Suzanne's Issues
An Innovator for Economic Progress
Practical, common sense leadership focused on job creation, cultivating entrepreneurial opportunities and crafting strategies for a strong, healthy economic climate – that’s Suzanne Atwell.
A Visionary Leader
Solutions for these challenging times reward bold, original ideas. Suzanne Atwell’s professional and civic backgrounds demonstrate her preceden
t-setting thought leadership, her ability to build better communities and her courage to break new ground.
A Coalition Builder
Reversing economic conditions in order to help Sarasotans recover quickly from this downturn will take big thinking and dedicated teamwork. Suzanne Atwell is well qualified to build bridges of consensus among diverse groups of people and restore civility to the political process.
Access to Housing
Although our housing inventory has grown, values have declined and interest rates favor first time home buyers, we sorely lack adequate access to housing.
As a Sarasota City Commissioner, Suzanne pledges to
- Rebuild confidence in City Hall’s ability to act decisively & effectively
- Strike a balance between community needs and budget realities
- Work to improve access to quality housing and strengthen job market
- Preserve neighborhood character while developing potential of downtown core
- Enhance connectivity and communication by fostering community collaboration
Downtown Redevelopment
We need reinforce the economic engine of our downtown core. We need to look more boldly at smart, mixed use projects that will spur pedestrian, business, and entertainment activity. We don’t need to continue the canonization of our major streets to achieve that. The viability and strength of the core is vital to all neighborhoods.
Connectivity
I support the US 41 Connectivity project which is a cultivation of many failed attempts at reconnecting not only our beautiful Bayfront with downtown, but with many other points along this gateway to our City. This project will accelerate alternative transportation, increase a pedestrian friendly atmosphere, reduce vehicle emission and create safer speed limits. This area is a major entrée into our community and it is integral in maintaining a sustainable as well as a competitive city. I support the implementation of roundabouts at strategic and appropriate locations.
Newtown Redevelopment
Newtown continues to be extremely fragile. We have increased CRA into Newtown, but funds are scarce. State cuts to property taxes and a diminishing construction industry have all but depleted development funds. However, the City has expanded the Enterprise Zone of 1.8 acres that would add 10 commercial and non-profit properties along MLK Jr. Way and Osprey. These properties would qualify for financial incentives including tax credits for employing residents of the zone, state sales tax refunds, and sales tax exemptions for electricity.
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