Kowal is a Strong Supporter of US41 De-designation

Date last updated 12:52 pm Mar 6th, 2007

Denise Kowal served as co-chair of the Downtown Mobility Study committee that sprang from the City of Sarasota Downtown Master Plan 2020. After two years of work by the committee, city staff and the state, the current incumbent voted out this part of the Master Plan completely. The incumbent even voted against keeping the process of gaining local control of the road open, giving into the pressures of a group that formed to stop it.

The de-designation of US41 along the Bayfront is the heart of our Master Plan. In fact, Andres Duany told a packed room during his first lecture in 2000, "If you're satisfied with (U.S.) 41, then we have nothing to talk about." This past January 2007 during another public forum, Duany told the audience de-designating US41 is the "single most important idea that everyone wanted, bring it back, vote it in and get it done. So few cities have waterfront and you have it."

This plan will connect our surrounding neighborhoods to amenities, encourage walking and biking, ease up traffic count, improve traffic flow, allow for pedestrian sleeves and the city will be able to move forward with the study to improve the Gulfstream intersection. As well as, improve the area into a wonderful park for all to enjoy.