It has been exciting to learn about the development of the C4  consortium of our local colleges on the North Trail in Sarasota. While this partnership is based primarily on academic interrelationships, it is exactly the kind of collaboration that can help spur development and revitalization of this unsightly portion of our community that serves as the gateway to the city from the airport.

In a recent article, Dr. Larry Thompson of Ringling College of Art and Design stated that he felt projects involving bookstores, bars and restaurants would help create more of a funky cultural district along the North Trail rather than cookie-cutter condos and bland storefronts. I could not agree more with Dr. Thompson on this point.

These developments lead me to believe that now is the time for our entire community to accelerate our efforts to complete the second phase of the Artspace initiative that has been underway for several months.

Artspace is America’s leader in artist-led community transformation. With headquarters in Minneapolis and offices in Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Seattle and Washington, D.C., they run a network of more than 35 affordable arts facilities in 15 states.

Their projects provide live/work space for artists with very affordable rent structures that remain affordable even as the inevitable growth and appreciation of the surrounding community takes place. Typically the types of businesses that develop around the Artspace projects are restaurants, bars, art galleries and upbeat retail. This is exactly the type of development that could help C4 achieve its goals and the community turn this unsightly, blighted strip of highway into a vibrant, energetic gateway that is in alignment with our reputation as the cultural capitol of Florida.

The Arts and Cultural Alliance is working closely with the North Trail Redevelopment Partnership, area artists and business leaders to raise the money that will allow us to complete the feasibility studies necessary to move forward with this project. The Sun

Circle Art Festival that will be held on Saturday, March 5 at Sapphire Shores Park between 10am and 5pm is dedicating part of its proceeds to the funding of this important project.

We encourage the City of Sarasota, Sarasota County government and all members of the community to learn more about Artspace and join us in developing this project which can be a big part of the solution to this long standing problem. For more information visit our website at www.sarasotaarts.org.

Jim Shirley is the executive director for the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.