Gulf Gate gets go ahead

Sarasota County Commissioners at a regular meeting yesterday voted unanimously for Sarasota County Public Works to move forward with the Gulf Gate Library project after seeing the initial design concept.

Sarasota County Library System Director Sarabeth Kalajian and representatives from Harvard Jolly Inc., the architecture firm overseeing design, took questions from commissioners regarding renderings of the new Gulf Gate Library.

Commissioner Nora Patterson had some concerns about the lack of shady areas on the exterior and the potential costs of maintaining a structure with such a modern design. But commissioners came to a consensus in support of the project renderings and applauded the public involvement stakeholders have fostered.

There will be a public meeting Aug. 9 to reveal interior fixtures and finishes, Kalajian said. Sarasota County will decide on a final design in January 2013 with construction starting the following month. A grand opening is scheduled for May 2014.

The county already has a little more than $3 million appropriated for the $10 million project and the remaining amount earmarked in the 2013 fiscal year budget.

Commissioner Jon Thaxton flexed his flare for arboriculture and lightened the commission chambers on an otherwise gloomy day when he pointed out some non-native plant life in the library drawings. “The landscaping itself should not be taken too literally at this point,” said Harvard Jolly Executive Vice president Ward Friszolowski.