Business leaders push for a seat at the ad hoc committee table
By Dayana Melendez
Original Air Date: September 13, 2024
Host: Downtown Sarasota’s future is taking shape, and the decisions being made now could transform the heart of our city for years to come. On Monday, the Sarasota City Commission gathered for a special meeting to discuss the Downtown Master Plan, and how to bring fresh ideas to the table through an Ad Hoc Committee. With strong opinions and a clear call for collaboration, the debate was anything but routine. Dayana Melendez reports.
Dayana Melendez: It was a morning charged with vision and passion at Sarasota’s City Hall on September 9th, as the City Commission debated the future of the city’s downtown. The meeting was packed with bold ideas and fierce advocacy from Sarasota’s most invested stakeholders. At the heart of it all was the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee that will play a pivotal role in updating the Downtown Master Plan—a blueprint for downtown Sarasota’s growth.
The committee’s purpose? To ensure that as Sarasota grows, downtown remains the vibrant, dynamic core of the city. City Manager Marlon Brown set the tone early, emphasizing that the right mix of voices would be crucial in creating a master plan that’s not just theoretical but responsive to real community needs.
Marlon Brown: This committee isn’t just a formality. We need the people who know downtown best to help guide this process, because the decisions we make now will shape Sarasota for decades.
DM: The public comment period brought on a firestorm of critics, none more forceful than Chris Voelker, representing the Downtown Improvement District. Voelker passionately argued for the inclusion of D.I.D. members on the committee, reminding the Commission of the millions of dollars and countless hours property owners have invested to make Sarasota what it is today.
Chris Voelker: Let me remind you, the D.I.D. was born in 2008, in the depths of a financial crisis. While the city was struggling to maintain basic services like cleaning sidewalks, we—downtown property owners—stepped up. We voluntarily taxed ourselves, pouring $800,000 every year back into downtown. That’s commitment. That’s dedication. This isn’t just about business; it’s about preserving Sarasota’s future.
DM: Businessman Ronnie Shugar echoed Voelker’s plea, bringing his own perspective as someone who has poured millions of dollars into revitalizing downtown Sarasota.
Ronnie Shugar: When I moved here, I believed in Sarasota, in its potential. I’ve invested in dilapidated properties, turning them into vibrant hubs of activity. But without a strong voice on the Ad Hoc Committee, how can we ensure that those investments continue to benefit the community? We need the right people on this committee—people who live, breathe, and believe in Sarasota’s future.
DM: The call for collaboration wasn’t limited to business owners. Bill Waddill, an expert in public engagement, weighed in on the importance of selecting experienced and committed stakeholders for the committee. His message was clear: the success of this plan depends on those who are not just willing to show up but willing to do the work.
Bill Waddill: This isn’t just about technical expertise. Sure, we’ll hire consultants, but what we need are stakeholders who are ready to roll up their sleeves, commit to this process, and represent the community. This committee will need to meet regularly, participate in the selection of consultants, and help steer the downtown vision for the long term.
DM: The meeting wasn’t without tension. The push to include diverse voices—residents, business owners, and others—highlighted the complexities of planning a downtown that serves both locals and visitors. City Manager Brown wrapped up the session with a reminder that the committee must represent all those with a stake in downtown’s future, calling for a spirit of compromise.
Marlon Brown: We’ve heard a lot today, and there’s no doubt this process will require collaboration and compromise. But if we get this right, Sarasota’s downtown will remain a shining example of what a city can achieve when its community comes together.
DM: With the Commission set to finalize the Ad Hoc Committee in the coming weeks, downtown Sarasota’s future is about to be reshaped, and those who are most invested in its success hope to have a seat at the table. As the city grows, the choices made now will ripple through the community for generations to come.
This is Dayana Melendez, reporting for WSLR News.
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