Town of Longboat Key Projects
Bayfront Park renovations were completed in fall of 2017. Improvements include a new playground, pavilion, monument signs, shelters, beach access with safety crosswalk, restrooms, fishing pier, kayak launch with concessionaire, dog parks, resurfaced tennis court, new basketball and pickleball courts, promenade, low-impact design stormwater retention, and green space for events.
This 32-foot World Cat boat with a fire pump and medical equipment was purchased in 2011. The vessel responds to boat fires, stranded vessels and water rescues and is fully equipped with advanced life support. It is staffed with a four-person team providing both fire and medical services on the water and when needed within Sarasota County.
The Town has developed plans and is in the permitting stage to dredge 14 priority canals at a length of 10,000 linear feet. Seven of those canals contain seagrass that cannot be avoided, so a 4-acre mitigation site will be constructed for future seagrass plantings. This work could begin in fiscal year 2022 or 2023. Some canal dredging may begin in fiscal year 2021 or 22 at a cost of FY21-22 at a cost of $700,000.
Bayfront Park renovations were completed in fall of 2017. Improvements include a new playground, pavilion, monument signs, shelters, beach access with safety crosswalk, restrooms, fishing pier, kayak launch with concessionaire, dog parks, resurfaced tennis court, new basketball and pickleball courts, promenade, low-impact design stormwater retention, and green space for events.
Parks and Recreation
Bayfront Park renovations were completed in fall of 2017. Improvements include a new playground, pavilion, monument signs, shelters, beach access with safety crosswalk, restrooms, fishing pier, kayak launch with concessionaire, dog parks, resurfaced tennis court, new basketball and pickleball courts, promenade, low-impact design stormwater retention, and green space for events.
New pickleball courts were completed in at Bayfront Park February of 2020. The expansion added two new courts, for a total of three that are available for public use.
In 2019, improvements to courts one 1, 2 and 3 at the town's Tennis Center included replacement of the underground court irrigation system, fencing repairs and court resurfacing. These improvements enhanced overall court maintenance and heightened users’ experiences.
Public Safety
Three new Chevy Tahoe vehicles are used by road patrol officers to respond to calls and patrol the Island.
This 2020 Dodge pick-up truck replaced a 10-year-old model and is used for deploying two marine vessels for patrol and rescue missions.
In 2018, the police department office space was reconfigured to replace the dispatch center with a front desk officer area and a woman’s locker room.
New police radios meet P25 standards for digital mobile radio communications used by public safety organizations. The new radios also enable police officers to communicate more effectively with Sarasota County Sheriff dispatch, which recently replaced Longboat Key dispatch operations.
In March 2018 and 2020 the Town replaced two 14-year-old ambulances with more technically advance vehicles equipped with hydraulic stretchers and new radio equipment. Both ambulances have a designated response area but may respond within Sarasota County when necessary.
In 2011 the Town purchased this Polaris all terrain vehicle that is equipped with medical equipment and a rescue board to transport a jet-ski to water rescues. It is also used for emergencies incidents in rough terrain, such as nature trails and sand.
New 75-foot aerial ladder trucks purchased in 2013 and 2020 are equipped with the latest firefighting and medical equipment, including all advanced life support equipment. They have everything an ambulance has except a stretcher, since they do not transport patients. Each apparatus has a designated response area that includes Sarasota County for assistance to both Fire and EMS incidents.
This 32-foot World Cat boat with a fire pump and medical equipment was purchased in 2011. The vessel responds to boat fires, stranded vessels and water rescues and is fully equipped with advanced life support. It is staffed with a four-person team providing both fire and medical services on the water and when needed within Sarasota County.
In 2011 the Town purchased a jet-ski and rescue sled for water rescue emergencies in the waters off Longboat Key, the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay.
Public Works
The Town has developed plans and is in the permitting stage to dredge 14 priority canals at a length of 10,000 linear feet. Seven of those canals contain seagrass that cannot be avoided, so a 4-acre mitigation site will be constructed for future seagrass plantings. This work could begin in fiscal year 2022 or 2023. Some canal dredging may begin in fiscal year 2021 or 22 at a cost of FY21-22 at a cost of $700,000.
During summer of 2019, a new air conditioning system with electric heat was installed at the Town’s Public Works facility. The facility provides workspace, restrooms and break space to 21 employees. It also is used by resident associations for annual meetings in the evenings.
Improvements to Public Facilities
This audio/visual upgrade of the Longboat Key Commission Chamber will enhance coverage of town meetings. It included installation of a new amplifier and speakers, high definition cameras, a high-definition projector and close captioning software.