NEWS BRIEFS

+ Sarasota boards OK column donation for Five Points Park

The Parks and Recreation Department and the Downtown Improvement District boards heard a report Tuesday on the possible donation and relocation of a Corinthian column from its current home near the Five Points roundabout.

City staff recommended the pillar be moved to Selby Five Points Park, located near an existing historic clock and historic marker. Both the Parks and DID boards voted unanimously to recommend accepting the column and placing it in Five Points Park.

The column, which marks the 100th anniversary of the landing of Scottish settlers in Sarasota, has a renewed historical significance at this time, according to city senior planner Clifford Smith.

“In May 1913, the governor signed the enabling act to create the city of Sarasota, to become effective as of Jan. 1, 1914,” Smith said at Tuesday’s DID meeting. “We’re in a period, between May and January, marking the 100th anniversary of the city of Sarasota.”

The cost of relocating the column is estimated at $1,650. Final review of the donation is at the discretion of the city manager, who can handle the donation internally or send it to the City Commission for final approval.

+ Main Street construction to move to Palm Avenue

Beginning next week, as part of ongoing Main Street improvements, construction will move to the block between Palm Avenue and Mira Mar Court.

According to a July 22 project update, crews will begin work — including the removal of curbs, trees and sidewalk — on the new segment, because construction between Gulfstream Avenue and Palm Avenue has moved close to completion.

This week, crews are completing the installation of Silva Cells for tree growth and pouring curbs and putting in irrigation systems for landscaping areas between Gulfstream and Palm.

Demolition on the west side of the street, at Pine Place and Main Street, took place this week. Crews are preparing for further demolition on the north side of Main Street, just west of Goodrich Avenue.

Contact David Conway at [email protected].