Nokomis Vision For Commercial Corridor

REVITALIZATION IS ALIVE AND WELL IN NOKOMIS

Dona Bay Bridge Under Construction

Strategic Planning At The Nokomis Inn & Suites
Inn Keepers, Dan Dragash (right) & Valerie Nolin meet with Bruce Dillon (center) & Alan Garrett (left)
regarding plans to revitalize & expand their motel on Tamiami Trail in Nokomis. Bruce is the Nokomis
Revitalization Chairman & Alan is a Land Development Consultant.

NACA / NCRAC

NOKOMIS COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS VISION

The Nokomis Revitalization Plan was adopted by the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners in 2001. Click on the Nokomis Center Revitalization Plan to view the entire document.

Presently, Nokomis residents are engaged in "freshening" the vision for our commercial corridors given the context of the impending Tamiami Trail and Colonia Lane widening and beautification road projects, and the availability of public water to our residents. This vision exercise is intended to be collaborative and supportive of our landowners and businesses in our commercial corridors. We seek to be a public advocate for them in optimizing the use of their property congruent with the vision for Nokomis revitalization.

Through a series of ongoing public meetings, a listing of concepts and specifics of what we would like to see, and not see, occur within the Nokomis Commercial Corridors as our revitalization unfolds.

We are seeking collaboration with government officials and bureaucrats in helping provide support and solutions for our vision. We are seeking problem-solvers who put their efforts into finding ways to make goals happen, that do not seek the easy way out and say it can't be done.

What Nokomis residents have stated they would like to see occur:

· A CONNECTIVITY OF THE EAST AND WEST SIDES OF TAMIAMI TRAIL. The ability to safely walk, bike from one side to another.

· OVERPASSES ON TAMIAMI TRAIL; one associated with the Sarasota County Rails to Trails path & at least one more in the Albee Road vicinity. This 2nd overpass would facilitate walking, biking to the beach & supporting future businesses located in the area.

· A CROSS UNDER AT THE DONA BAY BRIDGE . Investigate the possibility of a walkway connecting the east and west sides of Tamiami Trail beneath the new bridge.

· TAMIAMI TRAIL MORE LIKE A BOULEVARD VS. A FREEWAY. Maintain lush and attractive native landscaping, along with striking architectural design to calm traffic. Explore and implement options for the removal, control and maintenance of invasive non-native vegetation at the US 41 crossings of Dona Bay / Shakett Creek and Roberts Bay / Curry Creek to restore the natural shoreline habitat and enhance the visual aspects of this Scenic Highway corridor.

· ATTRACTIVE SIGN PLAN. Enforce existing sign rules and collaborate with merchants to make signage attractive throughout the corridors.

· MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT WITH ADDED DENSITY. Encourage building for mixed use purposes. Examples may include commercial on ground level with offices and residential on 2nd stories and above. Related, assist landowners in being allowed to build to greater heights along Route 41 where density helps create vibrancy for business to succeed. Businesses that we would like to see locate include: tourist and beach related; family restaurants; coffee & ice cream shops; professional offices; natural foods; vegetable & fruits; barber & beauty shops; deli foods.

· DEVELOP AN ARCHITECTURAL THEME. Keeping in mind the heritage of Nokomis residents, think an "Old Florida & Key West" theme of architecture makes sense. We plan to encourage development and redevelopment along these lines. In return, we will visibly lobby for our landowners and businesses in achieving their building goals, and subsequently, lobby for ongoing support of their Nokomis businesses on a routine basis.

· MOVE PARKING OFF OF TAMIAMI TRAIL BEHIND BUILDINGS; HAVE SHARED PARKING. Our small parcels lend themselves to shared parking and water retention requirements. Also, a stronger, positive impression can be gained by moving buildings closer to the sidewalks, having greater heights & density, and moving parking to the rear.

· CREATE URBAN PARKS. Our vision is not to build on all available spaces - we seek open space as an amenity for Nokomis residents and tourists.

· PURCHASE LAND FOR PARKING. Our vision is to have convenient parking for patronizing businesses.

· CREATE A FINANCIAL SOURCE. We are seeking assistance from the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners in developing a plan where a portion of our local taxes are retained for Nokomis Revitalization and goal accomplishment similar to what is being done in other county revitalization areas.

· ENCOURAGE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - INSTALL BUS SHELTERS, SAFE BUS STOPS WITH BENCHES AND EXPLORE LOCAL SHUTTLE / TROLLEY SERVICE.

· CREATE BUSINESSES AND AMENITIES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN. Day care, pre-school, and youth related businesses are welcomed and wanted.

· CREATE A SKATEBOARD AREA ON THE NOKOMIS COMMUNITY CENTER GROUNDS.

· COORDINATION OF OUR SARASOTA COUNTY LINEAR PARK - "RAILS TO TRAILS" PATH WITH OUR COMMERCIAL AREA. Create areas for people to park and use both the trail and our businesses. Related, make it easy for our residents to use the parks and commercial areas without needing a car.

What Nokomis residents have stated they would not like to see occur:

· TAMIAMI TRAIL CONTINUE TO BE A RACEWAY THROUGH NOKOMIS AND SERVE TO DIVIDE THE COMMUNITY.

· TAMIAMI TRAIL CONTINUE TO BE UNSAFE FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES

· NON DESCRIPT, UNATTRACTIVE STRIP MALLS OF MIXED ARCHITECTURE AS SEEN THROUGHOUT THE VENICE BY-PASS

· BUSINESS TYPES THAT ARE NOT WELCOMED INCLUDE: adult oriented businesses, additional auto related businesses, bars, storage.