One commissioner had some reservations
By Della Hale
Original Air Date: October 2, 2024
Host: If it happens, a new performing arts center would be the most expensive project in the history of the City of Sarasota. The project took another step closer to becoming reality this week, and our reporter Della Hale has the details.
Della Hale: Plans for a new performing arts center have sparked significant debate, drawing attention from the community. During a workshop on Monday, the city commission reviewed proposals, covering everything from the building’s design to parking logistics. Renzo Piano and Sweet Sparkman Architects, the firms behind the design, participated in the meeting both in person and via Zoom, providing insight into their vision for the center.
Jennifer Jorgenson, the foundation’s Government Affairs Manager, opened the meeting with an overview of the project’s concepts. She highlighted key features of the performing arts center, noting its potential to become a cultural landmark. Following her presentation, Tania Castroverde Mosalenko, CEO of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, delivered a speech underscoring the “legacy” the new center aims to leave for future generations.
A key point of contention has been parking for the planned three-theater venue. Currently, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center accommodates 850 vehicles for its 1,700-seat theater. The new complex offers more seats than the Van Wezel but offers relatively fewer parking spaces, raising concerns about the lack of parking space. Residents and at least two commissioners worry that the center’s plan to accommodate only 1,100 vehicles will fall short, given the venue’s potential to host up to 6,000 people when all three theaters are in use, plus additional events in an outdoor festival space.
Rendering of the ground floor
Ahead of the workshop, critics pointed out perceived shortcomings. In an email, attorney and former city commission candidate Dan Lobeck mentioned parking, ticket pricing and space. Commissioner Debbie Trice reflected some of these concerns.
Debbie Trice: Well, I had some time to think about some additional details and hear from the public, and my first concern is with the location of loading docks and truck access. I really don’t see where that will be possible. I remember with Hamilton at the Van Wezel, there were, I think, seven tractor trailers. So, it’s the combination of how they’re going to unload and reload, and I don’t really see adequate street access to the multiple performance spaces. So that’s a concern.
The other concern I have is about the lobby building, in terms of … we talk about the bottleneck of getting out of the Van Wezel parking 
lot, but 2,700 people arriving or departing at the same time through that lobby building, aren’t we creating a different kind of bottleneck? We’ll handle the parking, but what about people access? I like obviously the idea of the raised structures both for visibility and sea level rise, but how are those 2,700 people going to get up to the lobby building and back down? Are there going to be exits from the large performance space that they can go through? But again, it’s a question of getting up and down and how long does it take to get 2,700 people up and down? Are we going to have huge elevators? What’s the deal? So those are two of my biggest concerns.
DH: Trice also said she was concerned about planning for a smaller, second theater while the future of the Van Wezel has not been resolved.
As to parking, the current plan includes leasing a parking lot on 9th Street, about a 10-minute walk from the complex. While this may accommodate some visitors, critics argue that the distance is inconvenient, especially for elderly or disabled patrons. Furthermore, the logistical challenge of managing transportation for thousands of people with only 1,100 spaces remains unresolved. City Manager Marlon Brown said the proposed number of parking spaces is OK, and asking for similar parking as for the Van Wezel is “archaic”.
Marlon Brown: Just think about where we’ve come in a short time in terms of ride share, types of alternatives to individuals just driving their own vehicles. We talk about water taxis. So there are a lot of things that, when the Van Wezel was built, that we didn’t even think about or have. And so individuals were wedded to their car. And so I think things are changing, demographics are changing, and the way how we travel, that’s changing as well. And so the need for 1,400 parking spaces, 2,000 parking spaces, I think is archaic. It’s old. I think we need to think modern and I think when we — and I understand that we may not be one of these urban areas, but I think people are getting used to using alternatives as a means to getting around.
DH: To address space concerns, the architects’ current proposal involves narrowing the 10th Street traffic circle and utilizing other public road space to incorporate the new complex. The proponents claim that the street is larger than necessary and that reducing its width would have little impact on traffic flow. They also plan to apply for a right-of-way vacation, which would effectively turn that into private property owned by the performing arts center. This aspect of the plan has raised further questions about how such a move could affect the surrounding community and access to the area. When the discussion turned to the implementation agreement between the private non-profit and the city and funding, the foundation said that, as of now, there is no budget or specific plan for funding the project. So far, the foundation has provided an estimate for ticket prices.
The Foundation will need to finalize its agreement with the City of Sarasota by the end of November, but it appears that they are not yet prepared to move forward with concrete financial details or construction timelines. As the project faces increasing scrutiny, it remains to be seen whether the plans for the performing arts center will be adjusted to address concerns, as the architects suggested during the workshop.
This has been Della Hale, reporting for WSLR News.
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