BRADENTON BEACH – In response to resident requests, the city will be installing pickleball guideline signs at the city courts in Herb Dolan Park and Lou Barolo Park.
Bradenton Beach resident Ed Dodge, along with other pickleball players, attended several city commission meetings and asked for rules to be posted at the pickleball courts, specifically to avoid having players monopolize the courts when others are waiting.
Modeled after the guidelines utilized at Manatee County-operated courts, the city commission, on March 5, adopted the following guidelines for the city’s pickleball courts:
• “Proper attire and footwear required
• “If people are waiting, finish your match and rotate out until your turn comes up again;
• “If no one is waiting, you may continue playing.”
“We adjusted the county rules a little bit,” Mayor John Chappie said. “It’s always been laid back at Dolan and Barolo on the honor system. One might say it’s more of a suggestion that people follow these guidelines.
The city eliminated the following from the county rules:
• “No pets allowed;
• “No playing of music;
• “No profanity or foul language;
• “Smoking/Vaping prohibited in park.”
“The rules are going to work just fine,” Dodge said. “We’re not going to have any problems.”
Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce expressed concern about the enforcement of the guidelines.
“I think if we put a sign up, people are going to assume we put it there and it’s going to be enforceable,” she said.
Commissioner Ralph Cole asked if the city is obligated to enforce the rules.
Filling in for City Attorney Erica Augello, attorney Robert Eschenfelder said. “If you sometimes enforce and sometimes don’t enforce, you may be accused of selective enforcement. I always recommend if you’re going to adopt a rule, make sure you’re willing to evenly enforce it. If you put it in your code, it becomes a code violation issue, but if you just post this is what we would like to happen in this park, I don’t see any issue with that.”
“If folks are coming from different places and the rules are different, and we have something posted there, it stops the back and forth,” Commissioner Scott Bear said.
Commissioner Robert Talham said he didn’t think the rules were needed.
“It’s one more thing we have to worry about,” he said. “We don’t need more rules. We need enforcement. Are we going to enforce this? No.”
Chappie said he preferred characterizing the signs as offering guidelines, as opposed to calling them rules.
“I like what you came up with,” Dodge said. “This will take all the conflict out. We’re just trying to make sure it’s fair.”
The motion to put up signs with guidelines at both city pickleball courts passed unanimously.
If you have any friends or relatives north of South Carolina and straight up to the northern environs of Maine, it’s safe to call them and say the temperatures are going up, the snow is melting, and if you listen carefully, you’ll also hear sounds of the “housing thaw.”
On February 26, a day that will live in the hearts of all mortgage brokers and real estate agents, the mortgage interest rate fell below 6%.
This was the first time in more than three years, and it could mark an important psychological threshold. Mortgage rates briefly topped 7% last January, but rates have steadily fallen since then. Mortgage brokers discuss the 5% rate zone as the key to getting the market moving. Buyers are starting to recognize that 3% rates aren’t going to happen again and a rate between 5% and 6% is the new norm.
In spite of the fact that economists say it’s unlikely that rates will move substantially from low 6% to high 5%, the fact that it’s moving at all may get that pool of buyers off the sidelines before all of the good properties are snapped up. If this imaginary pool of buyers doesn’t get moving, they’re risking rates going lower, creating more buyer competition and ultimately pushing home prices higher and offsetting the gain of lower rates. Now could very well be the sweet spot for buyers to buy.
Businesses that cater to home sales, like Home Depot, Lowe’s and furniture and appliance stores, are also vested in the real estate market and are watching very carefully for the next step. Any positive economic movement will create new confidence in the real estate market aimed directly at the wannabe homeowners.
Spring is traditionally the season to sell homes, giving families the ability to move over the summer, before school starts. Florida’s market is not geared so much for school enrollment, but the spring season typically generates the most contracts and closings. Part of the reason is potential buyers who are renting during the winter in Florida are looking around and making buying decisions before they leave.
This year has been slow for both buyers and renters, so I’m anxious to see the sales statistics for April and May to determine if breaking that 6% threshold has any impact on sales.
Before I close this column out, the Bradenton Herald had a story a few weeks ago about where Manatee County transplants are moving from. In 2025, 1,332 New Yorkers exchanged their driver’s licenses in Manatee County, marking a 59% increase from pre-pandemic levels. This was the first time since 2022 that a single state topped the migration list.
Following New York, the top contributors to Manatee County’s new residents came from New Jersey, Illinois and Pennsylvania.
Even the western states saw significant migration growth to Manatee County. Washington, Idaho and California, (with a 65% rise) are next in terms of high migration to Manatee County.
I wasn’t surprised about California, since my favorite checkout person at the Holmes Beach Publix told me that about six months ago.
Small reductions in interest rates may not sound like they will influence buyers significantly, however, if you do the math, over a 20- or 30-year period, an eighth or a quarter of a percentage point adds up.
The timing of this rate drop couldn’t be more perfect since demand has been growing for the past few years with low inventory and high rates. However, you will have to listen carefully to hear the cracking of the housing ice. It’s only a whisper now, but pretty soon it could be a roar.
This story was updated on Wednesday, March 11, at 11:45 a.m. This story was updated on Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m.
BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners approved the first reading of a city ordinance that will bring the city into compliance with a state law requiring local governments to adopt an ordinance regarding milestone condominium inspections and inspection-related repairs.
The city ordinance presented to the city commission on March 5, referenced condo buildings three stories tall and higher, but the state law pertaining milestone condominium inspection requirements pertains to condo buildings that have three or more habitable stories.
City Ordinance 26-566 amends chapter 26 of the city’s code of ordinances and addresses statutory requirements for milestone inspections of condominiums and cooperatives. On March 12, City Attorney Erica Augello told The Sun the city ordinance will be amended to include the word “habitable” when presented for second reading and final adoption on Thursday, March 19.
The ordinance proposed and adopted on first reading on March 5, includes language that says, “A condominium association and a cooperative association must have a milestone inspection performed for each building that is three stories or more in height by Dec. 31 of the year in which the building reaches 30 years of age, or 25 years if the building is located within three miles of the coastline, based on the date the certificate of occupancy for the building was issued, and every 10 years thereafter. The inspections consist of a Phase 1 visual inspection, with a Phase 2 inspection performed if further testing is required.”
Sec. 26-132 of the proposed city ordinance includes a registration process for condominium and cooperatively owned buildings: “In order to determine the inventory of structures in the enforcement area, all existing commercial and residential buildings operating as cooperatives or condominiums which are not single-family homes and are two stories in height – including parking levels as a floor – and taller shall register with the building and planning department by July 1, 2026,” the ordinance says.
The registration process proposed in the city ordinance would require the condominium and co-op associations or boards to identify the property type for each condo or co-op building; and identify whether each building is three stories tall or higher, or less than three stories tall. Where applicable, the ordinance would require assoication contact information for each building, including the registered agent or party responsible for receiving legal notices. Where applicable, the ordinance would require each building to disclose the contact information for the condo association or co-op board president.
As currently written, the city ordinance does not reference habitable stories and does not specifically address the inspection requirements for condominum buildings that feature two habitable stories located above a ground-level parking area – a scenario that’s very common in Bradenton Beach, and also in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.
Regarding milestone inspections, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website says, “All residential condominiums and cooperative buildings (included mixed-ownership buildings) in the state of Florida that are three or more habitable stories in height are required to have a MI (milestone inspection) when the building reaches certain age.”
Regarding milestone condominium inspections, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation website references habitable stories. – DBPR | Submitted
On Wednesday, March 11, Bradenton Beach Building Official Rob Perry responded to The Sun’s inquiries that sought clarification as to which condo buildings are subject to the state’s milestone inspection laws.
In his March 11 email to The Sun, Perry said Florida Statute 553.899 regulates milestone inspections and those regulations pertain to condominium buildings that have three or more stories of habitable space. He said parking and storage areas are not considered habitable space, as defined in Chapter 2 of the Florida Building Code. Perry said the state’s milestone inspection regulations do not apply to a single-family, two-family or three-family dwelling with three or fewer habitable stories above ground.
When asked why the city ordinance language does not mention habitable stories, Perry said there was some “confusion” due to an amendment to the state law in 2025.
The milestone inspection requirements enacted as new state law in 2024 referred to condominum buildings or cooperatively owned buildings that are “three stories or more” in height and meet the building age specification. In 2025, the Florida Legisature amended the state law with the adoption of HB 913 – a bill that clarified the state’s milestone inspection regulations would apply only to condominium and cooperatively-owned buildings that are three “habitable” stories or more in height and meet the building age specification.
These Runaway Bay condominiums are two stories tall, with no parking underneath the structures. – Lance Roy | Sun
City Attorney Erica Augello was not present at the March 5 city commission meeting, so attorney Robert Eschenfelder, from the same law firm, represented the city.
“As Ms. Augello pointed out to you in her memo, the legislature adopted a law last year that requires cities and counties to adopt reporting obligation ordinances; and at the local level, enforce them,” Eschenfelder told the commission.
According to the proposed city ordinance, “Milestone inspection means a structural inspection of a building, including an inspection of load-bearing elements, primary structural members and primary structural systems as those terms are defined by the Florida Building Code or the Florida Statutes, whichever definition is broader, by an inspector for the purposes of attesting to the life safety and adequacy of the structural components of the building; and, to the extent reasonably possible, determining the general structural condition of the building as it affects the safety of such building, including a determination of any necessary maintenance, repair or replacement of any structural component of the building.”
Commissioners Robert Talham and Ralph Cole, Mayor John Chappie, commissioners Scott Bear and Deborah Scaccianoce and attorney Robert Eschenfelder discussed milestone inspections ordinance. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Eschenfelder referenced the 2021 partial collapse of a 12-story beachfront condominium building in Surfside, Florida.
“You all recall that two sessions ago they (the Florida Legislature) adopted these new heightened standards for condominiums in the aftermath of the condominium across the state that collapsed. And coming out of that, there was a question of how do we manage, how do we know that they’re doing these inspections? So, the legislature sort of put them on local government and the building officials to make sure that happens,” Eschenfelder said.
“The ordinance that Ms. Augello drafted for you just pretty much copies the verbiage of the statute that we’re mandated to do. Ms. Augello worked with the building official to make sure he understands his role here. And it establishes the fees that they pay, as well as the fines that they’ll pay if they’re not in compliance,” he said.
Milestone inspections
Upon completion of a milestone inspection, the inspector who performed the inspection must submit a sealed copy of the inspection report with a separate summary of the material findings and the recommendations included in the inspection report to the condo or co-op association and the city’s building official.
“Inspector means a Florida actively licensed architect or engineer with experience in multi-story structural design who is specifically insured for performing ‘milestone inspection’ work,” the ordinance states.
The ordinance states, “In the event a structure is determined to be unsafe for habitation, including but not limited to a danger of collapse, during the phase one or phase two inspection, the inspector shall notify the association within 12 hours of the determination. The association shall notify owners based on the instruction of the inspector. In no event shall the notice to owners exceed 24 hours after the association’s receipt of the notice of the unsafe condition. The inspector must report findings that a property is unsafe for habitation, including but not limited to a danger of collapse, to the city’s building official and the county fire marshal within 24 hours of the determination.”
The ordinance says the city’s building and planning department will serve as the local enforcement agency for the state’s inspection and reporting requirements.
On Feb. 19, Bradenton Beach Building Official Rob Perry told the city commission the required milestone inspections had been completed in Bradenton Beach.
In a March 7 email to The Sun, Perry wrote: “Inspections are performed by private engineering professionals, not the city. We only verify they performed inspections.”
Voters in the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District (WMFR) rejected the fire district’s request to levy a new millage rate-based property tax on properties located in the fire district that includes Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Cortez and portions of unincorporated Manatee County in west Bradenton.
According to the unofficial results posted at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website on Tuesday evening, 1,864 voters (56.06%) oppossed the proposed tax and 1,461 voters (43.94%) supported the proposed tax.
The additional tax sought by WMFR appeared on the ballot as this: “Shall the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District be authorized to levy and collect an annual ad valorem tax on real property in an amount not to exceed 1 mill to provide additional operational revenue to fund the district’s fire control and rescue services, infrastructure and facilities, including emergency medical services?”
According to the proposed ad valorem calculator at the WMFR website, the owner of a home with an assessed taxable value of $548,958 would have paid an additional $274 tax if the annual millage rate was set at .5 mills. The annual WMFR tax would have been $548 on that home if the annual millage rate was set at the full 1 mill.
Only voters living in the West Manatee Fire District were eligible to vote in the taxation authorization referendum election. The special election occurred at a time when state legislators and Gov. Ron DeSantis have expressed support for eliminating or significantly reducing non-school district-related property taxes.
Already operating as a special taxing district, WMFR operations are funded by the annual square footage-based assessment WMFR levies on properties within the district. Due to the election results, West Manatee Fire Rescue will remain one of only two fire districts in Manatee County that does not receive additional millage rate-based property tax funding.
When discussing the proposed property tax with The Sun earlier this year, WMFR Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski said the fire district’s annual budget is appproximately $12 million.
Locally, we’re blessed with an amazing fishery and a natural world that supports it. As good as the fishing can be close by, every angler has an urge to experience someplace that’s unique, less crowded and rich in wildlife and fish.
If you’re thinking Cuba, the Bahamas, Belize or Argentina, you’d be right. You might also be surprised that such a destination exists less than two hours to our north. Aptly branded the “Nature Coast” by the chamber of commerce, this region is noted for its springs, rivers, wildlife preserves and manatees. Anchored in the south by the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, and to the north by Waccasassa Bay, the coast harbors the popular tourist destinations of Homosassa and Crystal River, but also miles of wild coastal habitat teaming with redfish, trout, snook and tarpon (seasonally).
At the beginning of March, Captain Rick Grassett and I joined our friend, Captain Bryon Chamberlin, for two days of exploring the extreme backwaters of Chassahowitzka Bay.
By extreme, I mean the kind of water I would never attempt to reach in my boat (if I could) and an area where you can fish all day and never see another boat nearby. That’s made possible with Chamberlin’s 17.5-foot Sabine – an all-aluminum flats boat that’s powered by a Gator Tail 40 HP outboard motor, giving him access to waters only inches deep. That’s a tall order in an area studded with limestone reefs, rock hard bottom and oyster beds.
When I inquired about a trip in the early winter, Chamberlin suggested a couple of days at the first of March when he targets large snook. His strategy is to mine the deep basins and pools that dot the refuge and provide sanctuary to fish on the low winter tides. While the fishing is definitely the focus of the trip, I always find myself exclaiming that the ride alone is worth the “price of admission!”
Chamberlin has been fishing the area for several decades and he’s also an avid photographer and naturalist, as well as an accomplished guide. The day’s main targets were reds, trout and snook, but pursuing them was blended with scenic rides through the rich habitat replete with bald eagles, hawks, river otters and manatees.
We departed each of our two morning trips from the Chassahowitzka River Campground, where Chamberlin launches his boat. The campground and ramp are located on the banks of the Chassahowitzka River that’s formed from numerous springs, giving access to the larger preserve.
We started the first day early enough to take advantage of the light for photographing the scenic river and its inhabitants, encountering eagles, kingfishers, herons and otter along the way. When the light was up, we motored into the far reaches of the preserve where only fools and knowledgeable guides fear to tread. We found the action a bit slow for the redfish and trout we expected, but the snook fishing, while not red hot, yielded the largest snook on the fly for both of us. Before noon, I hooked and landed a 34-inch snook and Grassett landed one a bit over 33 inches.
Our second day started at 5:30 a.m. so we could photograph the lunar eclipse and “blood moon” deep in the refuge at dawn. Chamberlin had scouted out a location where he could frame the setting moon with a faraway palm hammock. The ride in darkness down the sinuous river was only illuminated occasionally when the setting moon was eerily reflected on the water’s surface as our guide’s spotlight scanned the shoreline. After a 20-minute ride that would have been harrowing if not for our confidence in our guide, we landed at the chosen spot and set up tripods.
Byron Chamberlin photographed the “blood moon” and the lunar eclipse from a boat on the Chassahowitzka River, a couple hours north of Anna Maria Island. – Byron Chamberlin | Submitted
The experience was unique and picturesque in the predawn light; and after our photo session, we were treated to a ride through the twisting waterways that weave and embroider this “untouched” natural wonderland. While we waited for the tide to drop, we reveled in the photographic opportunities the area provided as we sought out the eagles, wading birds and other raptors that make this area home.
The fishing proved both challenging and productive as redfish and trout were again elusive. Chamberlin knows the area well and his local knowledge allowed him to bounce from spot to spot where we all managed to catch nice snook, a few trout, ladyfish and one redfish. True to form, our trip back to the ramp that afternoon was an exciting journey through twisting channels, sharp bends and narrow passages.
I highly recommend a trip (or trips) to this productive and breathtaking part of Florida that’s only a short trip to our north. The opportunities abound from Chassahowitzka to Cedar Key. A quick look at a map will confirm my recommendation!
Rusty Chinnis shared this video of their Chassahowitzka explorations.
CORTEZ – Following the Feb. 1 closing of Slicker’s Eatery, the leased restaurant space at 12012 Cortez Road has been transformed under new ownership into a diner with a new name: Izzy’s Place.
Long-time restaurateur and owner Tom Theophilopoulos had been looking to open a restaurant in the area. When the Slicker’s Eatery space recently became available, he jumped at the chance to fill the need for what he said was a good diner in the area.
“I’ve been looking for a place here for years, especially in the last year,” he said. “Charles Leduc had been helping me and one day he called me up and said, ‘I got you a place.’”
Theophilpoulos said his intent is to serve good American fare at good prices in a nice atmosphere. The diner is currently open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and serves breakfast and lunch. Beginning on or around March 12, dinner will also be served until 8 p.m.
The Izzy’s Place breakfast menu includes waffles. – Izzy’s Place | Submitted
The Izzy’s Place breakfast menu includea omelets, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, breakfast bowls and French toast. The lunch menu includes sandwiches and wraps, salads, burgers, chicken and a kid’s menu.
Dinner specials will include all-you-can-eat pasta on Thursdays; all-you-can eat fish and chips on Fridays and either barbecue or Greek dishes such as souvlaki (shish kebabs) on Saturdays.
Izzy’s Place serves Homemade Meatloaf. – Izzy’s Place | Submitted
“On Sundays, I want to do a really nice buffet brunch, starting in about two weeks,” Theophilopoulos said. “Along the back room, there will be an egg station with omelets. Then there will be three tables, U-shaped, with bacon, potatoes, a cold cut platter, shrimp and a carving station alternating roast beef, ham or roast turkey, along with mimosas and bloody marys.
Izzy’s Place serves breakfast. – Izzy’s Place | Submitted
Scott Bouchard will be doing much of the cooking.
“He’s a local guy; quite well known, I understand. He worked at a bunch of restaurants around here. When I talked to Bob (Slicker), I said I’d love to take in your staff and Scott was the only one who stayed.”
“He’s a really good cook. He’s got a good heart,” Theophilpoulos said. “I’ve been in business forever and have seen all sorts of cooks. Some really take it to heart and have pride in what they do; others don’t. Scott takes it to heart and he takes pride in his work.”
Theophilopoulos’ experience working in restaurants goes back to working in his father’s Montreal deli beginning at age 13. He’s managed restaurants professionally for decades.
“I’ve been in business a really long time, 40-plus years,” he said on March 4. “I’ve been director of operations at four restaurant chains. I ran the Hard Rock Cafes in Canada and the northeast United States. I’ve opened three concept restaurants, and this is my fourth”.
Izzy’s Place opened in the space formerly occupied by Slicker’s Eatery. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Izzy’s Place maintains a similar layout to the former Slicker’s Eatery but has been given what Theophilopoulos said is a “beachy vibe,” with lighter colors and nautical artwork. Theophilopoulos is keeping the black chairs from Slicker’s Eatery. Those chairs contain personal messages for which supporters and friends paid $500 each to help support Slicker’s Eatery’s hurricane recovery.
“Bob Slicker was here for five years, so a lot of people don’t know we’ve changed,” Theophilpoulos said. “I’d like to get the word out and have people come by and try us.”
Izzy’s Place was named for Theophilopoulos’ five-year-old Havapoo dog and Izzy’s image is featured on the diner’s signs.
Theophilopoulos is currently hiring.
“I still need kitchen people, especially, and a couple of servers,” he said. “Everybody here right now is really good, but I need more people.”
BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners adopted a city resolution on March 5 that extends the expiration date of the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) through 2047.
The commission action was taken in response to state legislation which would sunset the Bradenton Beach CRA in 2039, absent a city commission extension.
The intent of a CRA is to collect additional tax revenues to address and eliminate blight in a designated CRA district. When the Bradenton Beach CRA was formed in 1992, the Bridge Street area was considered blighted. In the decades that followed, numerous CRA-funded projects and initiatives helped transform the Bridge Street area into the thriving business district it is today.
The CRA board consists of the mayor and the four city commissioners. Working in unison with the city government, the Bradenton Beach CRA operates as a separate entity with its own annual budget, which is controlled by the CRA members.
The CRA receives a portion of the property tax revenues collected from the residential and commercial properties located in the CRA district that extends from the southern side of the Cortez Bridge to the southernmost property lines along Fifth Street South. The city is also obligated to make an annual contribution to the CRA, using money from the city’s general fund.
In October, the CRA members discussed coming into compliance with state statutory requirements after CRA Chair Scott Bear, Police Chief John Cosby and City Treasurer Shayne Thompson attended The Florida Redevelopment Association’s annual conference in West Palm Beach.
“One of the things that I took away was in 2019 there was legislation that said every CRA will sunset in 2039, regardless of what is in the (CRA) plan,” Bear said during the October 2025 CRA meeting. “Our current CRA plan has us going into 2046 or 47. The legislation sunsets us in 2039 unless we do a resolution requesting approval to extend the sunset beyond 2039. So, we’re going to need to get that resolution done quickly.”
Bear said the state legislation set a date of March 1, 2026, for the city to have a resolution approved and in place.
The city commission adopted the needed city resolution on March 5.
March discussion
During the March 5 city commission meeting, Resolution 26-993 was read aloud by Mayor John Chappie.
It states in part: “City of Bradenton Beach resolution of the city commission of Bradenton Beach, Florida, approving the existence of the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) through 2047 as adopted in the Community Redevelopment Agency 2017 plan.”
Attorney Robert Eschenfelder was advising the city commission that day due to City Attorney Erica Augello’s planned absence.
“It’s fairly simple,” Eschenfelder said. “You have to do this to keep the CRA alive.”
According to the new resolution, the Bradenton Beach CRA was created on Jan. 23, 1992.
The resolution states: “On June 21, 2018, the CRA adopted Resolution No. 18-894, adopting the 2017 amendment to the CRA plan and the 2017 plan extended the CRA for an additional 30 years, bringing the CRA to a conclusion in 2047. On April 6, 2017, the CRA advised Manatee County of its intent to extend the CRA for an additional 30 years.”
The new resolution notes that effective Oct. 1, 2019, state law mandated that a community redevelopment agency in existence as of that date shall terminate as of Oct. 1, 2019 or Sept. 30, 2039, whichever is earlier – unless the governing body (the city commission) that created the CRA approves its continued existence by a majority vote of the current governing body.
The city commission unanimously approved the adoption of Resolution 26-993 and extended the expiration date of the Bradenton Beach CRA through 2047.
The other two Anna Maria Island cities never had CRA districts.
ANNA MARIA – City commissioners will soon be asked to reach consensus regarding the possibility of transforming the fully-enclosed City Pier building previously occupied by Mote Marine into an open-air space that utilizes “hurricane-proof” retractable sliding doors on at least two sides.
Mayor Mark Short presented the open-air building shell scenario during the Thursday, March 5 ,Anna Maria City Commission workshop. On Thursday, March 12, at 1 p.m., Short will seek commission consensus to move forward with getting price quotes to replace some of the pier building walls with sliding doors. If supported by the commission, the price quotes would be sought through the city’s request for proposals (RFP) process.
During the March 12 meeting, the commission will not be asked to decide whether the larger pier building previously occupied by Mote Marine will be utilized as a full-service restaurant, an open-air cantina or something else.
MAYOR’S PRESENTATION
Before discussing the future configuration and future use of the vacated T-end pier building, Short began the March 5 discussion by providing updates on the state of the City Pier walkway reconstruction, repair and remediation project.
Short said the total estimated cost of the pier project remains in the $7.1 million to $7.8 million range he previously estimated. He said, to date the city has spent slightly more than $2 million on the pier project and that includes engineering and design work, and the demolition work and debris removal needed for the pier walkway that was destroyed by Hurricane Milton in 2024.
Short included in his presentation a cost estimate that includes $700,000-$900,000 to repair the T-end platform decking and buildings, the bathrooms, the lighting and more. The total estimated cost also includes $500,000-$600,000 to install new electrical, water, sewage and natural gas lines and connections.
Regarding the project funding, Short mentioned the $1.25 million state appropriation approved last year, up to $2 million in recently approved county funds and FEMA’s recently stated obligation to provide $3.6 million in future reimbursements for the hurricane-related pier project. Short said the state, county and federal funding obligations total $6.84 million and the city will cover any remaining and additional costs.
FUTURE USE
Short noted current pier tenant Brian Seymour still has 15 months remaining on his five-year lease that was originally scheduled to be extended or allowed to terminate on Dec. 31, 2025. If Seymour decides to resume his pier-based City Pier Grill & Bait Shop operations in the smaller pier building, the remaining 15 months of the lease would resume when that space can be occupied and his business operations can resume.
Seymour also has the option to extend his existing lease for five more years. Seymour previously expressed interest in renegotiating his lease to include the larger pier building.
The smaller pier building leased to Brian Seymour is outlined in blue, the public restrooms are outlined in orange and the larger pier building previously occupied by Mote Marine is outlined in green. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted
Short said the city has the option to expand Seymour’s current lease to include the larger pier building, but the city is not obligated to do so.
Short said he anticipates the city issuing a request for proposals (RFP) seeking multiple bids for the future use of the larger pier building.
Short told the commissioners he sees two viable options for the larger pier building: Keep the enclosed structure or issue an RFP seeking construction company bids to remove some walls and replace them with sliders. And after that, the commission would later determine the specific use for the open-air space.
Mayor Mark Short likes the flexibility provided by the open-air pier building scenario. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Short said the open-air scenario would create an additional 96 seats at the T-end of the pier, but that scenario does not assume a full-service, sit-down restaurant operating in that space.
Commissioner Charlie Salem asked if the existing City Pier Grill building could provide the adequate kitchen space needed for the open-air scenario. Short said that might be a possibility.
Short said pursuing the open-air option might delay the reopening of the pier.
Short said an enclosed restaurant space would provide 50 seats for restaurant patrons but would not provide any additional seating space for Gulf Islands Ferry passengers who aren’t eating or drinking in the establishment.
Short said installing sliders for an open-area scenario might take the $700,000-$900,000 he estimated for the T-end of the pier closer to the upper end of that price range, but he doesn’t expect the slider installations would exceed his current $900,000 top end estimate.
Salem said the city needs to consider the immediate needs of the next pier building tenant while also being able to accommodate the needs of a different tenant 30 years from now.
Commissioner Gary McMullen said the sliders would provide more options as to how the pier building can be used and he’s in favor of opening that space up with sliders.
Short said the commission should proceed under the assumption that there will be a county-funded Gulf Island Ferry landing attached to the City Pier and that needs to be factored into the commission’s decision-making process.
“The county is pretty adamant about that ferry,” McMullen added.
Salem said the county’s engineers might be able to incorporate some passenger seating in their ferry landing design. Short said that’s possible, but the county hasn’t provided any recent ferry landing updates.
Short noted the county’s ferry landing design will require city commission approval.
Commissioner Kathy Morgan-Johnson said she’d like to know how the pier building is going to be used before deciding whether to open it up by installing sliders. “And then design around that,” she said.
Commissioner Kathy Morgan-Johnson thinks the future use of the pier building should be determined first. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Salem said the city should provide the building shell it desires and then it’s up to the next tenant to figure out how to utilize that leased space.
Short said issuing an RFP for the building modifications might delay the reopening of the pier. He noted the RFP process generally takes 60-90 days from the issuance of the RFP to the selection of the preferred bidder. Short said replacing walls with sliders provides the city greater flexibility regarding the future use of that pier space.
PUBLIC INPUT
During public input, Anna Maria resident Ray Hyer said the existing building shell should be left as is and the next tenant can plan accordingly. Hyer said he’s remodeled 13 houses and it’s always more complicated and more expensive than originally expected.
Seymour noted sliders are already in place along the one wall that served as the main entrance to the Mote Marine facility. Seymour said he would reserve his opinion as to whether the building should remain enclosed or be opened up, but he said the building is more valuable to the city if the tenant is provided dedicated seating space for a restaurant.
City Pier Grill operator Brian Seymour is concerned about further delays with the pier reopening. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Anna Maria resident Barb Ehern said she likes the idea of people being able to use that pier space without being obliged to patronize the restaurant. She said the slider scenario would better serve city residents, the public and the ferry passengers.
“We should decide what we want there before we spend all this money opening it up and then maybe we change our mind,” Morgan-Johnson reiterated.
Short said taking no action on the building shell would default back to the current enclosed, four-wall scenario.
POST-MEETING THOUGHTS
After the meeting, Seymour said he was happy to hear Morgan-Johnson say she wanted the commission to determine the use of the building before determining whether to open it up by installing sliders.
Seymour said he’s concerned about the multiple RFP processes needed for the slider scenario further delaying the pier’s reopening.
He said the enclosed versus open-air scenarios will impact his decision on whether to resume his pier-based business operations.
“It’s two vastly different uses. One is a full-service restaurant on that side, with dedicated seating or one that’s very limited, with us using our existing space,” he said.
Seymour said he doesn’t think the 250-square-foot building that served as his City Pier Grill kitchen and food preparation space could adequately accommodate a larger restaurant.
He noted 77% of the people who responded to the city’s survey supported a full-service restaurant in the larger pier building and the majority of the Facebook comments he’s seen are in agreement.
Seymour thinks both pier buildings should be leased to the same tenant – as was the case when previous pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder leased both pier buildings for his restaurant and bait shop operations prior to Hurricane Irma’s arrival in 2017. Seymour said he’ll be disappointed if the mayor and commission decide to issue an RFP to open the larger building up without first meeting with him as the current pier tenant.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Keller Williams on the Water Realtor Kim Bowersox seeks the Island community’s help in her efforts to assist local shelter dogs.
“I’m currently organizing a collection drive for empty toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls and packaged dog treats to support the enrichment program at Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW). These are items most of us would normally recycle or throw away, yet they can serve a powerful purpose. Volunteers place treats inside the rolls and fold the ends to create scent puzzles that mentally stimulate the dogs, relieve anxiety and help burn off excess nervous energy,” Bowersox said.
“Enrichment programs like this make a real difference. Many shelter dogs come from difficult or traumatic situations and are understandably fearful, overstimulated or stressed in the shelter environment. Providing healthy outlets for that energy can help them feel calmer and more balanced, which in turn can make them more approachable and adoptable when potential families come to visit,” Bowersox said.
Bowersox’s collection drive was inspired by a Facebook post by For the Love of Dogs, a volunteer organization that supports Manatee County Animal Welfare.
“They highlighted how simple cardboard rolls can be used as enrichment tools for shelter dogs. That post really stuck with me and motivated me to find a way to involve our Island community,” she said.
“I’m hoping to reach both residents and visitors and encourage them to drop off items they would otherwise discard at several Island collection points. I will be collecting through March 15,” she said.
Kim Bowersox’s dog, Molly, is a rescue dog. – Kim Bowersox | Submitted
“This effort is also very personal to me. In December 2023, I adopted a dog from an Orlando shelter after she had spent 87 days there; and there were only three days left before she was scheduled to be euthanized. Now known as Molly, and formerly known as “Jellybean,” she arrived fearful, anxious, underweight at just 44 pounds and unsure of everything around her. The first six months required daily training, structure and patience. Today, she is a healthy 65 pounds, confident, playful and well-adjusted. Seeing firsthand how much work and support it can take for a dog to decompress from a shelter environment is what makes this enrichment program so meaningful to me. Small efforts from the community can truly make a life-changing difference,” Bowersox said.
Quinn, Molly and Bentley played together at the Scentral Park dog park in Holmes Beach. – Kim Bowersox | Submitted
The current drop-off location for toilet paper, paper towel rolls and dog treats are: The Center of Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria. The drop box is under the stairs by the lost and found; at Holmes Beach City Hall, inside the city hall lobby; and in the lobby of the Anna Maria Island Coffee Shack at 5500 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.
Paper rolls can also be dropped off at the Scentral Park dog park in Holmes Beach, but no dog treats should be left there. There are bags hanging in the shelter of the large and small dog park areas.
If you’d like Kim to pickup your donation, or if you’d like to make a monetary donation, please call her at 1-407-383-3519. Monetary donations are tax-deductible.
Anna Maria Community Farmers Market, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday, March 12 – Sunday, March 29
“The Second Time Around,” Island Players Theatre, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. on Sundays)
Friday, March 13
Anna Maria Island Garden Club annual flower show: “75 Years of Cinema,” Roser Church Fellowship Hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Anna Maria Island Artists’ Guild Night Market, Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 5-7:30 p.m.
Anna Maria City Block Party, City Pier Park, 103 North Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 5 p.m.
Friday, March 13, Saturday, March, 14
Friends of the Island LibraryJewelry Sale,Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 14
Cortez Nautical Flea Market, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th Street W., Cortez, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday, March 15
Anna Maria Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade, parade starts near Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive and ends at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., 4-6 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18
Heritage Day Festival, Anna Maria Island Historical Society, Historical Park, 402 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 21
The Intelligence of Flowers (energy, scent and therapeutic care workshop), Island Therapeutics, 6000 Marina Drive, 2-4 p.m., $65
HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach city staff has proposed an ordinance that will allow Seaside Gardens homeowners to voluntarily replace their non-hurricane-damaged, ground-level townhomes with new elevated townhomes.
City code currently restricts those Seaside Gardens elevation activities to nonconforming ground-level townhomes that sustained significant hurricane or storm damage.
Development Services Director Chad Minor presented Draft Ordinance 26-03 to the mayor and city commissioners during the commission’s Feb. 24 work session.
The ordinance would clarify and amend existing city code that regulates nonconforming structures in the Seaside Gardens community. The proposed ordinance would allow for the voluntary reconstruction of nonconforming units, as applicable to the townhouses located in the city’s R-4 residential zoning district.
MINOR’S MEMO
Included in the work session agenda packet was a memo from Minor that explains the existing regulations and the proposed changes.
Regarding the existing conditions, Minor’s memo says, “Seaside Gardens is a truly unique community that is unreplicated anywhere else in the city. However, this uniqueness has created zoning and land use challenges due to the fact the underlying zoning of Seaside Gardens (R-4, Medium density residential district) has created a series of nonconformities that impact many of the existing units and their ability to reconstruct or improve. In addition, a majority of the attached townhome units now located within the community are ground-level. As such, they are nonconforming to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements.”
Regarding previous city commission actions, Minor’s memo says, “In response to the issues surrounding reconstruction of nonconforming units, city commission approved Ordinance No. 23-19 in September 2023. Ordinance No. 23-19 allowed nonconforming townhomes within the R-4 zoning district which have been involuntarily damaged 50% or more of the townhome’s market value to be reconstructed provided the conditions or the ordinance are met. It should also be noted that at the time Ord. No.23-19 was adopted, many of the Seaside Gardens residents were not supportive of the voluntary reconstruction of the nonconforming units.”
Regarding the newly proposed ordinance, Minor’s memo says, “City staff attended the Seaside Gardens annual civic association/homeowners meeting on Feb. 9 and the issue of voluntary vs. nonvoluntary reconstruction was discussed. A majority of the homeowners in attendance were now supportive of the ability to reconstruct on a voluntary basis as well. They requested staff present an ordinance that would allow for the voluntary reconstruction of nonconforming units similarly to those units allowed to rebuild upon being involuntarily damaged 50 percent or more of the townhome’s market value. As a result, staff has prepared the attached ordinance language (Ord. No. 26-03) allowing voluntary demolition and reconstruction of nonconforming units.”
In summary, Minor’s memo says, “Staff’s focus and intent of the ordinances related to the Seaside Gardens is to address, insofar as possible, the nonconformities and allow the common wall units the potential to rebuild to current floodplain standards and create flood-compliant and safer structures.
“It is also recognized that quality of life would no doubt be impacted by construction of an adjacent unit and the city must try and balance this with the ability to create resilient and safer buildings. Ordinance language to allow like-for-like units to be built in compliance with FEMA and the floodplain ordinance is critical. It is also important to note that it is not the staff’s intent to introduce allowances for additional structures within the flood hazard areas or to create additional nonconformities.”
When addressing the mayor and commissioners, Minor noted there are already some elevation projects taking place in Seaside Gardens. In one instance, one side of a ground-level duplex is being replaced with an elevated town home, with ground-level parking below, while the adjacent townhome remains at ground level. Another project underway involves one unit of a Seaside Gardens triplex being elevated.
One of the townhomes in this Seaside Gardens triplex is already being elevated. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
No formal action was taken during the commission work session. The proposed ordinance will be presented to city commissioner on first reading during the commission’s regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10, at 2 p.m.
The proposed ordinance will then be presented to the planning commission so it can be reviewed for compliance with the city’s comprehensive plan. After being reviewed by the planning commission, the ordinance will be presented to the city commission on second reading for final adoption.
BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners received an update on the influx of building permits sought for the construction of new homes. They were also updated on some pending home demolitions.
“There are 19 new homes being built,” Code Enforcement Officer Evan Harbus said during the Feb. 19 city commission meeting. “We’re also expecting some new permit applications to come in on 19 other empty lots.”
Harbus said he is working with Building Official Rob Perry on two homes that will ultimately be demolished.
“The big one right now is 2416 (Gulf Drive),” Harbus said. “It’s the blue house that sits on stilts on the beach. We spoke with the owner of the property and eventually that’s going to be demolished.”
Harbus said the city asked for temporary fencing to be placed around the house, which he described as “rotting.” He said the property owner is in talks with the state to get approval for a new house to be built.
“We’ve been working on blighted properties – buildings that are either falling down or may collapse,” Perry said. “For 2416 Gulf, the I-beams under there, I thought, were very critical. The stairs are pulling away from the building. I’m talking with DEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) representatives about putting safety fencing in the dunes around it.”
Perry said the building is unsafe and he’s been speaking with the owner about having the building demolished.
“I think that one is ready to fall into the beach,” Perry said.
Another property officials expect to be demolished is the orange bungalow at 1203 Gulf Drive S.
City officials expect the home at 1203 Gulf Drive S. to be demolished due to hurricane-related damage. – Leslie Lake | Sun
“I’ve been in talks with the owner,” Harbus said. “They went for a grant from the Elevate Florida program but they were denied. They didn’t pass inspection. Rob and I are speaking with them and trying to figure out when that house will eventually be demolished.”
Elevate Florida is a Florida Division of Emergency Management program in which homeowners can apply for funding to elevate structures in flood-prone areas.
“At 1203 Gulf Drive, he had a problem where he was trying to raise it,” Perry said. “My experience with raising these buildings is that it’s unsafe to raise old, wooden structures. They will not give you the grant because they feel it’s unsafe to raise those older structures that are over 50 years old, and they’re afraid they’re going to fall apart when they try to raise them.”
As of July 2025, 33 hurricane-damaged homes have been demolished citywide since the 2024 hurricanes.
