SARASOTA, FL (December 11, 2018) – The Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization (SBPO) at its December 4, 2018, meeting formally began its transition to The Bay Conservancy (Conservancy), the entity the City of Sarasota will rely upon to implement the recently approved Master Plan of the City’s 53-acre bayfront site.
Officers elected for the Conservancy are: Cathy Layton, Chairman; Jennifer Compton, Secretary; Rob Lane, Treasurer.
The Conservancy’s first meeting will be held on January 15, 2019, at the Blue Pagoda. The Conservancy will be the successor 501c3 not-for-profit of the SBPO. The Conservancy is working with the city on a long-term partnership agreement that establishes the Conservancy as the development, operations, and private funding partner with the City in the build-out and management of the park at The Bay.
A.G. Lafley, past Chairman of SBPO, will assume a newly created position of Startup CEO for the Conservancy, serving through 2019. He will work alongside Bill Waddill, who will continue to serve as Managing Director of the Conservancy. Lafley and Waddill have complementary roles and responsibilities: Waddill, for design, planning, development, and construction of The Bay, beginning with Phase 1, which was approved by the City Commission on September 6, 2018. Lafley will be responsible for fundraising, organization planning and resources, commercial and business operating strategies, and continued community outreach. Lafley and Waddill will continue to work closely and collaboratively with the City Commission and City Management. Mr. Lafley will serve at the sole discretion of the board for $1 per year.
“AG, Bill and I, and all of the board have been working closely as a team. We all are committed to true impact, so each of us stepping forward into implementation as a team felt natural. I willingly prepaid for AG’s first year of service,” said Layton.
“AG and I have developed a complementary and strong working relationship over my year as Managing Director,” said Waddill. “Working so closely with a man who was successful in a public-private partnership in revitalizing Cincinnati brings such strength to our team.”
The Conservancy will continue its close relationship with City Staff, particularly Steven Cover, Director of Planning, who served as the City’s representative on the SBPO. “Steve has been an integral team member through this entire process and will continue to guide us in planning and permitting our Master Plan phases,” said Waddill.
“I believe in this team. And, I believe an enhanced, enlivened, and iconic bayfront park will benefit our community,” said Lafley.
Other board members transitioning into the Conservancy: Keith DuBose, Michael Klauber, and Cynthia McCague. The Conservancy will also likely add additional Board members and Ex Officio members after the first of the year.
For more information, visit www.TheBaySarasota.org.
About Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization (SBPO)
The Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization (SBPO) was formed in 2016, building on work completed by the Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 organization to advance the development of City-owned land along the Sarasota Bayfront. This private-public partnership with the City of Sarasota is headed by a nine-person board comprised of trusted and experienced individuals with a diverse set of competencies. The SBPO is tasked with ensuring the delivery of a professionally prepared master plan for the sustainable development of the 42-acre Sarasota Bayfront in accordance with the Guiding Principles established by the community and the City of Sarasota Commission. The SBPO will oversee the development of an operating structure that will professionally manage the Sarasota Bayfront Project during and following construction. For more information, visit www.sbpo.org.
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