Our History
Venice Thrives is the successor of Venice Unites, a broad coalition formed in 2023 that was comprised of Save Downtown Venice, the North Venice Neighborhood Alliance, the Central Venice Coalition, the Venice Area Audubon Society, the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, and the Concerned Citizens for Historic Venice, and whose membership included the founder of the Venice Area Historical Society, one of the founders of Venice Main Street, former City of Venice elected officials, and former and current City Council members including a member of the Charter Committee.
Today, we are building on that history as a dynamic and growing group of residents working to protect what makes Venice special.
Venice remains a historic, charming city on the Gulf by:
- Engaging in thoughtful, sustainable development that complies with our Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations (LDRs) for height and density and mitigates flooding and traffic congestion; while also
- Protecting our beaches, water quality, green spaces/parks, walkability and wildlife;
- Preserving our city’s history, sense of place, and beautiful architecture; and
- Maintaining the tranquil, small community warmth and quality of life envisioned by John Nolen’s plan and enjoyed by our residents and visitors.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Venice Thrives will protect what makes Venice special by:
- Identifying key challenges and opportunities that affect our community both on and off the island;
- Engaging, educating, and activating the Venice community about these issues; and
- Amplifying community voices to key decision makers at the city, county, and state level.
Some of Venice Thrives’ key priorities in 2025:
- Seaboard Development
- Airport Master Plan
- Beach Repair & Access (Caspersen & South Jetty)
- Venice City Parks Master Plan
- Environmental Impacts of Overdevelopment
- State vs. City/County Control of Development
- Any other key issues that we believe warrant resident input at the City, County and/or State level to protect what makes Venice special.
Our Current Priorities
Venice Thrives is:
- Non-Partisan
- Fact-Based
- Respectful
- Undaunted