VENICE – Venice residents can learn more about a master plan being crafted for the waterfront Seaboard District – as well as offer input themselves – this Wednesday through Friday in the community room at Venice City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave.
The city is working with consultant Dover Kohl and Partners to develop a blueprint for the transition of what was once Venice’s industrial district into a mixed-use neighborhood along the Intracoastal Waterway, across from the island of Venice.
A portion of the Seaboard District lies within city limits, while the rest remains in unincorporated Sarasota County.
Sarasota County is currently not part of this planning process for creating a redevelopment vision for the area.
Each day will start with a workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on a specific topic, followed by a lunch break and an open studio.
On Wednesday, the topic will be John Nolen/Placemaking; Thursday it will be Urban Design/Landscaping; and Friday Transportation and street design.
A work in progress presentation is planned for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday.
City land purchase geared to creation of a park
Named for the railroad that once ran through the city, the Seaboard District is between the Intracoastal Waterway and U.S. 41 Bypass.
In May 2023, the city closed on the purchase of a former cement plant, in hopes of combining that 2.3-acre parcel – which is adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway – and 2.4-acres currently occupied by the Public Works Department’s Solid Waste and Fleet divisions that can someday give it 4.7 acres that could be developed as a park.
The city plans to move those two divisions to a new location off of Knights Trail Road, closer to the Sarasota County Landfill.
The hope is the new park, which would include central off-street public parking similar to Centennial Park, will be a catalyst for redevelopment.
No existing tenants would be forced to change or relocate, but city officials hope that eventually, when those properties are redeveloped, they would include both residential and commercial uses.
In June the City Council approved new landscape requirements for the district that included a reduction in setbacks for interior parking areas, in part so owners can build up to the right of way to create a pedestrian feel.
City officials hope to have a draft plan ready for review by the end of the year.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Venice residents can help craft new Seaboard master plan at July 31-Aug. 2 meetings
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