Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/211425
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND FUTURE FUNDS The Downtown Improvement District board may try to get funding assistance from the associations of the condominium complexes facing Five Points Park to provide new decorative lighting there. Photo by Norman Schimmel THE DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD PROVIDES MONEY TO A MERCHANTS GROUP FOR SEASONAL DECORATIONS AND PONDERS AN EXPANSION By Stan Zimmerman City Editor The Sarasota Downtown Improvement District (DID) board this week decided to give a loan to a merchants association to speed up the installation of decorative lighting in time for the holidays. The DID board is reviewing a proposal for $135,000 to put color-changing lights around 28 trees in Five Points Park. Meanwhile, the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association was looking at a $14,800 project to illuminate 22 trees with white lights along Main Street. At the DID's Tuesday, Nov. 12, meeting the board voted 4-1 (Dr. Mark Kauffman in the minority) to loan the merchants' group the We should fund the $14,800 money to get its lightamount to light up all of Main Street. We ing project done as can come back for Five Points later. quickly as possible. Tom Mannausa Member Downtown Improvement District Board "We just finished a fantastic streetscape and we need to attract