The Sarasota Housing Authority Agency-Wide Residence Council (SHAARC) exists to make sure residents are informed, heard, and included in decisions that affect daily life. One of the biggest topics on the table right now? Parking in the Rosemary District.

Parking pressures in Rosemary aren’t new — but they are reaching a tipping point.

The Current Reality in Rosemary

A recent parking study shows the Rosemary District has 4,967 total parking spaces, including both on-street and off-street options. During peak season, the area is operating at about 88% occupancy, which exceeds the industry standard of 85%—the point at which parking starts to feel scarce and frustrating. Off-season usage drops significantly, but demand spikes during busy months, events, and tourism surges.

The study determined Rosemary needs at least 216 additional parking spaces to meet current and future demand Rosemary Parking Presentation U….

The McCown Towers Parking Proposal

To address the shortage, the City of Sarasota is exploring adding public parking within the McCown Towers garage, in coordination with the Sarasota Housing Authority.

Key points under consideration:

• Two potential options:
  • 80 public parking spaces (one level)
  • 160 public parking spaces (two levels)
• Each level would provide approximately 80 spaces
• The garage would be shared-use: residential parking for McCown Towers residents and public parking for the district
• Placement of public vs. residential parking (upper or lower levels) has not yet been finalized
• Estimated cost: $50,000 per space, totaling $4–8 million depending on size

This proposal aims to relieve parking pressure without displacing residents or reducing residential access.

The Big Question: Paid Parking

One of the most important policy discussions tied to this proposal is whether on-street parking should remain free.

Currently:

• Rosemary has 555 unmetered on-street parking spaces
• 276 of those spaces serve commercial frontage
• Free on-street parking can discourage drivers from using a garage—making it harder for a new garage to cover operating and financing costs

City staff are evaluating scenarios that include:

• Charging for garage parking
• Installing meters on some or all commercial on-street spaces
• Adjusting hourly rates to balance fairness, access, and sustainability

No final decisions have been made—but these choices will directly impact residents, visitors, and local businesses.

Why This Matters to SHAARC Residents

Parking policy isn’t just a city planning issue—it affects:

• Resident access and mobility
• Visitor congestion
• Neighborhood quality of life
• Long-term affordability and development pressures

SHAARC’s role is to ensure residents understand the options, the trade-offs, and the potential impacts before decisions are finalized.

What Happens Next

The City Commission will consider several paths forward, including:

• Moving ahead with detailed garage planning
• Exploring paid on-street parking with or without a garage
• Or delaying action altogether

SHAARC encourages residents to stay informed, ask questions, and participate in upcoming discussions. Parking decisions made now will shape Rosemary’s future for decades—this is one of those “boring on paper, huge in real life” moments.

Have questions or concerns? SHAARC is here to listen, translate the fine print, and advocate for residents every step of the way.