Golden Gate Point
Association, Inc.
136 Golden Gate Point #702
Sarasota, Florida 34236
ggp@goldengatepoint.net
Golden Gate Point:
Archived Streetscape :
GGPA ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES, JAN. 21, 2012
Meeting was called to order by President, Denise Watermeier at 9:30 AM.
The GGPA board members were introduced. Brent Parker and Beverley Albertson's terms are expiring. Other Board members are Lisa Sebastian (Secretary replacing Vikki Keyser), Claudia Porter, John Dent, and Cathy Atunes. Janette Tuttle (Treasurer), is not a Board member and is looking for a replacement.
Treasurer's report given by Janette (see her report) and will be filed.
John Moran, Operations Manager of DID (Downtown Improvement District), and Brent Parker were guest speakers. They spoke of potential changes/improvements for the downtown area and stated that since our GGP Streetscape project was so successful, they are looking at this project for ideas for the DID. Four public events were held to discuss changes for the Main Street area and out-of-towners have provided best practices of other cities. The proposal includes:
- Widening sidewalks to provide more outdoor dining.
- Identifying the Historic District clearly.
- Larger signs directing traffic to Downtown,
- Bollards that retract depending on the time of day creating a pedestrian street in the area of lower Main.
- Elimination of curbs.
- Transportation with 6-8 passenger vehicles from the parking garages to downtown areas for tips only.
- Connection of lower Main to the Bay front by an 18 foot walking bridge over Tamiami Trail with legs toward Marina Jack and toward Gulfstream Blvd.
Improvements would be undertaken in sections of Main Street beginning with lower Main between 5 points and Tamiami Trail.
Many Downtown merchants are against change. They want parking to remain “as is” and fear that rents will increase. Petitions were provided for our signature supporting the proposal.
A motion was made to have GGPA write a letter to the City in support of the concepts expressed on the petition for a "Green Walkable Downtown". The vote was unanimous and a letter to the City Commission will be sent.
Claudia Parker presented GGP Beautification Award. The committee (Claudia Parker, Joel McCague, Phil Segerstrom, Robin Neff, and Linda Hellmich Brink) awarded this year's beautification award to Pier 550 which beautified their area with landscaping and paver bricked parking areas. The award sign will be on their property and visible to pedestrians.
Claudia reported that the maintenance group to tend to GGP landscaping has changed from a private company to the City for maintenance. The City is committed to the landscaping project. If any GGP resident notices any issues with landscaping/broken mailboxes, plants/trees/light poles/sprinklers, please report them to Claudia using the nearest light pole number as a reference. Names on each condo building were encouraged, as well as self policing of mattresses/rubbish left at curb for days.
Brent Parker and Beverley Albertson were nominated to the GGP Board. There were no nominations from the floor. They were unanimously re-elected to the Board.
Meeting adjourned 10:45 AM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Lisa Sebastian, Secretary/495 GGP #4