Decision to forgo a downtown conference center, for now, makes sense.
Last week the city commissioners voted 4-1 against plans for the development of a downtown convention center. I think is an unfortunate decision but, economically might have been too difficult for the city to maintain over the long run. It’s really too bad because, the downtown area needs foot traffic all year round . For instance, if you were downtown Sarasota today you’d see people litterally everywhere. Whether sipping cappuchinos at Cafe Epicure or having lunch outside on the side walk at C’est la Vie the downtown is buzzing with activity. But once the tourists leave in April there’s a noticable decrease in activity and, a convention center would be a boost in providing a constant stream of people flowing up and down mainstreet.
Below is an article posted in the Herald Tribune detailing the decision making process.
Sarasota’s lofty hopes for a Palm Avenue redevelopment project sank to the merely practical this week: City commissioners chose to build a parking garage with a dab of retail, and reserve the rest of the site for later sale to hotel developers.
It’s a defensible decision but also a sobering sign of economic comeuppance in this once-booming downtown.
Past concepts for the city-owned parcel had featured impressive, complex combinations of residential, commercial and hotel space, wrapped around a parking garage. But all of those public/private proposals — unfolding over nearly a decade — failed to launch, for various reasons.
Now, the market for downtown space has fallen; there is less tax revenue to invest in public/private partnerships; and there is little confidence that any project can succeed — or even secure financing.
Given these realities, it is not surprising that city commissioners voted for a doable parking garage rather than more appealing but iffy alternatives.
Keeping the option open
One of those alternatives was a proposal to build a conference center, hotel and parking garage on the 2.25-acre Palm Avenue site. Commissioners did not approve it, but their 4-1 vote for a garage also specified that consideration of a conference center — elsewhere downtown — should continue.
That keeps the idea alive, which is appropriate. Though a conference center has its pros and cons, and could be difficult to finance, its potential to generate jobs qualifies it for priority debate in this time of high unemployment.
Taxpayers — who, if they support it, would help fund a conference center — must be kept informed. Updated feasibility and marketing studies should be brought forth.
On a much smaller scale, a garage can also stimulate the local economy. Downtown businesses have long clamored for more parking space. Building a garage now can take advantage of a temporary drop in prices and put some people to work (as Commissioner Richard Clapp pointed out). City staff also contended that greater parking availability could entice new development. And, assuming the other half of the Palm Avenue property is ultimately sold and developed, the project would then provide the “mixed-use” impact the city desires for the site.
Design and security are critical
Valid concerns have been raised about what happens in the meantime, though. As local observers told commissioners, the garage could end up being underutilized. The empty half of the property could drain vitality from Palm Avenue. The retail space that is supposed to line the bottom exterior of the garage might be difficult to lease or sell.
The city plans to guard against these possibilities by using good design. Officials should insist on a safe, aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly and well-lighted garage. Ideally, the retail space also would serve as a crowd magnet, providing “eyes on the street,” particularly at night. This would enhance security.
The project is not ideal, but by most indications, it is needed. A parking garage near that locale has long been a part of official planning efforts.
It may have none of the “wow” factor that marked previous proposals for the site. But those all failed, whereas this plan has a better chance of becoming reality — an attractive, well-used one, we hope.