Sarasota Livin'

The Project for Public Space is compiling this list (that Sarasota is not on --- but I really think we could get there) ... Cool website with lots of information and info on why the best are the best...

Here is a link to the article by Dale White on page 1B in Sundays "Sarasota" section on the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

Joe Moraca (yes me) is quoted as saying "developers and neighborhoods really need to work together and not fight as adversaries." With more flexible regulations and neighborhood participation, the area could get some redevelopment that is innovative and beneficial. (talking about Arlington Park NA)

Great article that really captured the spirit on what went on.

I went to the Manasota Regional Neighborhoods Summit this morning not really knowing what to expect... I was very happy to find that it was the best neighborhood event I have been at. I will be writing more about this event as I digest it. If you missed this you really missed out.

The first session I attended was "Community Change, Redevelopment and
Infill" presented by Suzanne Gregory, Associate Director of SCOPE.



Suzanne is a great speaker and the study spear-headed by SCOPE is very well done and available on their web site.

Second was "Manasota, Growing Wisely By Design" presented by Dr. David Brain, Assoc Professor of Sociology at New College.





He talked about how cities are made up of neighborhoods and that zoning can be more of a problem than a cure. Neighborhoods are more of an ecology than an ordering of objects.

It was awesome having two local people with their skills working with us.

The keynote speaker John McKnight
the Co-Director, Asset-Based Community Development Institute at Northwestern University gave a talk that focused on neighborhood assets.

Look and what you have and use it. If you only look for problems .. that is all you have.

Many great examples and very inspirational.


Michael Raposa - Director of City of Sarasota Neighborhood Partnership Office, John McKnight and Rhonda Moraca president of Arlington Park Neighborhood Assoc.

Sarasota Success Connection Blog I keep finding Sarasota bloggers...

Sarasota Real Estate Blog

Another new blog about Sarasota. Gary Brey has a few good articles posted. Lets see how it progresses. No hidden agenda here, he is a top real estate salesperson.

Guess I missed this great travel article

in the New York Times - owner of the Sarasota Herald Tribune. Anne
Glusker had fun staying at the Ritz and hiting most of the best spots
in Sarasota.

Cooltown Studios is fast becoming one of my favorite blogs... I always find something I like. Downtown Sarasota is becoming a better place because of the mixture of entertainment, retail and I think residential development all going on making it more of a destination area.

CTS quotes Michael Beynard of the Urban Land Institute. This article goes into detail on some of the interesting things going on...

"Entertainment, culture, and education are being woven together. Retail entertainment is being combined successfully with cultural and educational facilities. Museums and performing arts centers are trying to adapt to decreased public funding and to the strong competitive pressures brought about by societal changes. Retail entertainment offers these institutions an opportunity to broaden their markets and compete more effectively for consumers’ time and attention in a crowded marketplace. In turn, cultural and educational institutions act as key anchors for retail entertainment destinations, providing the unique local character, cultural context, and educational aspects essential
for long-term project success."