Public Invited to Help Shape the Future of Main Street
May 7, 2026
The City of Sarasota invites community members, business owners, and stakeholders to attend an upcoming public meeting for the Main Street Complete Streets project, an important initiative focused on creating a more vibrant, walkable, and welcoming downtown experience.
The project aims to enhance everyday life for residents and visitors, support local businesses, and strengthen Main Street as a place people want to spend time.
The project is now entering the design phase, where community-driven priorities have been translated into three conceptual design options. These concepts are intended to illustrate an overall look and feel for Main Street but do not represent final materials or specific amenities. Participation in this meeting represents a key opportunity for the public to explore and shape how Main Street will look and feel for years to come.
At the meeting, attendees will be able to:
● Learn about the project background and community engagement to date
● Review multiple design concepts currently under consideration
● Provide feedback that will help guide the future look of Main Street
Public Meeting Details:
Thursday, May 21, 2026
5:30PM – 7:00PM
Selby Public Library Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
1331 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Main Street Complete Streets project builds on early visioning efforts that engaged the community to refi ne and advance a shared concept for Main Street. Outreach focused on connecting directly with residents and businesses along the corridor, ensuring their ideas and experiences played a central role in shaping the direction of the project.
Initial community input revealed several key priorities, including:
● A strong preference for wider sidewalks and enhanced public spaces
● A desire for more shade, particularly through increased use of shade tree
● Interest in traditional materials, such as red brick and decorative street treatments
● Recognition of the challenge to provide wider sidewalks while balancing on-street parking
Community input will continue to play an important role as the project advances, with additional opportunities for engagement to be shared in the coming months. For more information about the project, visit https://engage.sarasotafl.gov/main-street-complete-streets
Media Contact: News@sarasotafl.gov
About the Main Street Complete Streets Project: The City of Sarasota’s Transportation Master Plan, Sarasota in Motion, identified Main Street as the #8 priority. Main Street Complete Streets focuses on a design that promotes safe travel to and from destinations, whether walking, biking, riding transit, or driving a vehicle. Each complete street is unique to the community and can include different features like enhanced sidewalks, street lighting, street trees and landscaping, public art, and more.
About the City of Sarasota: The City of Sarasota is a diverse and inclusive community located on Florida’s Suncoast with 55,000 year-round residents, internationally recognized cultural arts venues, stunning sunsets along Lido Beach, restored Donald Ross-designed municipal golf course, and Major League spring training baseball with the Baltimore Orioles. Learn more about us at www.SarasotaFL.Gov