of a larger transportation initiative supported by a $12 million federal grant and a planned $3 million City contribution. Coordination between the apartment development and the street improvement project will be among the matters to be addressed as planning and review continue.
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Rosemary District Association Community Meeting | November 17, 2026 | 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM | FogartyvilleThe Rosemary District Association (RDA) will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, November 17, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Fogartyville. The meeting offers residents, businesses, and others interested in the Rosemary District an opportunity to connect and discuss neighborhood developments and the area's future. Program details and guest speaker information will be announced at a later date.
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DSCA Seminar: Navigating the New Sarasota | November 12, 2026 | 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM | Sarasota Garden Club
Downtown Sarasota is experiencing a significant construction boom, with new apartment buildings, condominiums, hotels, and mixed-use developments reshaping the greater downtown area.
These projects bring opportunities for growth, but also construction-related disruptions and challenges involving traffic, pedestrian safety, noise, and neighborhood access.
How will these changes affect our daily lives? What are the implications for our environment and quality of life? And what will downtown Sarasota look like when this wave of construction is completed?
Join DSCA for an informative discussion about the changes underway and what they mean for downtown residents.
Come learn how to Navigate the New Sarasota! |
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DSCA October Board Meeting Wrap-Up |
The October 7 DSCA Board meeting was held in hybrid format, both in person at the 1350 Main Condominium and via Zoom.
Our guest speaker was Gina O'Brien Finnegan, Senior Director of Donor Engagement – Major Gifts at Sarasota Orchestra.
Ms. Finnegan presented an overview of the Orchestra's plans for its new concert hall complex on Fruitville Road, including the proposed performance spaces, community programming, project schedule, and fundraising campaign.
A summary of her presentation appears in the Arts & Cultural section of this newsletter.
Full Meeting Video: Click Here
Guest Speaker Video: Click Here |
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DSCA Board Meeting - Wednesday, November 4, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM | @ Zoom & Broadway Promenade, 1064 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236 |
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Bugs, Boards & Bottom Lines - How Pest Problems Can Impact
Your Property - And Your Budget | October 20, 2026 | 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM | Marina Jacks
For Property Managers (CAMS) and Board Members
Register Here
For questions, contact Michelle Colburn at mcolburn@hilltannenbaum.com
Hill Tannenbaum Attorneys at Law |
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Grey Matters Brain Health Seminar - Reversal, Treatment,
and Prevention of Cognitive Decline | October 23, 2026 | 2:00 PM - 03:30 PM | Alderman Oaks
SEMINAR PRESENTER
Ruth Ann O’Ski, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Discover an evidence-based approach to brain health and cognitive decline using Dr. Dale Bredesen’s protocols. KEY TOPICS
Brain Health • Alzheimer’s & Dementia • Measuring Brain Health • Prevention & Reversal • CMS GUIDE Program IN THE NEWS
Grey Matters Health was selected for CMS’s GUIDE dementia care model. Attendees may participate in a free follow-up cognitive assessment (MoCA). Register Here Questions: dfitts7@gmail.com Alderman Oaks Retirement Center
727 Hudson Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236 |
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Associate Members - Post your event on our DSCA Calendar to share with the community!
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- October 19 – November 1: Early voting, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.
October 22: Deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed, by 5 p.m. October 27: Recommended latest date to mail completed ballots. November 3: General Election. Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vote-by-mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m.
For early voting locations, polling places and additional information, visit https://www.sarasotavotes.gov. |
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Upcoming Community Events
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30th Annual Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival | October 17–18, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | Selby Five Points Park |
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Explore a vibrant collection of arts and crafts at the 30th Annual Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival! Located in the heart of downtown at Five Points Park, this outdoor festival offers a chance to browse creative works while enjoying the surrounding downtown shops, restaurants, and scenery. Click here for more information. |
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Boo! at The Bay | Family Halloween Celebration | October 17, 2026 | 05:00 PM to 07:45 PM | The Bay |
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Bring the family to The Bay for a not-so-spooky Halloween celebration featuring trick-or-treating, free pumpkin picking and decorating, yard games, food trucks, and a movie under the stars! Costumes are encouraged but not required, and pumpkins are available on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 1,800 children. The evening wraps up with a sing-along screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas from 6:30 to 7:45 PM. Admission is free. Free parking is available in designated nearby areas, though attendees are encouraged to arrive early due to other events happening nearby. Click here for more information. |
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“Echoes of Sarasota” Free Public Art Tours | October 20, 2026 | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall |
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Discover Sarasota’s cultural heritage through a free, docent-led tour of Echoes of Sarasota at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. This one-hour guided experience explores selected artworks that connect Sarasota’s history with its performing arts legacy, featuring works presented in partnership with Thomsen Fine Art and Arts Advocates.
The tour is open to all ages, and advance registration is recommended. Additional dates are available on select Tuesdays through April 2027. Click here for more information. |
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Taste of The Bay Presented by Sarasota-Manatee Originals | October 25, 2026 | 12:00 PM to 03:00 PM | The Bay
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Enjoy an afternoon of local flavors at Taste of The Bay, featuring signature dishes from Sarasota-Manatee Originals member restaurants, drinks, and live music by local favorite Kettle of Fish. Set against The Bay’s waterfront backdrop, this free community event brings together locally owned restaurants for a delicious celebration of the Suncoast’s culinary scene. Admission is free, with food available for purchase using tickets sold on-site in $5 increments. Food tickets and beverages can be purchased by credit card. Free parking is available nearby. Click here for more information. |
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"Best of The Bay" Music Fest | November 1, 2026 | 01:00 PM to
07:00 PM | The Bay |
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Celebrate the grand finale of The Bay’s month-long “One Park FOUR All” 4th Anniversary Community Celebration with a free, family-friendly music festival featuring some of Southwest Florida’s top regional talent! Enjoy live performances throughout the afternoon, from high-energy country and rock to folk, feel-good favorites, and soul and R&B from Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
Food trucks and special activities begin at 12:30 PM, with performances starting at 2:00 PM. Bring your family, friends, and lawn chairs for an afternoon of live music, food, and fun at The Bay! 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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We Are Downtown Sarasota!
Are your neighbors receiving our newsletters?
Help your neighbors stay informed about downtown developments, community issues, City activities, and DSCA events by forwarding this newsletter.
Click here to learn more about DSCA and subscribe to future updates.
If you missed a previous newsletter, click here to view past issues and share them with your condominium community. |
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