Letters to the Editor

+ Downtown pedestrian mall would be perfect attraction
Dear Editor:
Gil Waters and Brent Parker are out-of-the-box thinking visionaries regarding the pedestrian downtown mall and a downtown connection to the bay. Citizens and visitors want a pleasant downtown experience that offers green park beauty and gathering areas with comfortable benches, water and bathroom facilities. This is an open invitation to linger much of the day and enjoy a meal while shopping.   

Over and over, citizens choose quality of life as the reason they come to Sarasota. The pedestrian mall is the perfect win-win situation for downtown businesses and citizens — another pleasant place to spend money.

This was successfully accomplished in Denver and in Boulder, Colo., to mention only two. Crowded always, these walking malls are full of people spending money and enjoying themselves. Buskers and musicians entertain people. Outdoor restaurants and ice cream parlors add further reasons to remain downtown. Bicycle surreys pedaled by young men for tips can transport people who prefer not to walk.  Co-mingling in the mall makes for harmony among people.

Add beauty and entertainment value to the downtown and it will prosper. Let’s get this done. Green walking places downtown lead to green profits for our business owner and taxes for our city.

An aside is that the parking meters are very non-user-friendly and annoying. Perhaps an understandable idea in these revenue deficit times, but a deterrent to going downtown. Abolish them, City Commission, or at least allow for the purchase of year-long passes for a fixed fee.
Ronald L. Riffel
Sarasota

+ Pedestrian bridge could be its own destination
Dear Editor:
The rendering of the proposed pedestrian bridge to the Sarasota waterfront lacked charm, looking rather like something joggers would like to get behind.

Certainly, with the beautiful views it will present, more can be done. We could have small rest areas, with benches, perhaps lemonade or gelato stands or other tiny shops, bits of landscaping, areas of shade (or a refuge from the rain). It should be a destination in its own right, something visitors won’t want to miss, not just a means to arrive at a destination.   
Noralyn Marshall 
Longboat Key

+ Expand Goodwill where it is now
Dear Editor:
The corner of Mecca Drive and North Tamiami Trail has experienced a long-term trend toward upgrading hospitality businesses. I feel this is beneficial in that the area is a visible gateway to Sarasota.

The North Trail redevelopment, including the new mini Walmart further south at Myrtle Avenue, is envisioned to serve area residents, specifically those living east of the trail who do not drive. It is known that Wal-Mart was encouraged to take over the Winn-Dixie store because it would continue to serve neighborhood residents. Businesses on all four corners of this intersection serve this local resident market as opposed to the hospitality market. I see logic in the existing Goodwill store expanding at the current location rather than relocating and building new further north.
R. James Beam
Sarasota