Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/235968
Sarasota News Leader January 3, 2014 The Sarasota County Commission takes some braking action June 10 on its proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) system, saying its wants a firm commitment from the Sarasota City Commission on either funding support and/ or a greater land-use density for the U.S. 41 preferred route. Otherwise, the commissioners agree unanimously, they are not certain they will proceed with even the first of three phases of a BRT system, as suggested by county staff during a board workshop. In his motion, Commissioner Joe Barbetta asks County Administrator Randall Reid to direct staff to complete the process it has been pursuing in earnest since January: to determine whether the county should apply for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding for BRT infrastructure along U.S. 41. Page 61 After struggling for years with the ornamental lights in the trees of Five Points Park, the Downtown Improvement District board admits defeat and decides June 11 to turn them off. The lights were wrapped around the upper limbs of 27 trees in the park; they could be programmed to change colors, adding a sense of gaiety to the green space in the center of downtown Sarasota. Tree limb growth led to broken wires, so city staffers advised the DID board to scrap the lights and start over. "The current system is not feasible," says Purchasing Manager Mary Tucker. "As we looked at this, the pricing you're looking at — $30,000 to $40,000 to fix them — and then $20,000 to $40,000 in annual maintenance, you'd be paying the replacement costs Orlando's bus rapid transit system is among those Sarasota County city and county commissioners have reviewed in discussions about a proposed Sarasota system. Image courtesy Sarasota County