Venice Area Blog & News Posts

 

 

In Nokomis, better doesn't mean bigger

JUN10

Written by: host 
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:59 PM

 

 

 

Bruce Dillon, chairman of the Nokomis Revitalization Committee, is photographed along the Legacy Trail where it crosses through Nokomis Community Park on July 29, 2013. Nokomis is wrapping up its 15-year revitalization plan, of which the Legacy Trail played a large part.

STAFF PHOTO / ELAINE LITHERLAND

By Donna Koehn

 

Published: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 6:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 6:43 p.m.

 

Nokomis is a community of people who have better things to do than put on airs.

 

 

Almost 15 years ago, when told they could come up with ideas to revitalize their town, the top of their wish list was sewers.

Residents, many with low to moderate income, have long been attracted to this community just south of Sarasota by something as rare as a tourist with unbaked skin — the ability to enjoy a true Florida lifestyle at a bargain basement price.

“It's a chance for somebody of limited resources to get a place on the water,” says Bruce Dillon, chairman of the now-defunct Nokomis Revitalization Committee, who worked for years to translate the people's wishes into a popular plan.

When some communities have the chance to revitalize, they look for ways to bring in bigger and better — more winter residents, waterfront hotels and fancy restaurants.

Nokomis, on the other hand, focused on ways to improve the quality of life for the people who already call it home.

“Families of folks who came here 50 years ago are still here,” says Dillon.

The multimillion-dollar plan, forged through 11 public workshops in 1999 and 2000 and updated in 2010, was hashed out by about 40 civic associations' members.

Some people objected to parts of the plan that called for an arts and office district that would attract more people to the area.

The people are OK with some economic development, as long as code enforcement limits the size and scope of any projects.

For the past decade and a half, crews have worked at bringing the plan to fruition. Most of the priorities have been accomplished, although some sidewalks have to be built and a few sewer lines are still going in. But the work is almost over.

For those who have lived there for years and know the land like a sweetheart's face, the differences are striking.

“Colonia Lane used to be a two-lane road with no sidewalks,” says Dillon. “Now you can look out and see mothers pushing baby carriages down the sidewalk.”

Outsiders, however, might not notice many changes. Some are underground, underwater or not apparent to those driving through the area on U.S. 41.

After sewer lines and safe water, the next concern of residents was reconstruction, streetscaping and lighting of Colonia Lane, one of the major thoroughfares through town.

In recognition of boating as “part of the Nokomis way of life,” according to the plan, next in importance was the dredging of Dona and Lyons bays and Shackett and Curry creeks. Nokomis, bordered by waterways on three sides and laced by private canals, needed more boat ramps, channel markers and canoe trails.

Also important to residents was to be part of the “Rails to Trails” project, utilizing an old railway corridor as a jogging and bicycle path. Called the Legacy Trail, it now covers 10 scenic miles with views of waterways from Sarasota to Venice on its southern border.

Other priorities were landscaping on U.S. 41, increased code enforcement and county-sponsored cleanup days.

Also new are a number of “pocket parks,” small areas of green space, usually including a couple of benches and designed to benefit a nearby neighborhood.

Although many in Sarasota County might not be able to pinpoint just where Nokomis is, one county planner is impressed with how much the small community means to the people who call it home.

“The people there love their community,” says Jane Grogg, Sarasota County's manager for neighborhood services. “There's a small-town feel to Nokomis, and a real sense of pride. They have a desire to improve things, and have worked so hard for it.”