{image source} Andres Duany has been a polarizing figure in Sarasota ever since he and his firm helped author the downtown master plan in 2000. While some of his recommendations warrant criticism, it is probably more his demeanor that creates controversy. After all,...
{photo source} There's nothing like times of economic hardship to stir up discussion about a city's future. Should we revive industry? What kind of industry? Attract the creative class? What exactly does the creative class do? Or is tourism and retirement a safer bet?...
{photo source} Our apologies for being a bit tardy with this post, but we've had stars in our eyes! Now that the opening ceremonies, which included a performance at Van Wezel by Harry Connick and his orchestra as well as a film screening at the Sarasota Opera House,...
{photo source} Sarasota residents came out in force on March 8th to elect three new city commissioners, and now that the dust has almost cleared— Actually, that's a bit of a fib. The dust hasn't cleared. And not because the runoff vote in District 1 has yet to happen...
{photo source} Saw this article in the Herald-Tribune by Christopher O'Donnell and thought we'd pass it along. It is an interesting notion...what if Sarasota used what it has in greatest abundance—sunshine—as currency to pay for local needs? Could be a way to use the...
{photo source} Tomorrow is election day here in Sarasota, with three out five commission seats up for grabs. That means if you live in districts 1, 2, or 3 (that means everyone in the city of Sarasota) your vote counts!! In 2009, when two at-large commission seats...
{photo source} So, this week's post is a bit of an aberration, as we are not only giving a direct plug for a restaurant, but one that isn't even especially close to Laurel Park. However, Laurel Park Management and J.R.'s Old Packinghouse Cafe do have something in...
{photo source} Think you know Laurel Park? Take a stroll on the Laurel Park Historic Walk and discover little-known stories about the ground beneath your feet and the houses next door. Here's all the info you need, courtesy of This Week in Sarasota. WHEN: Saturday...
[ted id=1037] We like to call Laurel Park Sarasota's urban village. But what do we mean by that? Isn't "urban village" an oxymoron? Not necessarily. At Laurel Park Management, we see "urban" as a condition of density and diversity, basically a place where a variety of...
You don't have to be a marketing guru to know that youth sells. Everything it seems, including cities, are sold to the youth. Picture crowded sidewalks in the vaunted Creative City—a bunch of stylish 20 and 30 somethings, right? But as important as the energy and...
