The Bay Park Opens Rehabilitated Chidsey Library and Promenade

Published on October 24, 2025

SARASOTA, FL — The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC), the non-profit organization transforming 53 acres of City-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a signature public park, celebrated the opening of the restored historic Chidsey Library Building and a new tree-lined Promenade along U.S. 41 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony joined by community partners and supporters.

Originally opened in 1941 as Sarasota’s first public library, the Chidsey is one of four buildings on the site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the Municipal Auditorium, Blue Pagoda, and Sarasota Garden Club. After decades of decline, the Chidsey has been fully rehabilitated and now serves as The Bay Park Conservancy’s headquarters.

The 18-month, $3 million rehabilitation preserved the building’s distinctive Streamline Moderne architecture, including terrazzo floors, glass block and corner windows, brick walls, and sections of the original library stacks. Modern updates include new structural foundation piles, skylights, and reinterpretations of original pendant light fixtures. The design was led by Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors, with construction by Jon F. Swift Construction and PGT Innovations donating hurricane-rated windows.

The new Promenade serves as the “front door” to The Bay along North Tamiami Trail. The 1,000-foot-long, 16-foot-wide walkway—flanked by 20-foot Royal Palms and canopy trees—connects three of Sarasota’s iconic landmarks: the Blue Pagoda, Chidsey Library, and Municipal Auditorium, offering a pedestrian-friendly entryway into the park.

Both projects mark key milestones in Phase 2 -- the next 14-acre, $65 million expansion -- which will also feature a new Town Square, resilient shoreline, day docks, a bayfront restaurant, and continued restoration of historic buildings. Expect completion is 2026-27, and is funded by a City TIF-backed bond ($48 million – 50/50 City/ County) and $17 million from government grants and private donations.

“The rehabilitation of the historic Chidsey and creation of this new promenade are the latest examples of the ongoing transformation of this 53-acre ‘One Park for All,’” said AG Lafley, CEO of The Bay Park Conservancy. “Each step brings us closer to a more resilient and more welcoming gathering place for everyone in the community to enjoy.”

The debut of these new park features coincides with the Three Years and Thriving Third Anniversary Community Celebration, culminating in an ambitious Grand Finale Weekend (Nov. 1–2) featuring a headliner concert by DIAMOND-selling superstar Brian Kelley (first known as the Florida half of Florida Georgia Line) and internationally renowned Ghost Hounds (who have opened for The Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks and ZZ Top). The weekend continues with an all-day, all-out “Best of The Bay” Music Festival showcasing top local artists, including the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Learn more at thebaysarasota.org/calendar.

About The Bay

The Bay is a signature public park along Sarasota Bay. Designed to be “One Park for All,” The Bay is open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of the community, now and for generations to come.

The Bay conserves, preserves, restores and transforms 53 acres of precious city-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a blue and green oasis - providing a sustainable bayfront gathering place for the community to experience and enjoy a wide range of park uses, free programs and events.

Since opening in October 2022, more than 920,000 people have visited the park. Design and development of Phase 2, the next 14-acre $65 million development, continues with expected completion in 2026-27. The completed park in total will cost an estimated $175-200 million and will take approximately 8-10 years to complete over four or more phases.

About The Bay Park Conservancy

The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC) is a 501c3 non-profit responsible for designing and implementing the Master Plan approved by the Sarasota City Commission to conserve, preserve, restore and transform 53 acres of precious city-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a blue and green oasis – providing a sustainable bayfront gathering place for the community to experience and enjoy a wide range of park uses, free programs and events. Designed to be “One Park for All,” The BPC entered into a long-term partnership with the City to help fund, develop, operate, maintain and program The Bay park for the benefit of the community now, and for generations to come.

For more information about The Bay and The Bay Park Conservancy, visit www.thebaysarasota.org, subscribe to The Bay newsletter, and follow The Bay on Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sydney Baulier (Communications@BayParkConservancy.org, phone: 941-203-5316)

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