Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/316941
Some downtown advocates have called for the relocation of the bus station from Lemon Avenue because they say it is not the best use of a prime location across from the Whole Foods market and City Hall. The downtown station also appears to have outgrown the site: It cannot accommodate the county's longer Express buses. During a February County Commission discussion, Glama Carter, director of SCAT, said of the Lemon Avenue station, "It does work, but it is a very tight site." The new station, which would cost an esti- mated $2.2 million, would accommodate three more buses than the seven that can squeeze into the Lemon Avenue facility at one time. Additionally, a staff lounge and public restrooms would be built inside the garage. Gable said a similar project was constructed in Collier County next to a parking structure. (See the image accompanying this article.) The Collier station's bus lane can handle six vehicles at one time. THE NEXT STEP Commissioner Joe Barbetta, who has advo- cated for the move, voiced approval of the preliminary design. He added that the reloca- tion would promote private development in downtown Sarasota. Barbetta and other proponents of the facility's relocation have pointed out that revenue from the sale of the Downtown Core-zoned prop- erty on First Street and Lemon Avenue could be used to partially fund the new station. "I think it would work great all-around," Barbetta said. "There is no doubt we have outgrown the old location. There was a slight accident there the other day [that] I came upon." The downtown Sarasota County Area Transit station is located at the intersection of Lemon Avenue and First Street in downtown Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel I would like to see more public input on it and a public workshop. Scott Whiterell Chairman Sarasota County Citizens Advisory Committee For Public Transportation Sarasota News Leader May 23, 2014 Page 23