The Bay Park Redevelopment, Sarasota, Florida

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The Bay is a citizen and community led civic initiative to transform 53 acres of city-owned land into a signature public park on Sarasota Bay that is open and accessible, free, and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of the community. The Bay is a community-led, $150 million project that will take 10 years over three more phases to complete. The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC), led by former Procter & Gamble CEO Lafley and former Kimley-Horn & Associates Senior Vice President Waddill, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed in 2019 to implement the master plan approved by the City Commission to conserve the public land for a signature park. The BPC entered into a long-term partnership with the city to fund, develop, operate and sustain the Bay Phase I: of the park is set to debut with a 10-day grand opening event beginning Oct. 14. The 14-acre phase features largely passive recreation space, nature trails, an event lawn, playground, a mangrove bayou and a welcome center, among others. 80% of (Phase 1) was paid for by private money. Phase II: At a cost of $65 million, the Sarasota City Commission approves $48 million in TIF-backed bonds for the second phase of The Bay park redevelopment. The four projects within The Bay phase two are projected to cost $65 million. Dockside/South Canal District: $15 million City Side Cultural District: $20 million Sunset Boardwalk/Pier: $15 million Western Shoreline: $15 million Subtotal: $65 million The Sarasota Bayfront Master Plan lays the groundwork to transform a 53-acre, city-owned site on the stunning "Cultural Coast" of Florida into a more inclusive and welcoming community waterfront destination. The project delivers a long-term master plan to guide future improvements to the valuable site - establishing a cultural and economic legacy for the region while ensuring open, public access to the Bayfront. The plan, once implemented, will enhance the cultural vitality of the site, provide expanded public open space, improve connectivity to other parts of the city, and offer an economically and environmentally sustainable long-term management strategy.

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