Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/170820
Sarasota News Leader September 13, 2013 Page 29 "Once it is all finished and we get into season chants say the wider sidewalks and bulbouts and all the restaurants have their tables out, do not address downtown's most pressing this is going to be a dynamite street," Court needs. said. Brian O'Connell, owner of Hodgell Gallery on John Anderson, co-owner of Mozaic Restau- Palm Avenue, pointed out that the big probrant and a proponent of the lower Main im- lem is downtown does not have enough retail provements, pointed out the sidewalk area shops. Specifically, what it needs are areas was not accommodating for outdoor seating zoned for retail merchandise, which would before the project began, because motorists create blocks to entice shoppers, O'Connell would pull in to park right next to the side- said. walk. Drivers' quick movements often pro"They didn't develop downtown properly for duced scary experiences for outdoor diners retail," Hodgell noted. "That's the story — not adjacent to the parking spaces. how wide our sidewalks are or how beautiful The combination of the new sidewalk and par- the trees are." allel parking is more welcoming for patrons The city and county also need to spend more enjoying meals al fresco — and safer, he not- on marketing downtown to tourists, O'Connell ed. suggested. Anderson is designing an outdoor café area in "The other counties are spending much more front of his restaurant; he hopes to add six or on that," he said. eight tables in the space — a new feature for Ron Kennedy, co-owner of Kennedy Studios at his restaurant. 1472 Main St., said that although the sidewalk The wider sidewalks will favor pedestrians, facelift is an improvement, he has concerns not cars, Anderson added. about the city keeping up the maintenance. "It will be a more desirable area for people The brick pavers disguise stains and dirt betto enjoy on foot," he said, concurring with ter, Kennedy said, but they still need to be Court's sentiment. pressure-cleaned regularly, and the city has Some merchants were opposed to the side- had problems recently trying to retain a conwalk widening because of the loss of parking tractor to spruce up the sidewalks. slots, but Anderson agrees with Court. "I've been on a two-year mission to get the "The loss of some spaces is a small conces- sidewalks cleaned," Kennedy added. "The city sion to make downtown more walkable," An- goes with the low bidder, and [the contractor] can't do it, and the city fires that contractor derson said. and tries someone else." OTHER NEEDS Parking also remains one of the biggest isAlthough the facelift is making downtown sues downtown, especially during peak tourist more pleasant for pedestrians, several mer- season.