Downtown Sarasota looks as charming as ever, with the sea breeze, the art, and the quiet hum of local life. But beneath that easy rhythm, the city is quietly getting smarter. From Wi-Fi benches to bayfront sensors and AI-powered traffic lights, Sarasota is weaving technology into its everyday beauty, one subtle upgrade at a time.
From Charm to Connectivity
Sarasota has always sold sunshine and sophistication, but the past few years have been so full of technology that even that seduction runs on Wi-Fi signals and touchscreen taps. The city has discreetly moved to a digitally connected community, where technology blends with day-to-day living rather than competing with each other.
Civic engagement occurs just as easily. Through SeeClickFix, citizens report maintenance issues in seconds, and Alert Sarasota sends text messages on storms and closures. Residents are planning weekends with Yelp, reserving restaurant tables with OpenTable, and purchasing event tickets with Eventbrite.
Any everyday interaction now passes through a web of digital tools. Homebuyers search Matterport 3D tours, paddlers use TideCharts to survey the body of water before heading out, and small retailers use Square and Shopify to accept payments seamlessly…