SKVA renews hope in parking efforts

As tourist season returns to Siesta Key, so does the specter of overflowing parking lots.

Siesta Key VillageAssociation  Chairman-elect Mark Smith told members of the group Jan. 5 that he would meet with Sarasota County staff this week to continue discussing a parking plan conceived about a year ago. Whatever agreement is reached, money is the crux of the issue.

“We’re going to have to be creative with the funding,” Smith told members.

“All of the ideas that Mark and the committee have come with are going to cost money; there's no money earmarked in this year's budget for that," said SKVA member Michael Shay\, who is working on another agreement with the county to promote village patrons’ parking in beach lots after 5 p.m.

But there may be some hope yet for funding the new parking.

“I had a bit of a brainstorming session with Commissioner (Alan) Maio,” Smith said. "And we’re going to try to find the money through various programs that are out there.”

Smith said in an interview with the Siesta Observer that funding sources may include programs designed to encourage public or stormwater drainage improvements. Some of the changes made as part of the parking plan might include improvements that qualify for that type of funding.

The plan comprises several strategies, he said, and would add parking capacity equivalent to approximately 300 spaces using public and private land. That total includes 90 potential spaces in the public right-of-way, 35 spaces that could be rented or leased from private owners, 80 spaces in a lot adjacent to the village UPS office and the remainder from allowing valet service on private property at night. 

A 2008 parking study counted more than 1,000 spaces in the village, including 60 in its municipal lot.

Smith said the parking plan would take two years to implement, but did not have a cost estimate.