SARASOTA
Observer
CELEBRATION SHINES LIGHT ON EARTH DAY. 1B
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 11, NO. 23
MY VIEW
How to solve the traffic congestion
FREE
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THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015
IN THE ZONE
YOUR TOWN INDEPENDENCE DAY
Build an underpass at U.S. 41 and the Ringling Causeway. Courtesy photo
Abby Lipton
Courtesy rendering
ADRIAN MOORE
This conceptual rendering highlights the Urban Design Studio’s vision for townhomes on Siesta Drive, at th edge of the Granada neighbrohod.
OPINION
Everyone knows there is a major clot in the roadway arterials of Sarasota. But Sarasota city engineer Alex DavisShaw says, “You can’t build your way out of congestion. It’s going to take some congestion and some discomfort before people make a choice to do something other than get in their car.” To be sure, there are other sensible options than doing nothing. Indeed, it’s time for a radical long-term fix at the No. 1 choke points in the city of Sarasota: U.S. 41 and the John Ringling Causeway and U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road. The delays at those interSEE TRAFFIC PAGE 12A
Granada residents are focused on preserving the neighborhood’s old character as the city readies zoning changes.
DAVID CONWAY NEWS EDITOR
Karin Murphy and Andrew Georgiadis, the duo running the city’s Urban Design Studio, foresee a grim fate for Siesta Drive near Osprey Avenue if changes don’t happen. Considering the high-speed, heavily trafficked nature of the street today, the planning experts believe it will be difficult to produce attractive residential developments in the area. Further complicating the matter is the
minimum lot size for new homes in the area, which lends itself to the construction of McMansions. The area is already uninviting for pedestrians and cyclists, they say. Given the factors in place, that’s only going to get worse — homes along Siesta Drive will likely become walled compounds, making it even worse for walkers and inviting vehicles to travel at an even greater speed. “As walls go up on both sides, you’ve surrendered the street,” SEE GRANADA PAGE 3A
The families of Temple Emanu-El celebrated Israeli Independence Day, or Yom HaAtzmaut, Saturday, at the temple beginning, with a bagel breakfast. The children enjoyed time on the playground where they participated in an archaeological dig in the sandbox for Israeli coins. As with any birthday party, the children sang “Happy Birthday” to Israel and enjoyed cake. Guests also made blue-and-white beaded bracelets and learned two traditional Israeli dances from Rabbi Brenner Glickman.
ARTS+CULTURE
SOUN DIN G OFF
Q+A WITH ALEX DAVISSHAW 10A The city engineer discusses Sarasota’s ongoing traffic woes.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE ORCHESTRA The Sarasota Orchestra salutes American idols as it takes the field at Ed Smith Stadium.
BLACK Photo courtesy of Rich Schineller
The soundstage would provide Ringling College of Art and Design students the opportunity to work on more projects such as "The Lucky 6," a feature film shot on the campus in 2013.
As Ringling College of Art and Design works on a multimillion-dollar soundstage in Newtown, some residents worry about the project’s impact. READ THE STORY ON PAGE 6A.
TIE
‘THE CRYSTAL PALACE’
Princesses and storybook characters make dreams come true at Fairytale Ball.
INSIDE