Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/348392
board members bemoaned the fact that the department recently had been moving ahead on projects without giving the county advance notice. At least FDOT did want the commission to offer its views on the design of the wall, Harriott noted. The board also had the option of paying as much as $20,000 per panel for custom imagery, such as a series of rowers, given the proximity of the wall to the row- ing venue at Nathan Benderson Park, Harriott added. The latter idea drew no board support because of the expense. FDOT needs answers by Aug. 1, he said. The day before, County Administrator Tom Harmer told the commissioners he understood from Harriott "that this will be the first FDOT sound barrier in the county." It will be very similar to the walls along I-4 in the Orlando area, Harriott said. On July 9, Harriott showed the board members the exact location of the structure. It will be between North Cattlemen Road and I-75 from just north of the Fruitville Road interchange to a point approximately perpendicular to the southern edge of Benderson Lake. Residents of the Gateway Lakes apart- ments, located at 1000 Marlin Lakes Circle in Sarasota; the San Palermo condominium complex, which is just north of the apartment buildings; and other adjacent property owners A staff presentation to the County Commission on July 9 included information from the state about disadvantages of sound barrier walls. Image courtesy Sarasota County Sarasota News Leader July 18, 2014 Page 47