Sarasota City Commissioners will hold a special meeting next Thursday to hear a presentation of the Bay’s Final Master Plan. The board is expected to vote on a plan for the entire 53-acre Bayfront site’s conceptual design and to discuss and approve an implementation plan for the first phase of the project, which will involve 10 acres on the south end.

Commissioners are expected to authorize city staff to work with the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization on an interim agreement regarding The Bay project. 

Representatives of the Van Wezel Foundation and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will also be on hand to discuss a plan to develop a new performing arts center on the site. Staff plans to work with those boards on an agreement to bring back in six months that outlines planning, development, financing, governance and operation of the new venue.

The SBPO has recommended commissioners approve an interagency agreement between the city and a newly formed organization, tentatively titled The Bay Conservancy, for fundraising, implementation, governance and management of the park property.

The special meeting is scheduled for Sept. 6 from 5-8pm.