I attended the Sarasota City Commission meeting last night.  I was there to speak in favor of the School Ave Project. 

But the vote that made the news was about giving the city police the ability to impound cars with "loud" stereos, drivers that "know" their license is suspended or for leaving the scene of an accident.  There were only 2 people signed up to speak and they where both against it .....   Commissioner Atkins was great with his booming NO vote -- and I agree with him --  read about it in the Sarasota Herald Tribune first red herring --- what is this new law going to accomplish except make a few people feel good that they "did something" about a "problem" -- now I admit I am not very well informed about this issue -- I hear some loud music around my house but it's the neighbors playing music (wild piano player!) --  I will also admit I don't like to hear loud "vulgar" music in the open (even thought I have a few of those CD's...) -- but what I do know is we don't need more rules that we specifically ask the police to enforce with "discretion"

The real big "red herring" was about the School Ave Project while it was very understandable that the hearing was extended because there were lots of people signed up to speak... I think it is just a real stalling strategy to try to avoid the approval until a new implementing zoning district can be developed.  What does this accomplish except stall the project?  Either vote yes or no.  Most people think that the "charrette plan" is a good one -- I agree the exact details are "fuzzy" but as a concept I think a fair person would agree it is understandable and reasonable for that specific property.  So creating a new zoning district that would "implement" the "charrette plan" and be used for this property seems to just extend a 3 year process for at least another year.

I think the "planning board" recommendation should be approved Wednesday evening.

I went to my first Sarasota Bradenton Digital Photographers Meetup it was fun -- Thanks Tori !!

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 ....

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.