February was a knock-it-out-of-the-park month for Siesta Key. After a year and a half of hard work and dedication from the Siesta Key Alliance board, county commissioners voted 5-0 to move forward with the Siesta Key Alliance Beautification Project.
I’d like to use this month’s column to explain how we got here. I’m asked that question often, and it’s important to share our story.
On Oct. 18, 2024, I was sitting in my kitchen looking out my picture window onto Midnight Pass, staring at piles of debris from two hurricanes that ravaged Siesta Key. The debris was still there 22 days later. As a board member of the Siesta Key Association, I called Catherine and Bob Luckner to ask if they had heard anything about trash pickup and why it hadn’t been collected. They said they weren’t sure what was happening but had heard Mike Holderness was working on it. Catherine suggested I try to find him and get more information.
I drove to the village and found him at his hotel, where he was waiting for Sarasota County commissioners and local and state representatives touring hurricane damage. That conversation sparked a broader discussion about the condition of Siesta Key and what needed to be done.
From there, conversations continued at Siesta Key Chamber and Siesta Key Association meetings and with homeowners, business owners and property owners. We were all asking the same question: Why isn’t Siesta Key receiving funding after being hit by two hurricanes? That’s how the alliance was formed. Our board includes representatives from the Siesta Key Chamber, the Siesta Key Association, homeowners, business owners, the Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corp., and property owners.
We began by examining infrastructure issues. The first problem we addressed was clogged storm drains that caused flooding after the May 12 storm dropped several inches of rain in just a few hours. Residents were stranded in homes and villas surrounded by water. We contacted Spencer Anderson, and work began quickly to address the issue.
We spoke before commissioners multiple times to highlight concerns. We also addressed the Tourist Development Council, which unanimously supported improvements on Siesta Key. We received a letter of support from U.S. Rep. Greg Steube.
Commissioners visited the island to see conditions firsthand.
In December, we presented at the county’s Strategic Development Workshop and received unanimous support to list our initiative as a strategic priority. At that time, commissioners granted us the February workshop.
Meanwhile, we raised $35,000 from homeowners, business owners and the Siesta Key Association to fund a preliminary engineering study examining infrastructure, safety and improvement opportunities across the island. We presented those findings at the Feb. 11 workshop.
We noted that Siesta Key has historically generated about one-third of the county’s tourist development tax revenue, which helps fund projects such as Mote Marine Aquarium, CoolToday Park, Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota’s arts organizations and Visit Sarasota County. Since the hurricanes, Siesta Key’s TDT contribution has declined by 24%. Siesta Key is a crown jewel of Sarasota County, and without reinvestment, the entire county will feel the impact.
Once again, commissioners voted unanimously to move forward. I encourage residents to watch the workshop on the county’s website. We outlined who we are and what we hope to accomplish, and commissioners shared thoughtful feedback. The next step is working with county staff to complete a comprehensive engineering study to guide long-needed improvements.
I want to personally thank the commissioners and staff for their support, and I look forward to continued collaboration.
On another note, watch for Season 2 of Siesta Sand Live. We’re now recording live on the main stage at Captain Curt’s, opening the podcast to a live audience. Episode one, “Ask the Interviewer,” features Madison Brown of the Natalie Gutwein Group interviewing me. I may not tell all, but I do share quite a bit.
Be sure to check back next month to see what’s happening out and about on Siesta Key.
Natalie Gutwein
REALTOR®
Host, Siesta Sand Live
Board member:
Siesta Key Beautification Alliance
Siesta Key Chamber
Siesta Key Association
Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corp.
