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Post date: 05-Mar-2019 21:08:36
The Sarasota Orchestra are looking for a new location and do not want to be in the arts center near the bay.
They have their eye on a large development using the existing Payne Park Tennis facility and want the City Commissioners to approve this proposal by the March 18, 2019. That approval vote has been postponed until sometime in April.
Briefly, the proposals (below in Files) show a Music Center and car parking being constructed over the existing Tennis Center and 12 courts being constructed south of the existing road and Auditorium. There is no clubhouse or building to house court equipment.There is no provision for any specific Tennis Center parking.
This proposal does not work to the advantage of Payne Park tennis, or to the park itself. The lake by the side of the courts will be paved over in part, the one south of the access road to the Auditorium will be affected and many trees in the park will be cut down. There is no doubt the wildlife that thrives around the lake will be affected and the area of the green space of Payne Park will be reduced just as residential buildings are being erected to the east of School Avenue.
The Payne Trust, which ceded the land for the park to the city, clearly states that the land is to be used only as a park, and for recreational activities. Although the development of a Music Center would appear to contravene these restrictions, we cannot rely on this legal impasse alone. The performance of music for paying customers is not recreation. It is entertainment, similar to going to the movies. Undoubtedly, the City Commission would not consider approving a multiplex cinema in Payne Park.
An important public meeting is set for March 12, 2019, 6:00 to 8:00pm in City Commission Chambers at 1565 1st Street, at which the Symphony will present its detailed proposal.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE ATTEND THIS MEETING IN FORCE TO EXPRESS OUR OPPOSITION TO THIS LAND-GRAB.
PLEASE DO NOT ‘LET SOMEONE ELSE DO IT’ IF YOU CARE ABOUT PPTC.
Download the petition in the Files section below and ask as many people as possible to sign it!
The slideshow from the original presentation to the City Commission on February 26th, 2019 is available in 'Files' below:-.
A petition to oppose the proposal is available at the Tennis Center, please ask for it, and be sure to sign it.
Sarasota Herald Tribune News Report
ABC7 report - Sarasota Orchestra eyes Payne Park as new home
More information about Payne Park is available on the Sarasota History Alive website.
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