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Siesta Key Today
By the People, for the People
Siesta Key Launches Beautification Alliance After Storm Damage
The alliance aims to restore infrastructure and enhance the island's appeal for residents and visitors.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:00pm
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The vibrant pop art celebration of Siesta Key's community-driven beautification efforts aims to restore the island's status as a top Florida tourist destination.Siesta Key TodaySiesta Key, Florida is still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. In response, local business owners have created the Siesta Key Beautification Alliance to speed up the restoration process and prepare the island for future storms. The alliance's top priorities include improving storm drains, fixing lift stations, and upgrading infrastructure like sidewalks and bike lanes. They have received approval from the Sarasota County Commission to receive funding for their efforts and are now in the process of forming a task force and hosting public workshops to gather input from the community.
Why it matters
The Siesta Key Beautification Alliance is an important initiative to help the barrier island community recover from the significant damage caused by recent hurricanes and make the island more resilient for the future. By focusing on infrastructure improvements and community engagement, the alliance aims to restore Siesta Key to its former glory as a top tourist destination while also enhancing the quality of life for local residents and business owners.
The details
After Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, many businesses on Siesta Key were forced to shut down for months to rebuild from the ground up. CB's Saltwater Outfitters, a 50-year-old shop, had to gut the entire interior of their store due to flooding. Even nearly two years later, there is still significant work to be done around the island. The Siesta Key Beautification Alliance was formed to help speed up the restoration process and prepare for future storms. The alliance's top priorities include improving storm drains, fixing lift stations, and upgrading infrastructure like sidewalks and bike lanes. They have received unanimous approval from the Sarasota County Commission to receive funding for their efforts and are now in the process of electing a task force and hosting public workshops to gather input from the community.
- Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Siesta Key in 2024.
- It has been almost two years since the hurricanes hit the barrier island.
The players
Siesta Key Beautification Alliance
A local organization formed by Siesta Key business owners and residents to help restore the island and prepare it for future storms.
CB's Saltwater Outfitters
A 50-year-old shop on Siesta Key that was forced to shut down for three months and gut the entire interior of their store due to flooding from Hurricane Milton.
Mason Tush
The co-owner of CB's Saltwater Outfitters who is a member of the Siesta Key Beautification Alliance.
Natalie Gutwein
A spokesperson for the Siesta Key Beautification Alliance.
Sarasota County Commission
The local government body that has provided unanimous approval for the Siesta Key Beautification Alliance to receive funding for their restoration efforts.
What they’re saying
“We did end up with water inside the building, so we had to gut the entire inside of the building down to the studs and put new slat wall up for retail.”
— Mason Tush, Co-owner, CB's Saltwater Outfitters
“After the hurricanes, we realized that we needed some help out here. Things were just tired. There had been a beautification effort 18 years ago in the village on Siesta Key, and we have tried to keep that up, but it really has not worked out.”
— Natalie Gutwein, Spokesperson, Siesta Key Beautification Alliance
“We just want everything to be bright, clean, beautiful, and taken care of, not just for visitors. This is more for the residents and business owners than it is for anybody.”
— Natalie Gutwein, Spokesperson, Siesta Key Beautification Alliance
“Things that we needed to focus on before the storm include infrastructure. Stormwater is a problem here on the quay, along with proper sidewalks, appropriate width and size of sidewalks, and bike lanes. I believe that underground utilities would be very helpful.”
— Mason Tush, Co-owner, CB's Saltwater Outfitters
“I hope that we can continue with this beautification alliance and create a resort-quality island that continues to receive top designations and brings people back.”
— Mason Tush, Co-owner, CB's Saltwater Outfitters
What’s next
The Siesta Key Beautification Alliance is in the process of electing a task force and hosting a public workshop so more people on the island can share what still needs to be restored from the previous hurricanes.
The takeaway
The Siesta Key Beautification Alliance is a crucial initiative to help the barrier island community recover from significant storm damage and prepare for future hurricanes. By focusing on infrastructure improvements and community engagement, the alliance aims to restore Siesta Key's status as a top tourist destination while also enhancing the quality of life for local residents and business owners.
