Master Plan for The Bay Approved by City of Sarasota

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved a master plan for The Bay, the community-driven redevelopment project for 53 acres of city land on the Sarasota Bayfront, at a special meeting on September 6.

The endorsement of a professionally prepared plan to transform this bayfront property into a sustainable cultural and natural oasis was met by cheers from nearly 300 people in attendance. It also validated a deliberate and thoughtful public-engagement process that challenged community members throughout the region to let their voices be heard and then made good on the promise to listen to and incorporate the community’s will into the plan.

Gulf Coast Community Foundation has provided quiet leadership throughout this ambitious process, and we remain committed to the significant work that lies ahead to fully realize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our region. 

“Confidence in a community-driven process”

According to a September 11 editorial in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, “The Bay master plan is an accurate, comprehensive reflection of the public comments made during a process of unprecedented length and inclusion — an effort that gained support from more than 50 community-based groups, ranging from neighborhood associations to business interests, and directly engaged tens of thousands of people.”

Gulf Coast has been a partner throughout, from the organic creation of the Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 stakeholders group in 2013 that catalyzed this effort through this month’s successful delivery and approval of the master plan.

At the City Commission meeting, Bayfront 20:20 chair Michael Klauber was joined by Gulf Coast’s Jon Thaxton in teeing up the presentation by professional design firm Sasaki and the nonprofit Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization (SBPO), which was created to turn Bayfront 20:20’s collective vision and principles into a financially feasible, operationally viable, and environmentally sustainable master plan for the property.

Klauber noted that Jon has “been part of this process since day one.” Speaking to the Commissioners himself, Jon said that in his four decades of public service, The Bay has been “the best process that I have been engaged in. We are a witness to history, and I am honored to have been part of it.”

Watch video of the full City Commission meeting here >> 

Read an op-ed from Gulf Coast President|CEO Mark Pritchett on the “unprecedented” community-engagement process >>

“Skin in the game”

Another hallmark of The Bay process has been community fund-raising to pay for the leadership team and planning and design work. “All of the philanthropy that helped us get here has come from people who want something really great,” said Klauber. “They proved their commitment with skin in the game.”

Last fall, the SBPO announced the successful completion of initial fundraising to secure the $2.1 million in private funding needed to ensure preparation and delivery of a world-class master plan. Nearly 60 donors invested in this planning initiative to reimagine Sarasota’s Bayfront, along with numerous local foundations. Gulf Coast’s Veronica Brady was a key leader of that yearlong effort.  “We are very grateful to all of our investors for supporting the future of our Bayfront,” Veronica said at the time. “This project has tremendous potential, and the success of this campaign will allow us to more effectively attract future investment opportunities for what’s to come along our bay.”

What's Next?

The Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization has proposed creation of a new nonprofit parks conservancy to serve as the City of Sarasota's partner in implementing The Bay master plan.

The purpose of the Conservancy would be to preserve, develop, operate, maintain, and, most importantly, help fund the new park on Sarasota Bay on behalf of the community as a public trust. The SBPO and City staff are now working on the governance structure, authority, and other aspects of The Bay Conservancy, which will require City approval.

In addition to the overall master plan, City Commissioners also approved proceeding with the first phase of the redevelopment project—a 10-acre area on the southern portion of the site to consist of a public park and recreation pier.

Envisioned as a hub for community activity, this area would include a linear public park, two pier structures extending into the bay, a kayak launch and enhanced mangrove inlet, flexible open space for events, food and beverage service, pedestrian bridges for access across US 41 and to the rest of the site to the north, and other improvements. Hallmarks of the proposed Phase 1 include an active waterfront, open views, pedestrian connections, and vibrant public space. While the entire first phase will take several years to build, planners see a portion of it—“Phase 1A”—possibly opening by 2020. Philanthropy would have a significant role in funding this initial work, which will provide opportunities to test various events to “activate” the Bayfront.