Reflecting on the Journey to Reimagine Sarasota's Bayfront: Community Investment

Editor’s Note: This blog was originally published in November 2017 and has been updated to reflect the second $1 million gift contributed to The Bay by The Patterson Foundation. Photography Credit: Courtesy atLarge


Developing Sarasota’s bayfront into a thriving, vibrant, and accessible public destination is a community endeavor. Substantial time and consideration must be given to ensure the creation of a prime waterfront location that reflects the uniqueness of the Sarasota community.

The Patterson Foundation believes that communities have the power to create their future by using a process-driven approach based on mutual aspirations. It’s a belief the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization (SBPO) has embraced continuously since its formation in 2016 to facilitate the development of a master plan for the bayfront’s future. This emphasis on shared aspirations inspired The Patterson Foundation to strengthen this endeavor by committing $300,000 in catalytic funding, encouraging donors throughout the community to contribute $2.1 million. Throughout the journey to imagine the possibilities for Sarasota’s bayfront, there have been numerous milestones worth acknowledging and celebrating.

Late 2013: Envisioning the Future

Community and civic leaders took action and started a dialogue about creating a shared vision for the future. They worked collectively to form a roadmap for the next phase of the Bayfront. The goal was to create consensus among community and neighborhood leaders about the future for this significant community asset. A vision statement was created to allow for broad community support and input.

November 2016: Sarasota Bayfront Bayfront Planning Organization Board Meets

A Framework Team of volunteers worked to create SBPO, consisting of nine members contributing their vast leadership and managerial experiences from multiple sectors. The Patterson Foundation strengthened this process, providing consulting expertise to help guide SBPO’s formation and board selection. In November 2016, SBPO held its first board meeting — thereby kickstarting a transparent, community-focused process toward a master plan for the space.

October 2017: Professional Firm Selected to Create Master Plan

Following a thorough application and review process, SBPO selected professional firm Sasaki to develop a master plan for the bayfront’s future. Sasaki brings a proven track record of successful waterfront redevelopment projects to our region and will work over the next year on a roadmap to bring our community’s aspirations to fruition.

June 2018: Draft Master Plan Unveiled

Over a series of public open-house events throughout the community and multiple online surveys, Sasaki shared possible futures for the 53-acre plot along the bayfront through several iterations of design concepts. Along the way, Sasaki meticulously refined these concepts to reflect the community’s aspirations and feedback. A draft of the master plan conceptualizing key features and a blueprint for an organizational and funding structure to make them possible was presented for further public input and refinement.

September 2018: Sarasota City Commission Unanimously Approves Master Plan

Following a comprehensive presentation by SBPO and Sasaki that reflected months of refinement and upwards of 50,000 connections made through continuous community outreach, the Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved The Bay’s final master plan for the reimagined bayfront. Speaking on the process behind the plan’s creation, Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown said, “This is one of the best processes I’ve seen in 25 years of service. It’s ranking right up there in terms of listening and inclusiveness.”

May 2019: The Patterson Foundation Invests $5 Million Into The Bay’s Evolution

In early 2019, SBPO continued to evolve and became the Bay Park Conservancy (BPC). To strengthen the BPC’s vision and process for The Bay, The Patterson Foundation announced a $5 million investment toward the operations and Phase 1 budget of the master plan. To accelerate progress toward Phase 1, The Patterson Foundation made an immediate $2 million investment. Additionally, The Patterson Foundation committed $1 million contributions to The Bay for every $5 million that private philanthropy invested. This $5 million investment will catalyze support to raise the additional funds needed to fulfill the budget.

October 2019: First $1 Million Gift Triggered

Following tremendous support from private donors, The Bay raised $5 million and activated The Patterson Foundation’s first $1 million gift. The funds went toward Phase 1 of The Bay’s master plan, which will create a new 10-acre community park stretching from U.S. 41 to the bayfront along Boulevard of the Arts. A total of $3 million has now been given by The Patterson Foundation to The Bay, with $2 million more in contributions remaining.

November 2020: Second $1 Million Contribution Activated

After private donors contributed an additional $5 million, The Patterson Foundation provided a second $1 million gift to The Bay. “The diverse collection of donors who contributed $5 million to achieve this $1 million gift affirms The Patterson Foundation’s long-term support for The Bay and this ongoing match challenge,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation.

With this activation, The Patterson Foundation has invested $4 million into Phase 1 of The Bay. Donors can trigger the third $1 million gift from The Patterson Foundation by contributing toward Phase 1 of The Bay’s master plan, which will create a community park for people of all ages and backgrounds to use and enjoy.

Even with the progress made to date, the journey ahead will continue to demand considerable time, effort, and consideration — both from those directly engaged in the work and the citizens and stakeholders guiding it. As one of the stakeholders in this path toward a vibrant, accessible, and sustainable bayfront, The Patterson Foundation will continue to be engaged to strengthen ongoing and future efforts for this once-in-a-generation opportunity.