LYRA & RINGLING BOULEVARD MIXED USE
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the old RINGLING SHOPPING CENTER |
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The New Public Sidewalk just south of the gated/fenced development, connecting the Paver Park/Gardens of Ringling Park residential neighborhood DIRECTLY to Payne Park via The Privately-owned Parcel formerly known as Shopping Way. Unfortunately, (as of the March opening of the Trail) the walkway stops shy of the pavement of the Legacy Trail, leaving a 21ft pavement gap. A bit of an ADA fail. "The Gap" How to resolve this? The County says someone must apply for, pay for and build a sidewalk connection. The City says ask Lyra. In Lyra's development application they had agreed to provide the easement and build and landscape the sidewalk to their property line, which they did do. How to resolve this to get this important neighborhood pedestrian connection? |
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West Palm Beach developer, Richman Group of Florida, is developing the site in two phases: two commercial/retail buildings along Ringling Boulevard (Phase 2); and (Phase 1) "Lyra": a gated, luxury 222-unit apartment complex.
LYRA is open; the twin commercial buildings along Ringling Blvd (Phase 2) are still to come.
The old shopping center building was demolished in December 2018.
LYRA is open; the twin commercial buildings along Ringling Blvd (Phase 2) are still to come.
The old shopping center building was demolished in December 2018.
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Built in 1955, Ringling Shopping Center was Sarasota's first shopping mall. |
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In 2012/2013 the neighborhood successfully fought a controversial proposal to replace the semi-derelict Ringling Shopping Center with a Walmart Supercenter. The old shopping center building was demolished in December 2018.
Through neighborhood negotiation, there's a new public sidewalk just south of the site, to allow local residents convenient pedestrian/bike access from the Paver Park and Gardens of Ringling Park residential neighborhoods directly to Payne Park.
This development application builds on prior agreements resulting from the Walmart proposal process. The site is now zoned part Downtown Edge and part Downtown Neighborhood Edge.
Through neighborhood negotiation, there's a new public sidewalk just south of the site, to allow local residents convenient pedestrian/bike access from the Paver Park and Gardens of Ringling Park residential neighborhoods directly to Payne Park.
This development application builds on prior agreements resulting from the Walmart proposal process. The site is now zoned part Downtown Edge and part Downtown Neighborhood Edge.
Update on the tile Mural at the old Ringling Shopping Center: lost forever. I recently inquired of Richman Group, the developer, what plans are, now that Phase I (Lyra Apartments) is nearing completion, for the tile mural from the old Publix, that they were going to save, prior to demolition, hopefully to reinstall on the back wall of their garages building, along the soon-to-be Legacy Trail. Neighborhood initiative encouraged them to save portions of the mural, not original from the 50's, but still a much-loved local iconic work of art. Alas, the Richman Group reply: "In regards to the Publix mural, unfortunately we were unable to salvage any of the tile to be repurposed. There was a good amount of damage from vandals right before the demo and it wasn’t possible to keep the mural intact."
The (extensive) planning documents from the project application can be viewed online through the City. (Or visit City Hall.)
From the City of Sarasota home page, find prior (archived) meetings:
May 17, 2017, Development Review Session, Agenda Item I.3. 17-ASP-05 Ringling Blvd Mixed Use. "Click to view Backup Material."
From the City of Sarasota home page, find prior (archived) meetings:
May 17, 2017, Development Review Session, Agenda Item I.3. 17-ASP-05 Ringling Blvd Mixed Use. "Click to view Backup Material."
