Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/170820
Sarasota News Leader September 13, 2013 Beeman is opposed to paid parking downtown, but he thinks the city's initiative to set aside spaces for downtown employees for $10 a month might help alleviate some of the parking shortages. Anderson, the Mozaic co-owner, agrees that the city needs to work on parking, but he disagrees with Beeman on the approach. Anderson thinks meters on Main Street are a necessity. Page 30 Anderson also sees the need for a comprehensive plan that supports and encourages retail so shops can coexist alongside restaurants and nightlife downtown. The anticipated, and long-planned, Pineapple Square will give a boost to retail — if and when it is built, he added. "What we really need downtown is for Pineapple Square to open," Anderson said. "The few shops they've brought [such as Brooks Brothers and Sur La Table] are destination locations." In the meantime, the new bricks on Main Street are a welcome sight to Jeanne Katz, asCharging for parking only in the Palm Avenue sistant manager at Happy Feet Plus, located garage is not the way to go, Anderson added. at 1453 Main St. Tiered parking fees are one option, he said. "They are charging for less desirable parking," he pointed out. The city should first charge for the best parking on Main Street and make public garages more accessible, he said. Manuel R. Chepote, LUTCF Chepote Insurance Inc. 1300 Main Street • Sarasota, Florida (941) 366-0100 Serving Sarasota & Manatee Counties "We think everything looks great," said Katz. "We are looking forward to staying open for extended business hours now that our snowbirds are coming back," she added. % Auto • Home • Life Renters • Motorcycles Flood • Business • Annuities Financial Services Click for driving directions agents.allstate.com/manuel-r-chepote-sarasota-fl.html