A Holiday Heads Up

This Week's Items to Know:

1.

Coon Key Bridge - Construction Suspended Thru July 4    Following extensive talks between the City and Florida Department of Transportation, FDOT has reopened both westbound lanes of the Coon Key Bridge through the July 4th holiday.  FDOT temporarily suspended construction on the bridge due to  All traffic lanes on the Coon Key Bridge are open thru July 4.  expected heavy volumes of traffic heading to Lido Beach over the holiday weekend for the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix.   The bridge is undergoing structural repairs and crews reached a point where they could stop and reopen both lanes of traffic this past Monday. Work is expected to resume Tues., July 5, with the bridge narrowed to one lane of westbound traffic.  At that time, pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to use the sidewalk.  FDOT will construct a temporary pedestrian crossing.  The project is expected to be finished by mid-August.

2.

Powerboat Grand Prix - Share the Beach  With some festivities for the 32nd Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix starting this weekend, people are being reminded to be aware and kind to sea creatures and share the beach. Grand Prix organizers have launched a campaign, "Share the Beach", cautioning festival goers that Lido Beach is   Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix organizers are reminding people to be careful and share the beach with wildlife. home to sea turtles and seabirds who are in nesting season -- and we need to be careful on the beach.  To help protect the nests, the public is being reminded about a new beach rule this year during the Grand Prix:  You must wait until sunrise to set up on the beach.  The Sarasota Police Department will be on patrol keeping an eye out for those who may be overly anxious and try to claim a beach spot before sunrise. Also, swimmers or boaters who encounter manatees and other wildlife should give these creatures a wide berth and leave them to their own devices.  It's important for us to share the shoreline! We appreciate Lucy Nicandri and her team with the Powerboat Grand Prix being proactive and communicating this important information before the races begin over the July 4th holiday weekend. Expanded "Boats on Main" Block Party - July 1 at 6 p.m.   Rather than holding a parade this year, Grand Prix organizers are opting to have the powerboats escorted by the Sarasota Police Department from the 10th Street boat ramp to Main Street, where they will be featured in a stationary display.  The "Boats on Main" block party will be held Friday, July 1 from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. on Main Street from Orange Ave. to Palm Ave., and along Lemon Ave. between State Street and 1st Street.  For a full schedule of events visit:  www.SarasotaPowerBoatGrandPrix.org

3.

Seabird Stewards Needed   Once again this year, the Audubon Society is asking for volunteers to educate beach goers about the black skimmer colony at Lido Beach during the busy July 4th holiday weekend.  Volunteers are needed to help educate the public about the black skimmers nesting at Lido Beach.      The Audubon Society is concerned about these nesting seabirds due to the increased number of people on the beach as well as habitat loss. If you're interested in being a bird steward for the weekend, you just need an enthusiasm for our special black skimmers and the beach.  Umbrellas and parking will be provided. To learn more contact:  hshort@audubon.org

4.	July 4th - Holiday Schedule   City Hall administrative offices will be closed on Monday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.    Please note:  Trash, recycling and yard waste collection will be one day later:   * July 4 collection will be on July 5 * July 5 collection will be on July 6