RESTORE ACT Direct Component Multiyear Plan Matrix — Department of the Treasury 

Applicant Name: Sarasota County, Florida

1. MULTIYEAR PLAN VERSION (INITIAL OR AMENDMENT NUMBER): Initial 2a. DATE OF INITIAL MULTIYEAR PLAN ACCEPTANCE (mm/dd/yyyy): 2b. DATE OF LAST MULTIYEAR PLAN AC

3. CUMULATIVE DIRECT COMPONENT ALLOCATION AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO APPLICANT: $1,761,808.32 4. TOTAL ALLOCATIONS PLUS KNOWN FUNDS NOT YET DEPOSITED IN TRUST FUND FOR DIR

5. Primary Direct Component Eligible 8. Estimated Total Funding Contributions For Proposed Activity(ies)(refer to Instructions) 9. Proposed Start Date 10. 

Activity Further Described in Application 6. Activity Title (Static Field) 7. Location (Static Field) 8a. Direct Component 8b. Other RESTORE Act 8c. Other Third Party 8d. Total Contribution 

mm/dd/yyyy 

(Static Field) Contribution Contribution Contribution

Infrastructure projects Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Sarasota, Florida $1,874,091.00 $88,000.00 $1,962,091.00benefitting the economy or Beach Improvementsecological resources, includingport infrastructure 1a) Design & Permitting 1a) $286,545.00 1a) $13,455.00 1a) $300,000.00 1a) 03/11/2019 1a) 03

1b) $1,587,545.00 1b) $74,545.00 1b) $1,662,091.00 1b) 03/05/2020 1b) 12

1b) Construction

$0.00$0.00$0.00

12. ESTIMATED TOTAL FUNDING CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ACTIVITY(IES) (refer to Please note: Grant awards may ref

Instructions) $1,874,091.00 $0.00 $88,000.00 $1,962,091.00 estimated funding.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1505‐0250. Comments concerning the time r

to review instructions, search existing data resources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information, should be directed to the Department of the Treasury, Office of Gulf Coast Restoration, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., 
Multiyear Plan Version (Initial or Amendment Number): Initial

Date of Initial Multiyear Plan Acceptance: N/A

Date of Last Multiyear Plan Acceptance: N/A

Eligible Applicant Name: Sarasota County, Florida

Name and Contact Information of the Person to be contacted (POC) on matters concerning this Multiyear Implementation Plan:

POC Name: Joseph Kraus

POC Title: Business Professional

POC Email: jkraus@scgov.net

POC Phone: 941‐726‐4061

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION:

1. A description

location of each

of each activity,

activity.

including the need, purpose, objective(s), milestones and location. Include map showing the

This Multiyear Plan outlines a project at Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach. Located between 190 Taft Drive, and

2201 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Sarasota, Florida, the park is County‐owned and operated, but is within the City of

Sarasota. The project was selected by the Sarasota County Commission as one of the top‐ranked projects from a list of

projects generated in conjunction with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program in the effort to identify potential projects for

the Federal, RESTORE Council Allocation (Pot 2). The project is structured in phases as follows:

Description of Each Activity:

Phase 1 ‐ Construction of a Multi‐Use Recreational Trail (MURT)

The proposed Multi‐Use Recreational Trail (MURT) is a 4,500‐foot long segment of an existing larger city‐wide initiative,

portions of which have been constructed outside of the park boundaries. The proposed construction would add

recreational opportunities and expand access to the park by providing an improved bicycle/pedestrian trail that will

stretch through natural park areas located between the Nature Center and South Lido Beach. The trail will be ten feet

wide, and will consist of boardwalks and asphalt pavement to accommodate multi‐modal users such as cyclists, skaters,

walkers and runners, and to accommodate Americans With Disabilities (ADA) requirements.

The total project development estimate is $1,962,091 which includes cost‐escalation factors to allow for a time lag from

date of grant award, through final engineering design and construction. While the current Direct Component Trust Fund

allocation is insufficient to support construction, it is anticipated that adequate funds will have accrued by the time

construction is ready to commence.

Funding sources have also been identified to offset costs that are not eligible to be paid for from the Direct Component

Trust Fund allocation. Please refer to item #6 of this Narrative.

Sarasota County anticipates applying for Direct Component funds to complete the design and permitting portion of the

project (Phase 1a) within 45 days of approval of the MYIP. It is anticipated that procurement of design and engineering

services, and subsequent design and permitting will take approximately 360 days. Once complete, and when adequate

funds have accrued in Sarasota County’s Trust Fund allocation, application will be made for construction (Phase 1b)

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The

valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1505‐0250. Comments concerning the time required to complete this information collection, including the

time to review instructions,search existing data resources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information,should

be directed to the Department of the Treasury, Office of Gulf Coast Restoration, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20220.

RESTORE ACT Direct Component Multiyear Plan Narrative

Department of the Treasury

OMB Approval No. 1505‐0250

Directions:  Use this form for the Initial Multiyear Plan and any subsequent amendments to an accepted Multiyear

Plan.  For amendments, include only new and/or materially modified activities.
funding. Of the $1,962,091.00 budgeted for the project, $300,000.00 is budgeted for Phase 1a, and $1,662,091.00 is

budgeted for Phase 1b.

Need:

Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach is located at the southern end of Lido Key, in the City of Sarasota. Spanning from

the Gulf of Mexico to Sarasota Bay along the north side of Big Sarasota Pass, the park is a popular destination and, as

such has experienced the wear and tear that is to be expected from heavy use. Park visitors have ready canoe/kayak

access to the bay and nearby small islands. Rustic trails provide leisurely, scenic access to the park's interior and picnic

areas allow opportunities to gather near Big Sarasota Pass and the Gulf of Mexico.  

Construction of the MURT will provide safe, functional access to park users who may be limited by disabilities, and to

the general public who will be provided off‐street access from the north end to the south end of the park. The MURT

will also prevent the park ecosystem from being trampled by visitors.  

Purpose:

Park improvements will provide a local economic benefit through an improved civic/visitor experience, especially as the

construction of the City of Sarasota's larger MURT project evolves, making Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach a more

accessible destination. To travel from the nature center at the northern end of the park to the beach and picnic areas in

the southern portion of the park, park visitors must currently, either drive or exit the park to walk on the sidewalk along

the western side of Benjamin Franklin Drive. Construction of the MURT will not only allow safe transit from north to

south within the park, but will also provide a defined connection and access to offsite amenities including shops and

restaurants located at St. Armands Circle for pedestrians, cyclists, and other recreational users. The construction of

boardwalks and extension of the MURT will improve the ecotourism opportunities, which will create associated

economic benefit to be experienced by businesses near the park, including lodging, restaurants, and other local

commercial establishments.  

Objectives:

Make the highest and best use of Direct Component funding as directed by the Sarasota County Commission. The

proposed work qualifies as an eligible activity for Direct Component funding In accordance with 31 C.F.R. 43.201(f),

Infrastructure projects benefiting the economy or ecological resources, including port infrastructure.

Milestones for the project will be, 1) procurement of engineering/design services; 2) design and permitting; 3)

procurement of construction services; 4) project construction; 5) active use of the trail by the community and increased

use of the park.

Location:

Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach, at 190 Taft Drive, and 2201 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Sarasota, Florida, is County‐

owned and operated, but is within the City of Sarasota. The park is located at the south end of Lido Key where it spans

from the Gulf of Mexico to Sarasota Bay along the north side of Big Sarasota Pass. A location map is provided as an

attachment.

Future Phase (not included in this MYIP) ‐ Habitat restoration

Much of the Lido Key uplands were created in the 1920s by dredging and filling a group of small islands known as the

Cerol Islands, as part of a development scheme by circus magnate John Ringling.  This filling and subsequent mosquito

ditching significantly changed the hydrology of the area, allowing the establishment of nuisance/exotic vegetation. The

first phase of habitat restoration will involve removal of established nuisance/exotic vegetation to the greatest extent

possible within budget limitations. Subsequent phases will include continuing nuisance/invasive vegetation

maintenance and re‐grading of a portion of the mosquito ditches to restore a more natural hydrology to the mangrove

swamp. It is anticipated that native vegetation will naturally recruit into the areas from which nuisance/exotic

vegetation is removed. However, future phases may include replanting, if necessary. The overall cost for this work has

not been estimated since it is not expected that sufficient funds from the current allocation will be available to

undertake the work, and that the scope of work may be subject to revision as uses of the park change with

improvements.  
A new or revised MYIP will be submitted to US Treasury for the habitat restoration activities.

2. How the applicant made the multiyear plan available for 45 days for public review and comment, in a manner calculated to

obtain broad‐based participation from individuals, businesses, Indian tribes, and non‐profit organizations, such as through public

meetings, presentations in languages other than English, and postings on the Internet. The applicant will need to submit

documentation (e.g., a copy of public notices) to demonstrate that it made its multiyear plan available to the public for at least 45

days. In addition, describe how each activity in the multiyear plan was approved after consideration of all meaningful input from the

public and submit documentation (e.g., a letter from the applicant's leadership approving submission of the multiyear plan to

Treasury or a resolution approving the applicant's multiyear plan).

Public comment on the proposed project was solicited between February 15, and April 5, 2017. The following means of

outreach in, English and Spanish were used:

Advertisement in a newspaper of wide general circulation: Sarasota Herald Tribune ‐ classified

Posting the announcement on the County website and amending the existing RESTORE Act page to include the draft

MYIP

An email blast to homeowner's associations and community organizations via Sarasota County Neighborhood Services

A press release to local media outlets

Posting printed notices on the community boards at each public library and Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach, other

nearby parks

Social media postings

Sarasota County received 16 direct comments relating to the proposed project during the public comment period, a

summary of which will be posted to the County’s RESTORE Act web page. The comments were received through the

dedicated email address, RESTORE@scgov.net.  

In general, those providing comments offered support for the project and encouraged the continuing assignment of

Direct Component funds for the future habitat restoration phase of work at the park.  

One commenter disagreed with local eligibility for any RESTORE Act funds because Sarasota County received no oil

product.

Two comments were received from internal County representatives concerning technical questions.

Three commenters recommended alternate uses of the Direct Component funds, or otherwise inquired about the use

of Direct Component funds for other projects in the future.

The most supportive comment was received from a life‐long local resident and the daughter of the man for whom the

park is named.

It was encouraging to garner support for the proposed future habitat restoration phase, and staff plans to press forward

with that work as future Direct Component allocation accrue. No changes were made to the Phase 1 work as a result of

the public comments.

A letter is provided from the Sarasota County Administrator attesting that each activity was approved after careful

consideration of meaningful input from the public, and authorizing submittal of the MYIP.

3. How each activity included in the applicant's multiyear plan narrative meets all the requirements under the RESTORE Act,

including a description of how each activity is eligible for funding based on the geographic location of each activity and how each

activity qualifies for at least one of the eligible activities under the RESTORE Act.

The Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach, Phase I project meets the following eligible activity as specified by the

RESTORE Act: 31 C.F.R. 34.201(f), Infrastructure projects benefiting the economy or ecological resources including port

infrastructure. Secondary benefits include restoration and protection of the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries,

marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast Region and promotion of tourism in the

Gulf Coast Region including recreational fishing. The infrastructure elements will provide economic benefit through

improvement of the park amenities, promoting public access and tourism, and making the park a destination for a wider

group of users. Defined, improved access will allow safe, non‐motorized multi‐modal travel between the park and the

shops, restaurants, and other businesses at St. Armands Circle and nearby neighborhoods, and will provide greater
access and exposure to vendors in the park who rent paddleboards and kayaks, and provide eco‐tours. The rustic trail

boardwalks will protect sensitive native habitats that may otherwise be adversely impacted by park visitors, particularly

following wet weather periods and during periods of tidal inundation.

4. Criteria the applicant will use to evaluate the success of the activities included in the multiyear plan narrative in helping to restore

and protect the Gulf Coast Region impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The success of Elements 1 and 2 will be measured by achievement of the milestones previously outlined, and by active

use of the amenities by park patrons. Visitor counts can be taken, and visitor surveys can be conducted. Business

operators can also be surveyed before and after construction of verify changes in business activity. In accordance with

recent US Treasury Guidance on Performance Measures:

Eligible Activity: Infrastructure projects benefitting the economy of ecological resources,

Project Activity: Pedestrian access | Bicycle access,

Measure: Number of pedestrians | cyclists accessing location,

Notes: Consider bridges, footpaths, bikepaths, roads, etc.

5. How the activities included in the multiyear plan narrative were prioritized and list the criteria used to establish the priorities.

In September 2012, the three regional estuary programs (Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, Sarasota Bay

Estuary Program, and Tampa Bay Estuary Program) initiated an effort to identify and rank potential projects for

consideration in the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council’s Comprehensive Plan. Governmental entities, agencies,

non‐profit organizations and other not‐for‐profit entities within the geographic area from Crystal River south to the Ten

Thousand Islands were invited to submit projects with quantifiable economic/ecosystem benefits/environmental

results.  

The Sarasota County Commission considered, revised, and approved a list of twenty‐eight projects that were originally

compiled and ranked by a team of staff representing various County departments. The staff team ranked the projects,

utilizing the following six criteria:  1) benefit/cost ratio; 2) lack of alternate funding sources; 3) greatest contribution; 4)

large scale project or program; 5) existing Gulf Coast State Comprehensive Plan; and 6) long term resiliency.  The

improvements at Ted Sperling Park project was ranked third, and remains a project of interest to the County

Commission, thus it was selected for funding under the Direct Component.

6. If applicable, describe the amount and current status of funding from other sources (e.g., other RESTORE Act contribution, other

third party contribution) and provide a description of the specific portion of the project to be funded by the RESTORE Act Direct

Component.

There are no coordinated activities between the project listed in this Multiyear Plan and other activities funded under

the RESTORE Act. Certain project costs such as Administrative costs above the three percent cap, and internal project

oversight (or Central Services) charges are not eligible to be paid for from Direct Component funds. The current,

extended project estimate is $1,962,091, and the estimated ineligible costs are approximately $88,000. Sarasota County

has the option to earmark Park Impact Fees.
012

Miles

Sarasota County Web Map

This map is produced f rom S arasot a County GIS,

and is representative information only.

The Count y does not warrantee, guarant ee, or

assume any responsib ility for geog raphic

inf ormation complet eness and/or accuracy.

This map sho uld no t be used as guide for n avigation.

Copyright © SCGIS 2018
0 0.25 0.5

Miles

Sarasota County Web Map

This map is produced f rom S arasot a County GIS,

and is representative information only.

The Count y does not warrantee, guarant ee, or

assume any responsib ility for geog raphic

inf ormation complet eness and/or accuracy.

This map sho uld no t be used as guide for n avigation.

Copyright © SCGIS 2018
0 0.25 0.5

Miles

Sarasota County Web Map

This map is produced f rom S arasot a County GIS,

and is representative information only.

The Count y does not warrantee, guarant ee, or

assume any responsib ility for geog raphic

inf ormation complet eness and/or accuracy.

This map sho uld no t be used as guide for n avigation.

Copyright © SCGIS 2018
S BOULEVARD OF

THE PRESIDENTS

MCKINLEY DR

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DR

ROOSEVELT DR

TAFT DR

400 200 0 400

Feet

. Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach

Multi-Use Recreational Trail