Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/180498
Sarasota News Leader September 27, 2013 Page 62 to the intersection of U.S. 41 and Vamo Road Not every intersection on the highway has a — a high-traffic corner that does not have a signalized crosswalk, but that has not impeded the construction of sidewalks in the past, signalized crosswalk. she noted. "How would [a sidewalk in front "We don't want to install a sidewalk that [di- of the plaza] be different than other areas on rects] people to an intersection that creates a 41 that are a half mile from a signalized crosssafety issue," Mathes said. ing," Patterson asked. In an interview with The Sarasota News Lead- "This is a tough property to put a sidewalk, er, Mathes pointed out that Benderson does and I very much want to see redevelopment want to construct a sidewalk so long as the of that property. But this is almost like saying pathway leads to a safe crossing at U.S. 41 and there will be a perpetual gap," Patterson said. Vamo Road. Commissioner Joe Barbetta disagreed, saying Commissioner Nora Patterson told Mathes the sidewalk would create a "safety issue." his reasoning was not sufficient grounds for denying residents a sidewalk in that location. Barbetta also pointed out that if Benderson were forced to install the U.S. 41 sidewalk on "By that logic, all sidewalks on [U.S.] 41 are its property, "it could jeopardize the redevelproblematic," Patterson said. opment because it jeopardizes the parking." An aerial view shows the location of Pelican Plaza. Image courtesy of Sarasota County