Ringling Boulevard could soon provide the connect the Legacy Trail to the Sarasota Bayfront by way of the heart of Downtown.

Sarasota engineers have studied the best potential pathways to provide a critical connection to a trail network that sees 350,000 cyclists roll through annually. Dan Ohrenstein, assistant city engineer, said there’s a number of options to join regional assets, but a plan that turns Ringling Boulevard into a “complete street” for pedestrians, cars and cyclists seems the one that can be forged the soonest. City officials would like to have improvements to the roadway completed by the time a Legacy Trail connection opens next Fall.

“It’s one of the great pieces, and one of the most interesting pieces, in bicycle planning in Sarasota,” he said. “What is the best way to connect the Legacy Trail to downtown?”

It’s not just a casual fancy. Increased shifts to multi-modal transportation methods in the community create a significant reason to connect the bike trails to the city core. Cyclists could bring traffic to local eateries and restaurants Downtown. The connection could also provide a long-desired improvement in connectivity between the commercial center Downtown and the tourist-attracting Bayfront, which become all the more of a draw as plans for The Bay come together.

Normally, a plan like that for the Ringling Boulevard corridor would have been presented in public meetings or workshops, but the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the normal process. Right now, the city is in the midst of an online survey gauging public opinion on a plan to put dedicated bike lanes on Ringling. Results will be accepted through Nov. 15. But a City Commission meeting on the plan in the future will have to serve as the public meeting on the plan.

The roadway notably has seen car traffic decline substantially in the past two decades. Traffic counts dating back to 2002 showed 12,000 to 14,000 car trips per day on the road segment. In 2019, before the pandemic, counts found traffic more in the neighborhood of 7,200 to 7,900 trips to date. Ohrenstein said the vast majority of traffic doesn’t use Ringling for more than a two-mile stretch.

Than calls for the complete street design on Ringling through Downtown until Pineaplle, at which point cyclists will be able to share lanes with cars during the slow-moving section of downtown. With a plan for a roundabout on 41 on the horizon, that provides the connection for cyclists to get to the waterfront.

There’s already cyclists using Ringling now, but improvements will likely increase the interest. And a connection to a popular trail network will make an easy downtown access for the close to 1,000 rider already frequently the Legacy Trail on a daily basis. 

Rendering courtesy City of Sarasota

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) - Florida Gulf Coast Chapter's biennial design conference has brought nationally- and internationally- recognized designers working at the cutting edge of the architecture profession to share their work with the local community for 32 years. And now, with the conference opening to virtual attendance, the conference plans on going broadening its bandwidth from local to global. Inspired by the topsy-turvey year of 2020, this year’s theme, Design With Vision, examines the various facets of “vision” —  including how vision and visualization shapes a project, architectural practice, and the role of architecture in the community. While our physical and social environments have undergone radical changes in recent months, the importance of having a vision has become more evident and crucial. Attendees will be able to listen to speakers from around the world speak on visionary topics, engage in follow-up discussions, learn about modern technology, infrastructure, ideology and administration that contribute to the making of great architecture.

This year’s six speakers hail from four different countries — including Shahjay Bhooshan, Senior Associate at Zaha Hadid Architects; Bradley Lukanic, CEO of CannonDesign; Takashi Fujino of Ikimono Architects; Rozana Montiel of Mexico City-based Estudio de Arquitectura; and Ron Rochon of Miller Hull Partnership. In addition to this exciting lineup of industry namesakes, Jonathan Glancey, Hon FRIBA — acclaimed British architectural critic, journalist, author, curator, radio and television broadcaster — will be the Design Award speaker and presenter at the ceremony, held at The Art Ovation Hotel, Thursday, October 29. SRQ checked in with Glancey, currently in the UK, on his thoughts about 'Design With Vision.' As the moderator for the Conference panel discussion on Saturday, October 31, also held at the Art Ovation Hotel, he will kick off the discussion topic with the prompt query, "What do we mean when we speak of ‘Visionary Architecture?'"

“Architecture ideals can be exciting and infectious because of the personal force/charisma of particular characters, because certain drawings/visualizations are highly charged and attractive," he says. "The buildings and cities we build that might look visionary (Venice, Manhattan skyline) have been shaped for the most part by pretty practical reasons. And, it’s here in practical, useful, everyday buildings, developments and cities that we can find the work of true visionaries, those who use design to raise standards for all of us. This kind of visionary design can be seen, experienced and created at any scale — from a door handle to a downtown block. It comes not from asserting an aesthetic/ideal, but from enriching what is there before our eyes.” 

The AIA Florida Gulf Coast Chapter will host the Sarasota Design Conference from Thursday, October 29 - Sunday, November 1, 2020. Register for virtual attendance and partake in online workshops, virtual tours, discussions and seminars at SRQDESIGNCONFERENCE.COM. Check out the full events schedule here. 

Read Jonathan Glancey's full bio here.

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast announces the permanent protection of 363 acres at the headwaters of the Myakka River in Myakka City. Seven creeks converge into one river, the Myakka, at the newly named Myakka Headwaters Preserve. “Safeguarding this rare property is essential to the health of everything downstream,” noted Christine Johnson, president of Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast.  “We are grateful for the Myakka River Land Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation for protecting these rare lands for people and nature. Our quality of life depends on it.” 

Click here for more information.

As a way to give back to the community on the most giving day of the year, the Tidewell Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce a Giving Tuesday Community Celebration featuring New York Times bestselling author and speaker Ben Nemtin. Sponsored by Lincoln Financial Group, this virtual event is free for the community and will take place from 9am-10am Tuesday, December 1.  Tidewell Foundation President Debbie Mason said. “This year has created a great distance in our lives beyond that of social connection. This Giving Tuesday, thanks to the Lincoln Financial Group’s support, the Tidewell Foundation invites people to reconnect with their dreams and the power inside that can transform barriers into opportunities." 

Click here for more information.

DOGPerfect is partnering with the Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC) to help prevent animal homelessness on the Suncoast. The locally owned pet retail company with stores in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and University Park will offer free Perfect Club memberships to all who spend more than $60 at ARC’s clinic through the end of the year. “We’re a proud supporter of the Animal Rescue Coalition,” said Fernando Carrera, Director of Operations at DOGPerfect. “ARC’s extraordinary work helps reduce the number of animals flowing into shelters so homeless pets already waiting have the time to find a caring home.”   

Click here for more information.

atering to the downtown lunch time and happy hour crowds looking for authentic, modern Mexican cuisine and street taco flair, El Melvin Cocina Mexicana is expanding its hours to include weekday lunch and daily happy hours starting Oct. 26. Lunch runs from 11am to 3pm Monday-Friday and Happy Hour, 3pm to 7:00 pm (Monday-Friday) and 3pm to 5pm on weekends. A new dinner menu is also in the works and planned to debut in early December. Mitch Good, co-owner of El Melvina Cocina Mexicana says, “We’re excited to bring an elevated, yet still casual and engaging approach to the food and social atmosphere that typifies the classic Mexican dining experience."

 

Click here for more information.

 Sarasota Memorial’s medical team honored interventional cardiologist Michael Mumma, MD, FACC, with a Lifetime Achievement Award at SMH’s annual medical staff meeting on Tuesday. “The practice of medicine is both an art and a science  – the ability to bring scientific principles to the art of human interaction,” said SMH cardiology chair James Fox, MD, before presenting his longtime colleague with SMH’s Lifetime Achievement Award on Tuesday.  “A discussion of Michael’s scientific abilities tells only half the story. Everyone has a warm personal story to tell about Mike. I believe that I share the same sentiments with the physicians and staff in this room and those throughout the department that we have all been lucky to know and work with this exceptional man.” 

Pictured: Cardiology leadership team, from left: James Fox, MD; Ricardo Yaryura, MD; and Michael Mumma, MD.

The holidays may look a little different this year, but it is more important than ever to support our local businesses.  On November 28, Sarasota will celebrate Small Business Saturday, and kick off the holiday season.   Even though the traditional Siesta Key Holiday Parade is canceled, they are still lighting up the Key with festive décor, a store-front and window decorating contest, and the tree lighting at the gazebo in Siesta Key Village.  Local businesses are encouraged to create their own holiday specials and activities, which will be promoted by the Siesta Key Chamber. A visit from Santa is being planned for Sunday, December 20, from 3pm to 5pm at a South Village location.  

For more information, contact events@siestakeychamber.com, visit www.siestakeychamber.com, or call 941-349-3800.

Click here for more information.

The secret is out -- niche online retailer JMX Brands, parent company of the largest online retailer of Amish furniture DutchCrafters, is a Best Place to Work in Sarasota-Manatee, according to the 2020 results of the annual survey competition that determines which participants are the best employers in Sarasota and Manatee counties. JMX Brands CEO Jim Miller said the company has worked intentionally since its founding to build “a robust and dynamic culture of recognition where employees are engaged and challenged, and where excellence is celebrated.” “I’ve often said that while our customers are extremely important, our employees are the most important people in our business.,” he said. “This recognition affirms that, as well as the responsive engagement of our employees.”  

Joseph McElmeel, Chairman and CEO of executive search firm Brooke Chase Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce the successful recruitment by its Executive Recruiter, Richard Miller of Jackie Adams as Industrial Engineering Supervisor for Smart cooling Products. 

Click here for more information.

Rejuvenate is your go-to guide for beauty and aesthetics in the Sarastoa, Lakewood Ranch, Englewood, and Venice region. 

Now available to view and download, Rejuvenate highlights medical spas and local treatment centers that practice the latest in scientific technologies and advancements in aesthetics.  

Click here to view the feature

Raleigh Mosely, Ariel Blue and Derric Gobourne Jr. each explore their artistic identity. 

Click here to read the full article in SRQ's November 2020 edition.