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Sarasota Florida Named the # 4 "Smartest City

    Posted November 18, 2009

    The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) just ranked the city of Sarasota Florida at the # 4 spot on its list of the top small “Smarter Cities,” in recognition of the quality of its air and water as well as its environmental standards and participation in programs like green buildings, green space and recycling. Its transportation network and standard of living were also part of the evaluation. "Smarter Cities" are considered to be more efficient, more livable and cleaner communities to live in.

    The city of Sarasota was scored by www.smartercities.nrdc.org, thewebsite of the Natural Resources Defense Council. The city of Sarasota ranked 4th after Bellingham, WA, Mountain View, CA and Norwalk, CT among cities with populations of 50,000 to 100,000.

    The SmarterCities.nrdc.org website said: “... Sarasota has involved its residents through environmental education at schools, community groups including the local women’s club and Boys & Girls Club, and outreach programs like Sustainability Advocacy Volunteer Educators, which provides green internships for high school and college students. “

    To increase public awareness of the need for water conservation and protection, Sarasota started a water quality program in 1989. The city’s water system now reclaims 70% of waste water annually. Conservation-pricing encourages consumers and businesses to use less water. Watering of lawns is limited to just one day per week. Sarasota has even started a "rain-barrel demonstration" project at City Hall for watering flower beds without sprinklers, and created a how-to guide for residents to use at home. To protect local landscapes and irrigate efficiently as well as to promote native growth and wildlife, the city encourages Florida-friendly landscaping through websites like floridayards.org.

    According to Brian Ward, a Sarasota FL real estate expert, the city helped establish the "Sarasota Bay Estuary Program," dedicated to protecting Sarasota Bay and its connecting waterways. Sarasota even has a "Green Business Directory" giving visibility to those businesses which provide green products and services.

    “The city’s Environmental Management Task Force, formed in 2007, is drafting a Local Climate Action Plan. In April 2008, the city created a full-time Environmental Services position. The city government expedites permits for Green Development and Green Building.”

    A few examples exhibit the dedication of the community and its residents to environmental quality. Since initiating a "tree-planting" program in 2000, over 100,000 trees have been planted in City right-of-ways. Sarasota has committed $1.5 million in the next 10 years to the "Green Canopy Partnership" tree-planting program. The North Sarasota Public Library was only the second library structure in the nation to be certified as a "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" LEED Gold structure for its use of low-VOC paint and carpeting, water-wise landscaping, and use of recycled building materials.

    There is a lot to like about Sarasota Florida including its warm balmy climate, abundant sunshine, golf courses of every type and level of difficulty, soft white beaches, and a vibrant assortment of recreational and cultural activities for every taste and budget. Sarasota offers big-city amenities with a small-town way of life, but its also refreshing to live in a community so actively involved in assuring that the quality of life currently enjoyed by residents stays that way and even improves over time.

    Contact a Florida realtor today. You may want to contact Bob Henley, a Sarasota realtor or Judie Berger if you want Sarasota luxury waterfront condo expert to learn more about this delightful Florida city.