Opinion Published by Pelican Press Dec 05

Reply to Dec 05 SH-T Article on Burns Ct Market Issue

Let’s put this in perspective, people

As a Downtown Farmers’ Market vendor, I’m not worried about the Wednesday market.  I’ve talked to hundreds of Saturday customers who are enthusiastic about the mid-week option and will come whether it is in Burns Court, Rosemary, Towles Court, or Five Points. 

As a resident of Sarasota, I’m stunned and appalled.  If you look at facts and listen to stated opinions, the topic is parking convenience, not availability.  Those who oppose the Market on parking principles are concerned that their customers can no longer pull up to the restaurant or shop door to park. 

Opposing merchants, you need to think about public perception.  If you keep up the protest, you’ll gain a reputation as bitter whiners and will likely lose current customers (like me) instead of winning market customers who might not otherwise be shopping at your front door.

Commissioners, support your decision.  We cannot afford to spend city time examining a decision made via due process in order to appease those who are resistant to change, or unwilling to either walk a city block or use valet services. 

Let’s review the facts.

• There are over 200 parking spaces on Orange Avenue, including the two lots adjacent to the Michael Saunders office (which opened its parking spaces to the market).  The distance between Orange and Pineapple is about half a block.  Ask anyone who’s ever lived in a city, and they’ll likely say that’s not a bad hike. 

• The reason that restaurant- and shop-front parking was plentiful on Wednesday evenings was a general lack of customers to the area.  Ask any merchant who’s a real merchant (e.g. one that is dependent on sales for livelihood) and they’ll tell you that the tropical equivalent of tumbleweeds rolling down Pineapple Avenue during business hours is not a good thing. 

• The Wednesday market has forced restaurant valet parking (yes, valet parking) to move from Pineapple to Burns Court.  The net result for an approaching customer is a turn into Burns Court before turning over the keys, with no additional steps to any restaurant or retail shop (they all have entrances on both Pineapple Ave. and Burns Court).  Any driver who can’t make a turn into Burns Court needs to turn over the keys to the State, not a valet attendant.  To be fair, we must consider that the valet parking attendants must walk one block (round trip) to place the service sign at the entrance to Burns Court.  Oh, wait, that’s two blocks if there is a sign at both entrances to Burns Court.  And I suppose this needs to be repeated at the end of the night.  Still, I’d suggest that any valet attendant who has trouble completing this mammoth task not park my car. 

• The majority of area businesses have bent over backwards to make the Wednesday market not only possible, but successful.  They campaigned hard during the location decision process which was very public, very open, and took place over the course of about two months.  Their participation included lobbying the Downtown Partnership, voting in the online public opinion poll (which was open for at least two weeks), communicating with all area merchants, and showing up at City Commission meetings to show support.  Many have opened their restrooms to market customers, and have opened their electrical outlets to market vendors, free of charge, until the City completes installation of new street lights that feature electrical outlets (as the City did on the Lemon Avenue Mall). 

My advice?

First, think long term.  Like it or not, Sarasota is evolving into a true city, complete with all of the opportunities and challenges of any urban area.  Growth requires change, and while change can be managed to minimize pain and optimize results, as humans we clamor for the results yet balk at the process. 

Second, Get on board.  The fact-based decision has been made.  Embrace the business opportunity.  Opportunity for public discourse was given and has passed.  If you missed it, or now regret your lack of participation, deal with it.  Find a way to support your business and your City by supporting the decision.  Offer or adopt a solution, and do your part to make it a good one for everyone. 

Solution Options:

• Valet: Extend restaurant valet service to include market customers who are unable or unwilling to trek the distance.  This might even increase the number of restaurant/market cross-over customers.  

• Shuttle: Use golf carts to shuttle people from cars to Pineapple.  I know, I know, it’s an insurance thing.  Obstacle, schmobstacle.  Is there an entrepreneur in the house? 

• Vote: If you don’t like the decisions made by your City Commissioners, vote.  If you don’t like the process by which decisions are made, vote. 

[Name redacted for blog publication]

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