The Bay Park will be a game changer for Sarasota
The intrinsic value of a community lies in the people that live within it and the diverse gifts they contribute to create its unique character and further its evolution.
I fell in love with Sarasota for many reasons: the beautiful islands, the magnificent sunsets, the cultural aspect and especially the quality of life it has offered my family over the past four decades. There is a unique energy in Sarasota that is very inspiring to all who live and work here. That is truly the gift of giving back.
Sarasota has cultivated a wonderful community of people and philanthropic organizations that make it a vibrant, exciting and innovative neighborhood teeming with caring citizens. It is inspiring to see how the citizens of Sarasota are consistently collaborating to create a positive impact for our local philanthropic organizations. These volunteers come from all walks of life – from entrepreneurs and former CEOs to health care professionals and service workers. But more than anything else, they are all caring people.
The newest project that our community has embraced is The Bay Park, a 53-acre park redevelopment of land owned by the city of Sarasota along the downtown bayfront. After more than a decade of planning, the vision for The Bay as a public park with access for all was approved by the Sarasota City Commission this past year. The Bay Park will become an iconic destination for families to connect with nature and each other, with lively events and functions bringing art and culture together in a diverse environment on our bayfront.
I am proud to say our public and private sectors are working together to create this beautiful green space for Sarasota to enjoy. As a real estate developer, I believe it is important to contribute to projects that support our community and citizens. I also believe that public and private land conservation is essential for quality of life.
As we build, we must also preserve.
This idea is just one reason why I believe The Bay Park is such an important project for our community. It would be remiss to not match the influx of new construction real estate development with vibrant green spaces for all in the community to enjoy.
As we anticipate more people setting their sights on Sarasota, it is also important to look ahead at the overall quality of life that all residents can expect – and that includes the walkability factor that The Bay Park will provide. The goal of making our community more active and connected, paired with Sarasota’s esteemed reputation as an arts and culture destination with beautiful waterfront vistas and a community-centric ethos, all contribute to our city's appeal and distinctive identity.
As a co-developer of One Park Sarasota with JEBCO Ventures and our national real estate development partner Property Markets Group, we are honored to support The Bay Park and its grand opening celebration in October. Our gift of $1 million is a "Thank you" to the amazing volunteer board of directors, city officials and Bay Park team members, whose tireless work will make a huge impact on our community.
I have the utmost confidence that The Bay Park will become a timeless jewel that we will all enjoy for generations and generations to come.
Kim Githler is managing partner of JEBCO Ventures and co-developer of One Park Sarasota.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: The Bay Park will become one of Sarasota's crown jewels
