County Commission to discuss incentive grant

The Sarasota County Commission will discuss an economic development incentive grant for an interested company to expand to Sarasota.

The company, code-named “Project Mason” on the commission agenda, is a national financial services practice support organization: it helps investment advisors to manage and develop their business. According to the county staff memo, the company has grown to the point that it needs additional facilities and prefers to stay within Sarasota County.

If the grant is approved, the company will receive at most $225,000, which would be distributed based on the company’s performance over a six-year time span. The company will have to employ 75 new, full-time positions over the course of five years. Their average starting wage will be $43,304.

Staff recommends approval of the incentive grant.

Commissioner Nora Patterson is requesting to expedite the process of changing the signage at the crossing of Legacy Trail and Central Sarasota Parkway. The confusion between bicyclists and motorists on who has the right-of-way has been a source of complaint.

Currently, trail users have a stop sign before the intersection, and motorists have a caution sign and “Bike X-ing” painted on the street. The two variations have lead to a misunderstanding that motorists have the right of way, although in fact trail users have priority.

Patterson suggested that stop signs with flashing lights be installed at the crosswalk. These beacons have been successful where they are installed on Siesta Key. When activated by trail users, the lights flash to alert motorists of oncoming bicyclists and pedestrians crossing Central Sarasota Parkway. If this method is successful, there would be no need to install a typical traffic light, which was suggested to Patterson by the Palmer Ranch Master Homeowner’s Association.

Each flashing sign costs $4,000.

IF YOU GO

What: Sarasota County Commission meeting

When: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23

Where: Commission Chambers, Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.