BRADENTON BEACH – City officials want to reestablish some city-owned alleys that are currently obstructed by landscaping, equipment, debris and other obstacles.
During a Feb. 16 city commission meeting, Building Official Steve Gilbert said the first step is to get cost estimates to survey each alley to help determine where the city-owned alleys are located in relation to the privately-owned properties that abut them and how much it will cost to reestablish them.
“In the meantime, we can tell the folks that we are getting surveys done and they will get marked and eventually they’re going to get a notice to move their stuff out. I think you’ll find that some folks will move their things voluntarily when they find out you’re actually spending money to fix it,” Gilbert told the commission.
Gilbert said he and Public Works Director Tom Woodard have discussed reclaiming city-owned alleys many times during the past 10 years.
Woodard told the commission Manatee County recently had a water main break and the repair crew’s efforts were hindered by an inability to access the break area through an obstructed alley.
Mayor John Chappie said the water main break occurred in the alley between 24th and 25th Streets North and Avenues A and B.
Chappie suggested the alley between 25th and 26th Streets North as a potential starting place for the latest alley reestablishment efforts.
Commissioner Jake Spooner said reestablishing the alley between 23rd and 24th Streets North would provide a nice walkway for pedestrians.
Chappie noted there are no funds budgeted in the current fiscal year for alley reclamation projects. Gilbert said there might be enough funds to clear one alley during the current fiscal year, depending on the estimated cost. Chappie said additional funds will need to be budgeted for additional alley-clearing projects in future fiscal years.
“If we’re going to do this, it needs to be notified,” Woodard said. “That’s the first step. The people encroaching in the alley that are causing the problems are aware of what they’ve done. I’ve already been threatened. I had some guy pull a gun on me.”
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said, “We’ve been talking about alleys for quite a few years. People are already anticipating we’re going to do something. It’s not going to be a surprise.”
In reference to a previous alley reclamation discussion that took place last November, Woodard said some residents and property owners along the 2500 block of Gulf Drive North want that alley cleared and reopened.
During that November discussion, it was noted that a large grass-covered mound is blocking most of the alley behind the vacation rental/resort structure located at 2503 Gulf Drive North. Another portion of that alley is blocked by palm trees. A visit to the alley in November also revealed a construction dumpster blocking the north end of the alley.
Commissioner Ralph Cole said he wants to know how much it will cost to re-establish the alleys before moving forward with those efforts. He then made a motion authorizing Gilbert to get cost estimates for the alley surveys and the commission unanimously supported his motion.
