Burns Square Parking Lot Now Open

A Michael Saunders parking lot once closed due to disrepair is now open for the public's use again in Burns Square.

The City of Sarasota is offering free parking for the next six months in the surface lot at Laurel Street and Orange Avenue adjacent to the Burns Square Business District area. There is no hourly limit, but overnight parking is not allowed.

, as a chain blocked cars from entering. Michael Saunders wanted to sell and improve the lot, and improve it to help get the business district through the .

The intersections of Ringling Boulevard/Palm Avenue and Ringling Boulevard/ Pineapple Avenue are being transformed into roundabouts featuring palm trees and plants, accented with red brick pavers.

With 63 parking spaces within walking distance to the Burns Square Business District, the city anticipates the free surface lot will provide visitors with easy access to restaurants and retail stores while nearby Ringling Boulevard undergoes construction.

The project also includes additional on-street parking. A total of 37 angled parking spaces will be created on Ringling Boulevard: 20 near Palm Avenue and 17 near Pineapple Avenue. Ringling Boulevard is expected to reopen to traffic by June.

The City is continuing to partner with the Green Hopper, a low speed vehicle service, to provide complimentary shuttle service around the Burns Square Business District. Click here to view a route map. Hours for the Ringling Roundabout Express:

• Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. 
• Thursday – Saturday 6:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. (regular Green Hopper hours -- on call service only)

During 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. hours, contact the Green Hopper at877-323-7238 ext. 2. From 6:30 p.m. – 2 a.m., press 5 to speak with a driver.

For more information and to register for project updates visit www.SarasotaGov.com or contact project manager Neil Gaines: 941-365-2200 ext. 6309.