State of Florida allocates $4 million for project that'll widen Fruitville Road
Several local governments in Sarasota County will receive all of the items on their wish lists for state funding this year, as long as those items receive the approval of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The Florida Legislature passed the state budget in mid-March, including money for a slew of local government projects around the state, including in Sarasota County.
The Legislature allocated $4 million for a project that will widen Fruitville Road between Debrecen Road and Lorraine Road and $700,000 for a plan to improve the St. Armands Circle streetscape, for example.
The Herald-Tribune has compiled a list of these projects, which all involve infrastructure improvements. However, the governor hasn’t signed the budget yet. DeSantis could remove any of the following projects from the budget through a line-item veto.
Background: Florida legislative session ends with vote on $112 billion state budget
In case you missed it: Sarasota governments ask state legislature for money for street projects and more
Money for the city of Sarasota
$500,000 for the Legacy Trail extension and improvement project. The trail currently ends just east of downtown Sarasota, and the city wants to extend the path to the downtown area, to north Sarasota and to the barrier islands. The state funding would help pay for the design and construction of multiple segments of the trail.
$400,000 for the Main Street streetscape improvement project, to enhance Main Street from Pineapple Avenue to Orange Avenue. The improvements include widening sidewalks by replacing angled parking with parallel parking and improving the landscaping and lighting. The state money would go toward the project design and engineering.
$700,000 for the design and construction of the St. Armands Circle streetscape improvement project. The city is planning to improve sidewalks, hardscape and landscaping at the circle, which will “will improve the visitor experience and support the economic growth of this renowned commercial and business employment center,” Mayor Erik Arroyo said in a letter to DeSantis.
“St. Armands is our second-most visited attraction, aside from our beaches,” Arroyo told the Herald-Tribune. “And downtown attracts everyone from all walks of life.”
Funds for Sarasota County
$4 million for a project widening Fruitville Road between Debrecen Road and Lorraine Road. The county is planning to add two through travel lanes to Fruitville and construct sidewalks and buffered bike lanes on both sides of the road, among other improvements.
$2 million for the Regional Fire/EMS Training Academy that the county plans to build in mid-county. The new facility will provide training both to people wanting to become firefighters or EMTs and to individuals already in those fields. The state funding would be used to construct a training building at the academy.
$1 million to assist with utility and broadband improvements. Sarasota County is planning to build three new buildings in mid-county, one of which is the fire academy. To provide utilities to these buildings, the county plans to construct water and sewer mains and a wastewater lift station. It also will install a fiber broadband connection.
Funds for Venice
$850,000 for upgrades to the city of Venice’s water treatment plant. The plant currently uses single-stage reverse osmosis treatment. Because of Venice's population growth, the city’s current water production may not meet future needs, according to the request form for the state money. The city wants to increase plant capacity.
Money for Longboat Key
$800,000 for improvements to the town of Longboat Key’s wastewater line, which takes sewage across Sarasota Bay and then underground to one of Manatee County’s wastewater treatment plants. State funding will help the town reline the aging pipe in mainland Manatee County.
Anne Snabes covers city and county government for the Herald-Tribune. You can contact her at asnabes@gannett.com or (941) 228-3321 and follow her on Twitter at @a_snabes.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota's Fruitville Road widening project poised to receive state money
