Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/218481
Sarasota News Leader November 29, 2013 DID board members previously talked about joining forces with downtown merchants and condominium complex associations to raise $100,000 to hire a couple of off-duty Sarasota Police officers to patrol downtown and enhance security. Downtown Development Director Ron Gollub said he would take on that task. Page 47 don't do capital improvements, nobody will do it." OTHER ISSUES RAISED A host of other ideas were proposed. Gollub recommended bringing Five Point Park to life, restoring the benches and starting some event programming. The fourth priority by ranking was encourag- Board member Tom Mannausa suggested ing the public to come downtown. "We need replacing the sidewalks in the 1400 block to promote it so people can see what we've of Main Street. "From the former Patrick's done," said DID Chairman Ernie Ritz. Restaurant to the Gator Club, on both sides," he said. "Those are old and tired and can't be But not everybody agreed with that idea. cleaned anymore. They should be replaced." "I'm a strong advocate of infrastructure as opposed to advertising," said board member Board member Eileen Hampshire suggested Dr. Mark Kauffman. "Advertising should be flower baskets on light poles, as well as a comprovince of the [commercial] tenants. If we fort station for dogs. "We have a tremendous An aerial map shows the boundaries of the Downtown Improvement District in Sarasota. Image courtesy City of Sarasota