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MKSK outlines downtown master-plan approach for Sarasota, emphasizes data and community engagement
Summary
Consultants from MKSK described a six-step downtown planning process that pairs data analysis (including cell-phone data) with extensive community engagement and implementation strategies; the team cited past award-winning projects and named local and national partners.
MKSK principals presented their downtown planning approach to the advisory committee, emphasizing data-driven analysis, inclusive engagement and an implementation focus.
Andrew Overback introduced the firm and described MKSK as an employee-owned collective of planners, landscape architects and urban designers. “My name's Andrew Overback. I'm a planner and principal with MKSK,” he said. Luis Cabo, the firm's associate principal and project manager for this work, said the team typically follows a six-step process that begins with homework and data analysis and moves through stakeholder engagement, visioning, project prioritization and implementation.
Luis described how MKSK uses a mix of data sources to understand downtown patterns and tailor engagement. “We looked at cell phone data for downtown Sarasota. We quickly learned that, you know, you all have increased your daily visitors since 2019, kind of bucking a national trend,” he said, and emphasized tailoring events and outreach to reach both residents and visitors.
The team listed teaming partners including Development Strategies for land-use and real-estate strategy and WSP for transportation and resilience. MKSK also identified local collaborators (MHCP CoLab and REG Architects) to support engagement, architecture and historic-preservation work.
Committee members asked about firm awards, resiliency experience in coastal/hurricane environments, local staffing and techniques for engaging underrepresented voices. MKSK cited an American Planning Association award of excellence for the Columbus riverfront work and International Downtown Association awards for other downtown plans. On resiliency, the team said they have worked in Hilton Head and routinely team with technical specialists to design for floodable conditions.
MKSK described engagement tactics used in other cities, from online surveys to creative in-person activities such as scavenger hunts and pop-up tables at community events, and stressed the importance of developing a public-participation plan up front. They also described implementation tools they use to move plans to action, such as short-term “100-day” action strategies tied to deadlines and funding windows.
The presentation closed with a request that, if selected, MKSK would work with staff and the advisory committee to shape stakeholder groups and the engagement schedule.
