The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

By now it's not news: As previously reported, HealthSouth Corporation, which is developing the healthcare facility on the north side of Bee Ridge Rd. opposite the entrance to Lake Sarasota, graciously paid the cost of stamped bricks in the new, narrower concrete median at the entrance to the neighborhood: With the addition of a third, right-turn lane, there have been a few inattentive drivers who go to the right and attempt to make a left-hand turn, despite the new signals indicating what one can and can't do at the intersection. Word to the wise: The flagpole is now safely (we hope) ensconced in the next median:

Excellent News: Word arrived today that HealthSouth Corporation , which is building an addition to its Rehabilitation Facility on the north side of Bee Ridge Rd., has offered to pay the cost of installing an embellished median at the entrance on Mauna Loa. The entrance is being reconfigured to satisfy traffic requirements due to the upgrade of the HealthSouth facility. Work is expected to begin soon. This generous gesture would not have been possible without the intervention of Sarasota Neighborhood Services , which confirmed the offer this evening, and to whose dedicated staff we now owe yet another debt of thanks. In addition, Neighborhood Services confirms that Lake Sarasota still has $2132.84 in grant funds. These need to be used by Sept. 30,  on projects that meet grant guidelines. If you have ideas, send them along or come to our next meeting on June 9. 

A brief summary of where things are at so far: Because HealthSouth is adding a 20-bed facility that will increase traffic at the intersection at Bee Ridge, an additional left-turn lane is required at the south side of the intersection, adding a third lane to Mauna Loa Blvd. for a left turn onto Bee Ridge. The flagpole will be relocated to the next median -- how this will be paid for remains to be determined. A concrete separator is required for safety. It is expected to be 4" high, and 3-4 feet wide. The separator must have no structures for the first three car lengths. After that, spaces for plantings are possible. It is also possible to consider stamped, colored concrete (to look like brick)  or other pavers for the front end. If there is an interest in further embellishment of our entrance (e.g., walls instead of the signs we have there now), the expense would fall to the neighborhood. The ideal time to do this work would be during the alteration of the traffic lanes. This will...