BRADENTON BEACH – The Pines Trailer Park redevelopment plans included in the Pines Park Investors ownership group “Bridge Street Pier District” redevelopment project generated a great deal of social media commentary before, during and after the plans were presented to the Bradenton Beach City Commission on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Shared by the city clerk’s office on Wednesday, Aug. 5, the conceptual presentation references four buildings, 200 hotel rooms, 13 condo units, a beach club, restaurant and retail spaces, 351 parking spaces, a public plaza, a waterfront walkway and more – to be spread across the Pines Trailer Park property at the east end of Bridge Street and the properties currently being used as a paid parking lot at the west end of Bridge Street.
PRE-PRESENTATION COMMENTS
More than 750 comments were posted after the plans shared in PDF form were posted on The Sun’s Facebook page on Aug. 5. Many Facebook users lamented the loss of the charm of Bridge Street, the possibility of increased traffic and the loss of the Pines Trailer Park, and some expressed support for the proposed project.
Kimberly Meyers-Collins wrote, “This takes away all the charm of Bridge Street and the area in general. We fell in love with the area almost 20 years ago because of the quaint bars, stores and charm. This reminds me of something you would see in St. Armands along with all its traffic.”
“It’s almost like the hurricanes did SK (Shawn Kaleta) a favor, making those trailers unlivable and making his property suddenly worth way more,” Scott Andrews wrote.
Eric Geraldson wrote, “Traffic already doesn’t move around here. How could this even be considered?”
Rusty Price wrote, “McDonald’s, Holiday Inn and a ferris wheel next. Y’all are getting what you wanted now!”
Lynn Marie wrote, “Please don’t commercialize it more than it already is. I love Bradenton Beach and the south end just the way it is. Well, other than the traffic, but imagine what traffic will be like if this monstrosity happens!”
“They’re killing the goose that laid the golden egg. Say good-bye to old Florida. Sorry for y’all,” Dennis Chasse wrote.
“The problem is its going to bring so much more traffic and people than that area can handle,” Nancy Green wrote.
“This is replacing the dilapidated trailer park. I’m all for it,” John Rainieri wrote.
“This looks great, but it needs to incorporate condos for workers and also more trees. The architecture style is lacking,” Lucie Allen wrote. “Great plan but needs to be better executed. Employ better architects. More greening, more trees, more planting and more textures on the building itself.”
LIVESTREAM COMMENTS
During and after The Sun’s livestream of the Aug. 6 presentation given to the city commission by Pines Park Investors group’s representatives, 232 Facebook comments were received on the livestream post.
Cindy Quinn wrote, “AMI is not Key West!”
“Too big for this space,” Calvin Johnson wrote. “Why do people feel bigger is better? We love our sleepy town. We will never come back from this!”
Cheryl Lumsden Jozsa wrote, “It’s apparent that the old charm of AMI Bradenton Beach is done. It’s disgusting.”
Joanita McGreal Mayle wrote, “I love the Bridge Street character. The current Bridge Street, I hate this plan. We already have a paradise! Leave it be $$$$!”
“The character of Bridge Street will be gone,” Lynn Johnson wrote. “Cruise ship port vibes.”
Anita Burris Jones wrote, “This will take away the charm of Bradenton Beach.”
Michael Patsy wrote, “Too big for the space.”
Joachim Schiffer wrote, “Nobody can or will stop this.”
Sue Longacre wrote, “Our Mayor and Commissioners DO NOT LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE. They approved the last proposed big hotel on Bridge Street despite over 5,000 signatures opposing the size of it.”
Regarding the park owners’ redevelopment rights, Valerie Amick wrote, “They have rights, but there are many of us who also have rights that precede theirs.”
Regarding comments made by architect and presenter David Chilinski, Shannon Anberzon wrote, “Bring people to the pier?! The pier is always busy with people visiting?!? This guy is a joke.”
Jennifer Garringer wrote, “Please don’t let this happen!! BB can’t handle this craziness!! The small-town ambiance that we are loved for is already disappearing and this will absolutely destroy our wildlife and everything we stand for!”
In support of the project, Peter Zig wrote, “It’s a great concept, maybe a bit overwhelming in scale for that area, but the future of that property is more businesses and revenue for everyone. The new owners of the trailer park property will be utilizing that prime waterfront real estate one way or another. Most business owners will want this to happen. It will bring in more people & more money to Bridge St. businesses.”
Will D Johnson wrote, “Way better than a bunch of old trailers. And, the fact is the Pines owners could be lobbying for making the whole dang parcel a giant hotel giving residents nothing but tax receipts in the deal. Love the idea of anchoring the concept with a public boardwalk.”
Jeepin Jen wrote, “AMI is NOT CLEARWATER.”
Susan Curry wrote, “Goodbye lovely quaint, REAL, Bradenton Beach. Looks like every other contrived, beachside tourist trap. Nothing like OUR island.”
Meg Rago Burnopp wrote, “There’s nothing architecturally pleasing about that design! Looks like a mall we have up in Illinois! Not a historic beach area!”
Sandy Ziros wrote, “I sure hope the commissioners do the right thing and save Bridge Street.”
Sharon Puckett Verderber wrote, “WE DO NOT WANT THIS!”
Related coverage: Pines Trailer Park, Bridge Street redevelopment plans presented
