Sarasota Livin'

WorldChanging website has an interesting article that captures one of the ongoing arguments that float around in Sarasota and I "assume" many other places.

Is density a "green" or "dirty" word..... I am a real believer that in urban / transit suitable sites it is a very green thing. I think a downtown and it's associated transit stops are "the" place for density. I could see major stops along US 41 / 301 are the places to allow increased density to create the numbers to support a real bus system that runs frequently and past dinner time.

The latest piece to kick up some dust is a report from the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, which, as reported by Reuters, says

"Green" construction could cut North America's climate-warming emissions faster and more cheaply than any other measure...

Elsewhere, people reaffirm that North Americans' best bet for carbon reduction is walking and taking transit, while others (often including myself) think density is the best lever, if we have to pick one with which to start.

We were in Orlando this weekend attending BarCampOrlando which was very cool ... it's an "un-conference" with a day of developer stuff and a day of "media" topics.

Really liked walking around downtown Orlando ... lots of food and bars ....

PublicMarkup.org is working on a model to write federal legislation in an open manner. Go to the site and read / comment on the wording...

It think a simple rule would be no government ordinance / rule / law / contract should be approved without it being available to the public for at least 48 hours (how about a week) ..... would the world be worse off if there were no late night deals ....

Open source works great for software .... just ask google ... and this and most blogs and really most stuff you see on the web runs on "open source"

If you were asked to describe 5 things you would want to see happen in downtown Sarasota what would they be? How long would you think about it .... well I have been asked ... and I spent a fewminutes to think it over and this is what I came up with.

• Vibrant downtown business community with enough business and people to support it
• More transit options (more frequent small buses and better bike lanes) into downtown to encourage a more pedestrian friendly downtown
• Better access to the bayfront -- remove surface parking to allow for better uses
• Strategically located parking garages / valet services -- move away from surface parking lots (keep street parking)
• Better use of current parks / pubic space. More flexibility to allow different types of green / people spaces. With a focus of making these public areas useful for public use / interaction. -- lots of shade and seating options.

So that's my list what is yours?

I can't see anything more important for downtown than there really being a downtown. I want vibrant shopping / commercial / residential / cultural / bookie / nightlife / foodie / party / fashion stuff going on. There should always be people walking around - you can't support "downtown society" without lots of people. If we can get this the other things will follow. You can't have transit without people to use it.

I really think the surface parking we have at Marina Jack's and even at the "cultural district" on the bayfront are colossal wastes of some of the best land in downtown. Those spaces are ripe for more useful "third spaces" where people are encouraged to "hang out" and have fun.

We all love the sea turtles ... now you can get some exercise and help them out. The great folks at Mote Marine are sponsoring the:
22nd Annual Run for the Turtles
Supporting Sea Turtle Conservation and Research
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Day of Race
6:30 a.m.: Registration Begins at the Siesta Key Gazebo, south of the pavilion
7:30 a.m.: 1 Mile Fun Run or Walk
8 a.m.: 5K MTC Sanctioned Run

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Please help him!!!

Sarasota was a fun place to be this weekend .... but I think the 13th Annual Giving Hunger The Blues show was a great time!! Fun bands and cold beer ... and close to my house...

I did a quick ride through on my bike of the 2008 Embracing Our Differences show at Island Park on Sarasota Bay -- very cool...