BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County hopes to have a water taxi service running to and from Anna Maria Island three days a week beginning in February.
On Aug. 2, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Elliott Falcione sent Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie an email update on the county’s efforts to secure a water taxi provider. Falcione’s email noted it was sent instead of an in-person update from Manatee County Public Works Director Chad Butzow and Falcione during the Bradenton Beach City Commission’s Aug. 4 meeting.
“We are close to an agreement with a Florida-based water taxi operator and hope to finalize a deal within the next 30 to 45 days. With that timeframe, two water vessels would be ordered and built hopefully for a February 2023 startup,” Falcione wrote in his email.
Falcione’s email stated the water taxi service would initially be offered from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The anticipated route is from downtown Bradenton to the Anna Maria City Pier to the floating dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier and then back again.
The floating dock alongside the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach is expected to be water taxi landing area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Falcione’s email noted each vessel will be approximately 50 feet long and carry 35 to 45 passengers at a time. His email stated the ridership fee has not yet been established, but the county is considering free water taxi service for service workers who work on Anna Maria Island. The existing county-run free trolley and MCAT bus service will also be part of the overall transportation equation and will serve as a backup to the water taxi service in case of severe weather conditions and/or boat maintenance issues.
“We will set up a meeting with you soon to discuss docking logistics and your city approval process,” Falcione stated in his email to Chappie.
Falcione is scheduled to provide the Anna Maria City Commission with an in-person water taxi update on Thursday, Aug. 11. That meeting will begin at 2 p.m. or as soon as the 1:30 p.m. budget meeting ends.
The Anna Maria City Pier has been discussed as a potential water taxi landing area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Formal city commission approvals will be needed from each city before the Bridge Street Pier and the Anna Maria City Pier are officially approved as water taxi landing areas.
During previous discussions, it was noted the public day dock along the Bradenton Riverwalk and east of the Green Bridge could serve as the downtown Bradenton water-taxi landing spot.
ANNA MARIA – Mote Marine’s contracted architect, Barron Schimberg, has begun work on the plans for a marine educational outreach center on the City Pier.
The center was originally expected to open in early 2022. In late April, the Anna Maria City Commission gave Mote Marine a lengthy extension that now anticipates the facility opening by March 2023.
During that April meeting, the commission gave Mote Marine until Aug. 13 to begin the long-delayed design and architectural work on the center, to be located in a city-owned building at the end of the City Pier and operated by Mote Marine. The commission also set an October deadline for those architectural plans to be completed and submitted to the city.
Mayor Dan Murphy provided the commission with a brief status update during the commission’s July 14 meeting.
“We have an assurance from Mote Marine that we’re on track. In fact, just yesterday, Mote Marine, along with the architect, were out on the pier taking measurements and doing reviews. That architectural process has already started. They have a signed agreement with the architect. October 10th is the delivery date back to the commission and that has been reinforced as well. I wanted to give you an assurance that we’re on track this time and things look good. If there’s any variance to that I’ll let you know. I feel comfortable that they’ll meet the deadline of October 10, maybe sooner,” Murphy told the commission.
ANNA MARIA – The city and Mote Marine Laboratory have agreed to a lease addendum formally establishing the deadlines for Mote to begin and complete the installation of its Anna Maria City Pier Marine Education Outreach Center.
In a 4-1 vote, the commission approved the requested lease addendum on Thursday, April 28, with Commissioner Mark Short casting the lone dissenting vote.
Mote’s requested project timeline extension was previously discussed and tentatively approved by the commission during a special meeting on Friday, April 22. Short also voted against the project at that time.
During that meeting, it was noted Mote Marine’s preferred architect, Barron Schimberg, had not yet begun the design and engineering work for the interior buildout of the city-owned pier building and the installation of the live marine exhibits, but had committed to starting that work on Aug. 18.
Deadlines established
The one-page lease addendum includes date-specific deadlines and milestones Mote must meet.
According to the approved lease addendum, the formal design and engineering process for the Mote outreach facility must begin on or before Aug. 18. The completed plans must be submitted to the city on or before Oct. 13. The interior buildout of the city-owned pier building and the subsequent installation of the live marine exhibits must begin seven days after the city issues Mote its needed building permits. Mote must apply for a certificate of occupancy no later than 12 weeks after the city permits are issued and the grand opening is to take place no later than four weeks after the city issues Mote Marine a certificate of occupancy.
The Anna Maria City Pier Marine Education Outreach Center will feature live and virtual exhibits. – Mote Marine | Submitted
During the commission’s April 28 meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy said the agreed-upon deadlines are expected to result in a March 1, 2023, grand opening for the Mote Marine outreach center.
According to the lease addendum, “Mote shall comply in all respects with the following schedule as to the design and buildout of the premises. Mote’s timely performance of the above work and schedule is required as a condition of the lease, excluding ‘unavoidable delays’ as defined in Section 28 of the lease signed September 30, 2021.”
Section 28 of the original lease pertains to “impossibility of performance” and states: “For purposes of this lease, the term ‘unavoidable delay’ shall mean any delays due to strikes, lockouts, civil commotion, war or warlike operations, acts of terrorism, acts of a public enemy, acts of bioterrorism, epidemics, quarantines, pandemics, invasion, rebellion, hostilities, military or usurped power, sabotage, government regulations or controls, inability to obtain any material, utility or service because of governmental restrictions, hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters, acts of God or any other cause beyond the direct control of the party delayed.”
The lease addendum notes: “In the event of default on the part of Mote, the Anna Maria City Commission shall have the authority to cancel the lease at the reasonable discretion of such city commission.”
Funding
As approved by the Manatee County Commission in 2021, the county will provide the initial $500,000 for the interior buildout and exhibit installation using money from the county’s 5% tourist tax levied on lodging establishments, including vacation rentals, which operate within the county.
Mote is responsible for any initial buildout and installation costs beyond the county’s initial $500,000 investment. Mote will also provide, at its own expense, the staff members and volunteers needed to operate the outreach center. Mote will occupy the city-owned structure rent-free during the initial five-year lease period which also provides Mote with an option for a five-year extension. The city of Anna Maria will pay the utility expenses associated with Mote Marine’s use of the City Pier and pier building.
Live exhibits
On April 22, the commission majority accepted the conceptual exhibit plans presented by Mote Marine representative Kevin Cooper.
The invertebrate touch tank is the centerpiece of the proposed marine education outreach center. – Mote Marine | Submitted
The conceptual plans propose four separate live exhibits that include an invertebrate touch tank, a live mangrove exhibit, a live grass flats exhibit and a fourth live exhibit that will use cameras and an underwater hydrophone allowing visitors to see and hear the marine life and marine environment under the pier.
If and when the Mote Marine outreach center opens in 2023, admission will be free for the public.
ANNA MARIA – Mote Marine Laboratory now has until March 1, 2023, to complete its installation of the Anna Maria City Pier Marine Education Outreach Center.
While the project will be a year late, it will include live marine exhibits withdrawn from the original plan.
During a special meeting on April 22, the Anna Maria City Commission voted 4-1 in favor of granting Mote Marine an extension of the original 180-day interior buildout and exhibit installation timeframe. Mote and the city agreed to the six-month deadline in late September when the two parties entered into a rent-free, five-year lease agreement for Mote’s use of the larger of the two city-owned buildings at the T-end of the City Pier. The smaller pier building is occupied by the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop.
The marine outreach center will be installed in the pier building to the right of the breezeway. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Commissioner Mark Short opposed the 11-month extension, which must still be formalized by an amended lease agreement to be approved by Mote and the commission at a future meeting. Because he was recently exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, Short participated in Friday’s meeting remotely as a precautionary measure.
When the original lease agreement was signed in September, Mote Marine representative Kevin Cooper said he anticipated the outreach center opening in March. That March deadline passed without Mote submitting any detailed engineering plans for the interior buildout and exhibit installations.
Kevin Cooper presented Mote Marine’s extension request and latest conceptual plans. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When requesting the extension on Friday, Cooper said Mote’s architect, Barron Schimberg, committed to starting the formal design and engineering process on Aug. 18. Schimberg previously engineered the City Pier for the city of Anna Maria.
Mayor Dan Murphy and the commission stipulated that once the design and engineering work begins on Aug. 18, Schimberg and Mote will have eight weeks to submit the finished plans for commission approval. If either design and engineering deadline is missed, the commission will consider terminating the project. Murphy noted the “drop-dead deadlines” will be formalized in the amended lease agreement.
Conceptual plans
During Friday’s meeting, the commission also reached majority consensus in support of the latest conceptual plans presented by Cooper. The conceptual plans consist of five colored renderings of Mote’s latest proposed exhibits, including four live exhibits that will collectively use approximately 1,000 gallons of circulating seawater.
The invertebrate touch exhibit is to be the centerpiece of the marine educational outreach center. – Mote Marine | Submitted
“The centerpiece is the invertebrate touch exhibit,” Cooper said. “What we’ve found in our experience is the best way to educate individuals about the importance of marine science, conservation and preservation is to bring them closer to it – and you simply can’t get closer than having your hands in the water touching the species. It’s fully interactive. The rest of the exhibits are visual.”
The conceptual rendering of the touch exhibit includes a horseshoe crab and starfish.
Cooper said the mangrove exhibit will feature a mangrove tree and live marine species inhabiting the mangrove’s submerged root system. The grass flats exhibit will feature marine species found near the City Pier, including Gulf killifish, mojarra, stone crab and more.
The grass flats exhibit will feature the type of marine life found near the City Pier. – Mote Marine | Submitted
The fourth live exhibit will use live cameras and a hydrophone that provide real-time sights and sounds of the actual marine life and environment under the City Pier.
The interactive and educational exhibits will also include microscopes, a puzzle-like fish identification exhibit that allows youngsters to hone their motor skills; a “Draw Alive” virtual exhibit that allows visitors to create digital marine life images projected on a display screen and an exhibit that allows visitors to create textured rubbings of fish and other marine life, which they can take home free of charge.
The proposed exhibits include an interactive game fish identification exhibit. – Mote Marine | Submitted
“Our goal is informal marine science education. We don’t want this to be something where someone comes in and looks around for two minutes. The mix of the live and interactive exhibits turns into a timely experience where they can come in and spend an hour or two learning,” Cooper said.
Cooper said the outreach center would accommodate 24 people at a time according to the state fire code. He said the outreach center would have up to three employees and/or volunteer docents present during school field trips and one or two staff members and/or volunteer docents present during normal operations.
Comments and feedback
Cooper said Mote Marine President and CEO Dr. Michael Crosby could not attend Friday’s meeting because he was visiting a Mote facility in the Florida Keys.
Cooper said he listened to a recording of the April 14 city commission discussion during which the mayor and commission expressed frustration with Mote’s ongoing delays. During that meeting, Commissioner Deanie Sebring expressed her concerns about the revised exhibit plans Mote submitted in January.
The revised plans proposed all virtual exhibits and none of the live exhibits Crosby originally presented in February and March of 2021 when the commission voted 4-1 to pursue the Mote outreach center.
The virtual exhibits were proposed in part due to concerns about the new pier being able to support the weight of the water-filled exhibit tanks. Those weight-bearing concerns have since been alleviated by third-party structural engineers.
On April 14, Sebring also questioned whether the proposed virtual exhibits were meant to simply serve as advertisements for the new aquarium Mote plans to build in Sarasota.
When addressing that concern, Cooper said, “I heard a concern that Mote was transitioning this partnership into a way to promote our aquarium. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are committed to operating and educating on this site free of charge. It’s much more likely that the Mote aquarium will support this project rather than the other way around.”
Cooper also addressed the delay-related frustrations expressed during the April 14 meeting.
“We share in that frustration. This process isn’t limited by Mote’s desires, determination or imagination. We’ve been limited largely by physics and third-party opinions, time frames and commitments. We’ve worked with four engineers and two architects. We’ve only been able to get one of those six committed to work on the project,” Cooper said.
During Friday’s meeting, Sebring was among those questioning Mote’s lack of progress.
“We’ve been sitting here for a year and no design has been done. I wonder what the heck has been going on?” she said.
She also noted many citizens have expressed similar anger and frustration on social media.
During public input, Anna Maria resident and retired marine biology Scott McGregor said the Mote outreach center may be a good idea, but not in the city-owned building that he and others would rather see leased to a restaurant operator.
Anna Maria resident Dan Devine said, “It’s been a year and this is what we have so far? We basically have rough drafts here. Why do we think it will only take eight weeks?”
Before voting against the extension, Short said, “I am very frustrated with how this has played out. The lease was signed at the end of September. This is the design we got, which doesn’t look too dissimilar from the concept that was provided to us a year ago. I understand certain things had to be done, but I’m really surprised the progress isn’t significantly further than where it is.”
MANATEE COUNTY – The county hopes to provide water taxi service between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island as early as Memorial Day weekend.
Possible water taxi landing stops on the Island include the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and the City Pier in Anna Maria; both would require the support of those city governments. A potential landing area has not yet been identified in Holmes Beach.
The long-debated water taxi service was discussed during the Feb. 1 Council of Governments meeting and the county is now in the process of issuing an Invitation to Negotiate for water taxi operators to use in crafting their proposals.
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitor Bureau Director Elliott Falcione led the recent discussion, saying the county commission directed County Administrator Scott Hopes to initiate a water taxi system. Hopes then assigned those responsibilities to Falcione and Manatee County Public Works Director Chad Butzow, with Manatee County Transit Manager Bill Steele, MCAT Planning Manager Jonathan Roberson and others assisting with the efforts.
“It’s time to take advantage of the waterways in our beautiful community,” Falcione said.
Falcione said the goal is to have a water taxi pilot program operational by Memorial Day weekend and he’s already had preliminary discussions with all the mayors in Manatee County except Longboat Key.
“Each city’s going to have some suggestions, they’re going to have some concerns. I urge the cities to find balance. We have to swiftly and effectively come up with a plan as Bill Steele and the county go through an invitation to negotiate for procurement,” Falcione said, noting the procurement process will provide additional insight from water taxi operators regarding efficiency, frequency of the service and the initial landing spots.
He also said past surveys of Anna Maria Island beachgoers and hospitality workers indicate support for a water taxi system.
Speaking next, Steele said Roberson has been researching water taxi programs in other parts of the state and country. During his presentation, Steele referenced the Water Taxi Feasibility Study completed by the Metropolitan Planning Organization in 2005. He said that study is dated but still provides relevant conclusions regarding funding, service needs and key destinations.
This slide included in Bill Steele’s presentation illustrates one of the reasons for a water taxi system. – Manatee County | Submitted
Steele said it’s important for the areas served by water taxis to be connected to the ground transit system that includes MCAT buses and the free Island Trolleys.
“Initially we need to go from downtown Bradenton to AMI. As this service progresses and gets more productive in terms of ridership, there are always opportunities to expand,” Steele said.
Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier said, “We may not be the first point of entry, but we’d like to be in the loop.”
Falcione agreed and said the Sarasota area could also play a future role in the water taxi system, with a potential landing spot at the county-owned Powel Crosley Estate near the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
County Commissioner Misty Servia said she’s excited to see a water taxi program finally moving forward but she doesn’t want the downtown Bradenton businesses to lose their existing parking spaces to water taxi users.
Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown said a water taxi system would bring more visitors from Anna Maria Island to downtown Bradenton, which would benefit the downtown businesses.
Regarding downtown parking, Brown said, “Right now we have a parking garage with 400 spaces that I would say isn’t 25% utilized.”
Mayor John Chappie noted the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will soon expand the floating dock near the Bridge Street Pier, using matching funds provided by the county. That project will include perpendicular finger docks and a designated docking space for water taxis, ferries and other commercial vessels. Chappie said public restrooms and other amenities are already in place, including the Old Town Trams that transport visitors to their destinations within the greater Bridge Street area.
Butzow said securing the landing spots will be a major point of emphasis in the procurement process and the county seeks partnerships with public entities and private businesses for landing areas that provide walkability and access to buses, trolleys, trams and other means of ground transportation.
As of Friday, the requisition to draft an Invitation to Negotiate had been submitted and, once completed, will be posted at the Manatee County bids and proposals website and the Periscope S2G government bidding website.
Anna Maria mayor’s input
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy did not attend the COG meeting but he addressed the proposed water taxi service during the city commission’s Thursday, Feb. 10 meeting.
Reiterating statements he’s made in the past, and has communicated to Falcione, Murphy said, “I am not in favor of a tourist taxi. I don’t think we need more parking congestion at the pier because we’re running a shuttle service, or restaurant shuttles going down the Island. A benefit would be a water taxi that is focused on employees coming to and from work from downtown Bradenton to the Island.”
The Anna Maria City Pier will be considered as a potential water taxi landing area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Murphy said carpenters and others who work in trades that require tools and equipment are unlikely to use a water taxi for work purposes, but some hospitality, retail and service industry employees would likely use the service if it’s affordable, fast, convenient and reliable.
“I think it should be part of the county transit system and I believe it probably should be subsidized so it’s affordable,” Murphy said.
This graphic from the 2015 Urban Land Institute study illustrates who uses the bridges that connect Anna Maria Island to the mainland. – ULI | Submitted
Murphy said the City Pier’s existing landing area can accommodate a water taxi, but the city commission will decide whether that use is allowed.
“This is really the most logical place to put it. I do believe it would be a benefit under these conditions but it’s going to be your call,” Murphy told the commission.
When contacted, Mayor Judy Titsworth said she doesn’t currently envision a water taxi stop in Holmes Beach and the county’s planned improvements to the Kingfish boat ramp don’t currently include a water taxi stop.
Mote Marine Laboratory has provided the city with a new proposal for the interior layout of the marine educational outreach center to be installed on the City Pier.
The outreach center will be in the vacant, city-owned building at the T-end of the new pier.
After receiving Mote Marine’s latest proposal on Thursday, Jan. 27, Mayor Dan Murphy forwarded the document to city commissioners. During that evening’s commission meeting Murphy noted the commissioners had not yet had much time to review the new proposal, which will be discussed at a future meeting.
The pier space that will contain the Mote Marine facility was originally offered for lease to potential full-service restaurant operators. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Mote’s new proposal features more digital and virtual exhibits. The previous plan included live exhibits containing smaller sport fish, schooling fish and a touch tank featuring urchins, starfish, sea cucumbers, horseshoe crabs and slipper lobsters.
Exhibits and features
The new proposal includes a “Fish Sounds” exhibit that would allow guests to activate recorded marine life sounds and compare those to real-life sounds heard live through an underwater microphone installed at the pier.
It also includes a live streaming video exhibit on the marine life under the pier, projecting real-life images on the exhibit walls. It also would have a mangrove column illustrating how these plants provide crucial habitat for young fish and other marine life.
This is the latest floor plan proposed by Mote Marine. – Mote Marine | Submitted
Another exhibit would help users identify and learn more about the fish they catch on the pier and elsewhere in Anna Maria.
Additional panels would explain Mote’s research efforts directly related to Anna Maria Island, including information on fisheries, sharks and rays, sea turtles, manatees and red tide.
According to the proposal, schooling fish, mangrove roots and other sea life will be set into the floor to “create a dynamic learning environment.”
The proposal includes a “Draw Alive” interactive exhibit that allows youngsters and adults to color a sea creature, place it on the scanner and watch it come to life on a video screen.
The latest proposal also includes an interactive microscope exhibit that projects microscope images onto a video monitor.
This rendering illustrates Mote Marine’s proposed “Draw Alive” and video exhibits. – Mote Marine | Submitted
When contacted later in the week, Murphy said commissioners will decide if they prefer the new proposal, the original proposal or a combination of the two. During a previous commission meeting, Murphy said Mote no longer anticipates completing its installation work in March as previously predicted.
On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the city posted the following message on its Facebook page: “Have you heard Mote Marine will open a learning center on the T-end of our City Pier? Here’s a quick update of where things stand: There are two conceptualized plans – one that includes tanks for live marine life, and one that doesn’t. Both options will be considered equally after the engineer and building official review the plans and make their recommendations. Either way, we’re very excited to welcome Mote to Anna Maria and look forward to seeing you all there soon.”
The Mote Marine facility will be located in the currently vacant pier building to the right. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
ANNA MARIA – The Manatee County Commission has officially authorized an interlocal agreement that provides the city of Anna Maria with $500,000 for the buildout and installation of the Mote Educational Outreach Center on the City Pier.
The county commission authorized the interlocal agreement on Tuesday, Oct. 12, after the Anna Maria City Commission approved the Mote Marine lease agreement by a 4-1 vote on Sept. 30.
The $500,000 in county funds is expected to cover the majority of the costs associated with the interior buildout of the city-owned building and the installation of the Mote Marine exhibits. Mote Marine will be responsible for any buildout and installation costs that exceed the $500,000 being provided by the county – with the exception of any additional costs associated with design elements or facility features sought by the city commission beyond those proposed by Mote Marine. The city will reimburse Mote Marine for the buildout and installation costs incurred and then be reimbursed by the county.
The lease agreement reached with Mote Marine in September will not generate monthly or annual rent revenues for the city, and the city will be responsible for the utilities and maintenance costs associated with the educational outreach center that will be staffed and operated at Mote Marine’s expense.
On Thursday, Oct. 14, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy told city commissioners the next step in the process will be the presentation of Mote Marine’s buildout and installation plans. Murphy said those plans will require city commission approval. He also said those plans will be reviewed by the city’s building official and the city’s engineering firm before being presented to the city commission for acceptance or denial.
“If the plans are denied, the deal is off with Mote,” Murphy told the commission. “I chartered our building official and our city engineer with making sure that we’re getting a high-quality product.”
Murphy said he and Public Works Manager Dean Jones plan to meet with Mote Marine CEO and President Michael Crosby within the next 10 days or so to discuss the plans in progress.
“They are already actively developing their plans,” Murphy said.
Murphy said he hopes to bring the plan approval process to quick fruition, but as of last week he was unable to provide an estimated date as to when those plans will be presented to the city commission.
After the September meeting, Mote Marine Vice President of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Kevin Cooper said he expects the buildout and installation to be completed by March 2022, with the Mote Marine facility opening soon after that.
ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria and Mote Marine Laboratory have entered into a 10-year lease agreement for the installation and operation of the Mote Educational Outreach Center on the City Pier.
The city commission approved the lease agreement by a 4-1 vote during a special commission meeting on Thursday, Sept. 30, with Commissioner Mark Short casting the only opposition vote.
The Mote facility will be located inside the larger of two city-owned buildings at the T-end of the City Pier; and next to the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop that operates in city-owned space leased to business partners Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham.
The Mote Marine facility will be located inside this city-owned building on the Anna Maria City Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Earlier this year, the Manatee County Commission supported the Tourist Development Council’s recommendation that the county contribute $500,000 toward the initial buildout and exhibit installation costs. With the lease agreement now signed, the city must still finalize the $500,000 funding agreement with a county commission-approved interlocal agreement. The city will reimburse Mote Marine for its initial buildout and installation costs and then be reimbursed by the county.
Lease negotiations
Thursday’s discussion began with Mayor Dan Murphy stating he and Mote Marine Vice President of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Kevin Cooper engaged in “lengthy and productive” discussions that led to the final lease agreement presented.
“This is something we have been working on since Feb. 10th – the first time we made a formal presentation of a proposal to put Mote Marine out on the City Pier. We’ve had an incredible amount of public input over this issue of what should be out on the pier. I believe this is in fact – for the city, the residents and the visitors – the very best choice to put on that pier,” Murphy told the commission.
Murphy noted each commissioner was previously provided an earlier version of a proposed lease agreement that was then modified based on that initial input received from the individual commissioners.
“Kevin and I worked diligently to put together the best product we could,” Murphy said.
Commission comments
Commission Chair Carol Carter said she spent many years working with large research universities and she noted lease agreements with large research institutions usually present additional challenges.
“I know the mayor and our attorney and our treasurer/clerk have worked really hard because this is a different animal to deal with. I would just like to acknowledge all the work they’ve done,” Carter said.
Short then shared his views on the proposed lease agreement.
“On behalf of the city, I want to thank the TDC and the Manatee County Commission for approving the $500,000 that will be used for the buildout of the education outreach center. A lot of energy and effort went into this and I wanted to thank the mayor and staff for everything they did. I want to thank Mote for their interest and willingness to operate this educational outreach center for the pier,” Short said.
This currently vacant space will be transformed into the Mote Educational Outreach Center. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I recognize – I think we all do – that this is not going to improve the bottom line of Mote. Based on the preliminary operating budget they provided us back in February, to operate this center is going to cost Mote somewhere between $200,000 and $400,000 a year. I don’t think having Mote on the pier is a bad thing. Although, to be honest, I’m not necessarily convinced it’s the best thing,” Short said.
“The $500,000 estimated cost has been funded. Any costs incurred above that will be paid by Mote unless the city decides there are certain things it wants done outside the scope of what Mote will do. The city will pay for all the utilities to operate the outreach center and the city will not receive any rent for the use of this facility for a period which could be up to 10 years based on the agreement,” Short said of the pier building originally offered for lease for the operation of a full-service restaurant.
“In spite of what we all believe is the educational benefit of operating this center on the pier, the fact remains that there will be no rent the city will receive,” Short reiterated.
He also expressed concerns about the potential 10-year agreement providing Mote Marine, and not the city, with the option to extend the lease for an additional five years.
With no more commission or public comment offered, Carter sought and received from Commissioner Jon Crane a motion to accept the lease agreement. Commissioners Deanie Sebring, Doug Copeland and Carter supported Crane’s motion.
“I very much appreciate the partnership growing between Mote and the city of Anna Maria,” Cooper told the commission.
This rendering illustrates the basic floor plans for the Mote Educational Outreach Center and the already-operational City Pier Grill. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted
Copeland asked Cooper when he expects the buildout and exhibit installation to begin and be completed.
“Because we deal with multiple campuses across the state of Florida, we do maintain an internal team for facilities, exhibit design (and) habitat maintenance. With labor shortages and supply chain shortages, we still maintain that we’ll do a six-month buildout. We expect to wrap up construction in March,” Cooper said.
Post-meeting comments
After the meeting, Murphy signed the approved lease agreement, which Cooper took to Mote Marine President and CEO Dr. Michael Crosby, who signed the agreement that afternoon.
When contacted Thursday afternoon, Cooper said, “We’re excited to grow the partnership with the city of Anna Maria. It aligns very well with our mission to educate the public on the importance of coastal conservation and marine habitat resource management; and I think it aligns with what Anna Maria wants to do with the pier.”
Cooper said Mote Marine will select any additional contractors or subcontractors needed to supplement the work done by Mote’s in-house staff.
“Mote is operating as the contractor. We’ll be doing the conceptual design elements and also some of the installation. When subcontractors are necessary, we will be sending them out. The first phase for us is concept and design, and that has to be approved by the city before we’re able to start construction. We’ll start on that almost immediately. We will open the facility in close proximity to the completion of construction, assuming there’s no other challenges or issues that arise. We can make a pretty quick turnaround from the completion of construction to the opening of the facility itself,” Cooper said.
Presented earlier this year, the rendering illustrates in a general sense what the Mote Educational Outreach Center will look like when completed in 2022. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted
According to Cooper, the current working title for the facility is the Mote Educational Outreach Center at the city of Anna Maria Pier, but that could change.
“That’s been the name in theory, but that’s a mouthful, so I don’t know if that’s going to be the name of the facility once it opens. As we begin to build out the design and go through the approvals with the city that may very well change,” Cooper said.
When contacted Thursday afternoon, Murphy said, “I’m very excited that we came to an agreement with Mote on the lease and can move forward with bringing this important addition to our city. The Mote outreach center will be both educational and entertaining for people of all ages and our pier provides the perfect backdrop for this facility. I thank our commission for having the foresight and good judgment to recognize the value of having this type of venue right here in our own backyard.”
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Tropical Storm/Hurricane Elsa’s impact on Anna Maria Island proved to be minimal.
The storm that passed through Anna Maria Island Tuesday afternoon and evening and into Wednesday morning produced localized flooding but no reports of significant property damage, one reported fallen tree and no reported downed power lines or power outages on the Island.
According to Wunderground.com – an affiliate of The Weather Channel – the highest wind gust recorded at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport weather station during Elsa was 54 mph at 10:53 p.m. Tuesday evening.
Wednesday morning, Anna Maria resident Doug Copeland said he and his wife’s rain gauge indicated 2.8 inches of rain fell during Elsa at their home near the Rod & Reel Pier.
Bradenton Beach
According to Bradenton Beach Public Works Director Tom Woodard and Lt. John Cosby from the Bradenton Beach Police Department, at approximately 11 a.m. Tuesday morning, an unoccupied sailboat on the Cortez side of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) broke free of its mooring and began drifting toward the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach.
Officer Eric Hill and members of the Bradenton Beach Public Works Department secured this sailboat that broke loose on the Cortez side of the ICW. – Bradenton Beach Police Department | Submitted
“We were able to go out and get it and get it tied up and secured. They got it under control and out of the way before it caused any problems,” Cosby said, noting that Officer Eric Hill piloted the police boat stationed on the police boat lift adjacent to the pier.
Cosby and Woodard said the pier and the floating dock sustained no damage during the storm. Cosby said it may take a few days to have the sailboat removed.
The sailboat that broke loose Tuesday morning remained tied to the Bridge Street Pier Wednesday morning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
A 7 a.m. visit to the pier Wednesday revealed the sailboat was still secured to the pilings at the east end of the floating day dock and none of the 15 or so liveaboard vessels anchored south of the pier had broken free or sunk during the storm. The one sunken vessel currently in the area sank long before Tuesday’s storm.
The floating dock in Bradenton Beach sustained no storm damage. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Everybody did what they needed to do,” Cosby said of the liveaboard boaters.
According to Cosby, Officer Hill contacted many of them by cell phone on Monday and reminded them to secure their vessels with double anchors before the storm arrived.
“It appears everybody did it, because I don’t see any issues,” Cosby said.
The liveaboard boaters south of the Bridge Street Pier weathered Elsa’s waves and winds. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Cosby and Woodard said they weren’t aware of any property damage or serious flooding issues elsewhere in the city. A tour of the city indicated some localized street and yard flooding, but less than can often be seen during other heavy rain events.
“I don’t believe we had any calls for service or any type of distress calls,” Cosby said.
Cosby said some of the Gulf-side beach areas “took a pretty good hit” in terms of beach erosion.
“That was expected. No big surprise there,” Cosby said of the erosion.
Holmes Beach
A pass-through of Holmes Beach at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday revealed standing water covering the edge of Marina Drive, near city hall and the Island Branch Library, but the travel lanes were not completely submerged. Standing water was also covering portions of some of the adjacent side streets.
The flooding along Marina Drive in Holmes Beach was limited to the edge of the road by the time the sun came up. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When contacted later in the day, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that city fared well during the storm.
“I was out all day and night until 5:30 this morning. We had some flooding by city hall around 3 to 4 a.m. After the rain stopped, the water subsided pretty quickly. We had minor overnight flooding and one tree down in the parking lot of Martinique North. We dodged the bullet,” Tokajer said.
Standing water covered this portion of 63rd Street in Holmes Beach Wednesday morning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Anna Maria
At approximately 8 a.m., Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and Public Works Manager Dean Jones were touring the city and accessing the storm damage.
“So far, we’re looking pretty good. We’ve got some local street flooding in the areas that would normally flood – and it’s not saltwater flooding, it’s rainwater flooding. There’s no trees down. All of our major roads are clear, but there’s some outlying areas and backstreets where we’ve got some issues with flooding. Some of that we’ll be able to pump out and some we won’t,” Murphy said.
The beach in front of the Sandbar restaurant appears to have suffered erosion during the storm. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
A tour around Anna Maria indicated North Bay Boulevard, near the Bean Point beach access, was among the most flooded areas. The visit to the beach in front of the Sandbar restaurant revealed significant beach erosion had apparently occurred.
This Anna Maria homeowner’s yard experienced Elsa-related flooding. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The new Anna Maria City Pier came through the storm unscathed and residents and visitors were going about their business as usual as the sun appeared and the new day got underway, with some intermittent showers throughout the day.
The new Anna Maria City Pier sustained no storm damage. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The city’s “Reimagining Pine Avenue” public information meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon was canceled and rescheduled at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 12.
Cortez Beach
A mid-morning trip to Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach revealed several people walking along the beach and few surfers in the water. Red flags were flying on the lifeguard tower and a member of the Manatee County Beach Patrol called a group of young men back to shore who had walked out to the end of one of the groins being battered by the high surf.
Due to high surf, these young men were asked to vacate a beach groin at Cortez Beach. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
ANNA MARIA – The Manatee County Commission supports the city of Anna Maria’s request to use $500,000 in tourist tax funds to create a Mote Marine Education Outreach Center on the City Pier.
On Tuesday, June 8, county commissioners voted 7-0 in favor of the city using up to $500,000 in tourist tax funds to pay for the interior buildout and installation of a Mote Marine facility inside a currently vacant city-owned pier building.
The outreach center will be located in the larger pier building originally intended for use as a full-service restaurant. In the smaller pier building and the surrounding tables and benches, the City Pier Grill already offers casual outdoor dining on the pier.
The Mote Marine facility will be located inside this city-owned pier building. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Mote Marine will pay the additional $50,000 estimated to be needed to complete the interior buildout and install the exhibits. Mote will then spend approximately $440,000 per year to staff and operate the facility at minimal cost to the city, with free admission for the public.
County support
When addressing the county commission, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy first thanked the commission for the financial support previously provided for the pier replacement project.
“We look at it as a tremendous opportunity for us,” Murphy said of the Mote Marine facility and the latest city-county funding partnership.
County Commissioner Misty Servia chairs the Tourist Development Council that recommended approval of the funding request. Servia said she’s excited about the educational and tourist development opportunities the Mote Marine facility will provide, and she later made the motion to approve the request.
Mote Marine provided the city with this rendering of the proposed education outreach center. – City of Anna Maria/Mote Marine | Submitted
“I’m a huge supporter and proponent of this project,” Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said. “My family spent a lot of time out at the City Pier. It’s something everyone in the county can enjoy. There’s no admission and it’s really specific to that location. This is exactly what we should be using the bed tax dollars for.”
“This is tourist related, so I support it 100%,” Commissioner Carol Whitmore said, noting she used to hang out on the old pier with Van Ostenbridge’s relatives.
“Is there going to be any issues with parking?” she asked.
“There’s going to be issues with parking no matter what we do. But we are looking into consideration of a water taxi,” Murphy said in reference to a discussion that took place a few minutes earlier regarding a dock expansion project in Bradenton Beach.
“Is your commission supportive of a water taxi?” Whitmore asked.
Murphy said the city commission has not yet weighed in on that issue.
Van Ostenbridge asked if the city has a parking agreement with Roser Memorial Community Church. Murphy said the city does not, but Mote Marine might enter into an agreement with the church for a valet parking program.
“This is a great project, a very good use of space,” Commissioner George Kruse said.
Commission Chair Vanessa Baugh said she recently had coffee with Mote Marine President and CEO Michael Crosby.
“He is very excited about this project and so am I,” she said.
Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Elliott Falcione said the Mote Marine facility aligns well with the county’s recently launched “Love It Like a Local” campaign that encourages visitors to respect Anna Maria Island’s residents and natural resources. He also said restaurant owner Ed Chiles plans to partner with Mote Marine on seagrass restoration and clam restoration projects at the City Pier.
Falcione said County Administrator Scott Hopes recently tasked him and Public Works Director Chad Butzow to work on a water taxi program, which among other things would transport local students to the Island for field trips.
“To think a water taxi might happen soon is exciting,” Baugh said of that long-desired service.
City discussion
When addressing the Anna Maria Commission Thursday afternoon, Murphy said, “There are a few pieces that have to fall in place before we can actually start construction.”
Murphy said the city and county still need to enter into an interlocal agreement that formalizes the financial support. That agreement will require county commission approval when those commissioners return from their annual summer break on July 27.
In February, the city commission met inside the vacant pier building and agreed to pursue the Mote Marine proposal. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Based upon a previous memorandum of understanding, Murphy said the city and Mote Marine still need to create a construction contract and a separate lease contract for the city building.
In response to a question from Commissioner Mark Short, Murphy said the city will not have to make a $500,000 lump sum payment to cover the buildout costs. As the work is completed incrementally, the city will pay the contractors and invoice the county for reimbursement.
Murphy said he could not yet provide an estimated start date.
Water taxi proponent
During Thursday’s meeting, Murphy said he’s a proponent of a specific type of water taxi.
“I’m not a proponent of tour boats. I’m not a proponent of somebody charging $30 to take people down to Bradenton Beach on a sightseeing tour. That’s not solving a traffic problem. The water taxi I’m in favor of would bring service workers from downtown Bradenton or Palmetto to our pier, where they then can catch a trolley and go to wherever they work,” he said.
Mayor Dan Murphy would like to see a specific type of water taxi service at or near the City Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Murphy said the water taxi service he envisions would need to be subsidized by the county, similar to MCAT bus services. He said support from local businesses could provide additional revenues.
“It should be part of the public transit system. It has to be affordable. I think that would be a positive step for this Island, to start bringing service workers across by water taxi,” Murphy said.
Commission Chair Carol Carter questioned whether beachgoers from the mainland who bring tents, coolers and other beach supplies would use a water taxi.
“They’re not going to put that on a water taxi and then unload it and try to get to the beach,” she said.
After Thursday’s meeting, Murphy said, “Commissioners Whitmore and Van Ostenbridge have been huge supporters of our Mote Marine project and they opened doors for us in getting the project where it is today. Both are true friends to our city.”
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy is one step closer to securing the $500,000 needed to design and install the Mote Marine Education Outreach Center on the Anna Maria City Pier.
Today, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) unanimously supported the city of Anna Maria’s request to use $500,000 in county commission-controlled tourist development tax revenues to fund the city’s share of the anticipated $555,600 start-up costs.
Serving as a recommending body only, the TDC now recommends county commission approval of the city’s funding request.
Murphy told TDC members Mote Marine would cover the remaining $55,600 in initial design and installation costs, as well as any Mote-related cost overages. Murphy said Mote will then spend about $444,000 per year to staff and operate the marine-themed education outreach center.
If the funding is approved by county commissioners, Murphy estimates it will take five to seven months to transform the vacant 1,800 square foot, city-owned pier building into the proposed education outreach center.
Murphy said the center will consist of three primary elements: exhibits, educational components and community partnerships.
He said the live marine life exhibits will include an invertebrate touching pool containing horseshoe crabs, starfish, lobster and other species. There will also be live baitfish and live sport fish exhibits that reflect the area’s strong ties to fishing, and an interactive kiosk that will help people identify the fish they catch from the pier. There will also be a “sounds of the sea” component that allows visitors to hear the marine life living under and around the pier.
This rendering illustrates the vision for the Mote Marine Education Outreach Center. – Mote Marine | Submitted
The educational components will include seminars, storytelling events, fishing workshops, field trips, science tours, beach exploration and more.
TDC member Ed Chiles said he hopes the education components also address the vital importance of protecting the quality of the waters that surround Anna Maria Island and Manatee County.
When discussing potential partnerships, Murphy mentioned Anna Maria Elementary school, The Center of Anna Maria Island, the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring organization, The Anna Maria Island Historical Society and possibly the Manatee County School District.
This side of the pier building to be used by Mote Marine faces Tampa Bay and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Murphy said admission to the education outreach center will be free. However, it was noted at previous city meetings that fees may be charged for some of the special programs and activities that take place outside the education outreach center, or inside the facility after normal business hours.
Water taxi connection?
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director and TDC staff liaison Elliott Falcione mentioned the possibility of a water taxi service potentially playing a role in transporting area students to the Mote Marine facility.
“There may be a way that the city of Bradenton and the city of Anna Maria can procure a water taxi company that we may be able to sponsor through wrapping it with brand elements that gets a pilot program going from downtown Bradenton to the Anna Maria Pier. How cool would it be for the kids to get an educational exploration of the river, get to the pier and learn about Mote’s education endeavors? They can picnic up there. They can walk Pine Avenue and get back on the boat and go back,” Falcione said.
Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown alluded to a possible water taxi service earlier in the meeting when discussing a TDC-supported funding request for up to $850,000 in matching funds made by the city of Bradenton Beach for the expansion of the public dockage next to the Bridge Street Pier and a new dinghy dock near the Bridge Tender Inn.
“We have the pier already and we have the parking in place. Now it’s just getting that vendor that wants to do it,” Brown said.
ANNA MARIA – Mote Marine is another step closer to opening its education center at the end of the City Pier.
Mayor Dan Murphy and Mote Marine Laboratory President Dr. Michael Crosby signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Friday morning regarding the proposed City Pier Marine Educational Outreach Center to be located in the vacant city-owned building on the pier.
Built as part of the pier replacement project completed last year, the 1,800-square-foot building sits across the breezeway from a smaller city-owned building leased to the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop.
During Friday’s meeting, the city commission voted 5-0 in favor of entering into the memo of understanding with Mote Marine.
“This particular document is to show what our intent is. It’s not to really illustrate all of the details of how a contract would look for construction or how a lease would look,” Murphy told the commission. “There are some details included in here, but there’s a lot of details that would need to be worked out both for the construction and for the lease itself.”
The memo proposes two consecutive five-year lease terms.
According to the three-page document, “The purpose of this MOU is to set forth terms and conditions under which the city and Mote can cooperate in fulfilling common goals of both entities.”
The memo calls for the city to raise the initial $500,000 needed to transform the vacant pier building into a marine educational outreach center to be operated at Mote Marine’s expense.
On Feb. 17, the commission voted 4-1 to explore the Mote Marine option as its first choice for the use of that building. Commissioner Mark Short cast the opposition vote because he felt it was too soon to limit the choices to one option. Other potential options included a full-service restaurant, a special events venue, a retail shop and an open-air cantina.
Murphy recently spoke with Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Elliott Falcione in an effort to gauge whether the Tourist Development Council and the Manatee County Commission are interested in using revenues generated by the 5% tourist tax to cover some or all of the city’s $500,000 up-front costs.
Murphy and Public Works Manager Dean Jones also engaged in two fact-finding meetings with Crosby and his staff which provided the groundwork for the memo.
Commission questions
Short asked if the city or Mote Marine would be responsible for any cost overages beyond the initial $500,000. Murphy said Mote would be responsible for any additional costs beyond that amount. Murphy expressed his confidence that Mote representatives had done their due diligence and relied on past experience when estimating the start-up costs.
Short asked who would own the assets that result from the $500,000 expenditure. Murphy said the city would own those assets.
Mayor Dan Murphy and Dr. Michael Crosby signed the memorandum of understanding Friday morning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Commissioner Joe Muscatello said he’d like language added to the memo stating that no admission fees will be charged for the Mote Marine facility on the City Pier. Crosby said the intent is to not charge a fee to enter and access the facility, but some additional classes, nature tours, after-hours lectures and other activities would require a fee.
Muscatello asked for Manatee County schools to be added to the educational partnerships with The Center, the Anna Maria Historical Museum and the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring organization referenced in the memo.
“We already partner with them. Obviously, the school system, both public and private, is a natural,” Crosby said.
Muscatello suggested taking out a loan if needed to cover the city’s up-front costs. Murphy said he’s confident the $500,000 can be raised, but he acknowledged a loan could be sought as a last resort.
Commissioner Jon Crane said he’s reluctant to put the city in debt for this project. Although he fully supports the project, Crane said he’s heard from residents who question why Mote isn’t being asked to pay rent to the city. In response, Crosby said Mote anticipates spending approximately $440,000 a year to operate the facility.
“That’s their skin in the game,” Murphy added.
Commission Chair Carol Carter expressed confidence that private philanthropists would also help support the initial fundraising efforts if needed.
During public comment, Murphy’s wife, Barbara, suggested placing a donation box on the pier, similar to the one at the nearby historical museum.
“We need to make sure that the general public has an opportunity to contribute,” she said.
Murphy said he’d be meeting soon with someone from the School District of Manatee County to discuss the possibility of using federal funds to help support the environmental education activities to be provided by the City Pier facility.
Initial funding will now be sought to create a Mote Marine educational outreach center inside this currently vacant pier building. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The memo notes the city and Mote share common goals that include educating visitors and residents about the importance of preserving natural resources and marine life, promoting conservation and encouraging ecotourism.
The memo states that Mote will be responsible for hiring an architect and engineer, subject to the approval of the city. Mote is to develop the plans, hire the needed subcontractors, supervise the construction project and submit those bills for city review and payment.
In closing, Crosby said, “I just want to express Mote’s excitement about the potential to partner with the city on this and be on this historic pier. It’s an incredible opportunity for all of us in the community here. This is an MOU that enables you to go forward and us to help you.”
ANNA MARIA – The city’s pursuit of a proposed Mote Marine educational outreach center on the City Pier continues.
During the Thursday, Feb. 25 city commission meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy said he planned to meet privately with Mote Marine President and CEO Dr. Michael Crosby and some additional Mote Marine staff members on Wednesday, March 3.
Topics to be discussed during the preliminary fact-finding meeting were to include financial and operational responsibilities and potential lease terms for Mote Marine’s use of the still-vacant city-owned pier building located next to the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop. Based on that meeting, Murphy will then develop a more detailed plan to present for commission consideration later this month.
This rendering illustrates what the inside of the currently vacant City Pier building would look like if used as a marine educational outreach center. – Mote Marine | Submitted
Murphy said he spoke to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Elliott Falcione and submitted a funding application for possible consideration by the Tourist Development Council (TDC) and the Manatee County Commission.
Murphy said he’s trying to gauge the county’s interest in providing some or all of the $500,000 the city would need to raise to establish a marine educational outreach center that would then be operated at Mote Marine’s expense. The Mote Marine proposal does not call for Mote Marine to make monthly lease payments or compensate the city for the use of the pier building.
Additional potential uses discussed on Feb. 10 and Feb. 17 included a full-service restaurant, a special events venue or a retail shop. During those meetings, no public opposition was expressed regarding the proposed Mote Marine facility.
On Feb. 17, the commission voted 4-1 to explore the Mote Marine option first. Commissioner Mark Short opposed limiting the city’s options to a single choice at this time.
During the Feb. 25 meeting, city resident and current Mote Marine board member Bob Carter clarified his role in the pursuit of a Mote Marine facility on the City Pier.
“There’s been some question about my motives in suggesting that Mote be out there,” he said.
Carter said serving as a volunteer Mote Marine board member provides him no financial gain. He also noted that he previously chaired the National Aquarium Board.
Mote Marine board member Bob Carter helped spur Mote Marine’s interest in the use of the vacant City Pier building. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“People on the Island know that I, as well as my spouse (Commissioner Carol Carter), am very interested in the environment. We helped bring Philippe Cousteau here to talk about clean oceans. We helped bring John Englander here to talk about sea level rise. I don’t make any apologies for financially supporting and advocating for these causes in education, conservation, environment and global health. That’s why I suggested to Dr. Crosby that he might want to do something out here, and I’m delighted the commission has seen fit to give them a chance to do this. It will set this pier apart from a commercial-only enterprise and it will become a landmark of a different kind,” Carter said.
Comprehensive plan considerations
Carol Carter then referenced the city’s comprehensive plan – the document that establishes the overall vision for the city’s development and future growth. She noted the comp plan includes elements that address recreational, environmental and educational components.
“I think that’s an important thing for us to consider,” she said.
“I’m just astounded some people are still demanding a restaurant,” Commissioner Joe Muscatello added.
Anna Maria Commissioner Joe Muscatello doesn’t understand the continued pleas for another pier restaurant. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Nowhere in the comprehensive plan does it say that we should be renting property for profit. But it does say we should be providing recreational facilities and we should be endorsing environmental education,” Murphy said. “We don’t get any revenue from the (Island) Players. We don’t get any revenue from the historical museum. We don’t get any money from the community center. This is not a new concept to this city, to take city space and use it to fulfill what’s in the comprehensive plan. I truly believe government fulfills a space that private enterprise cannot fill. That’s our mission.”
Carol Carter thanked Murphy for his preliminary efforts and said, “It’s not a done deal. We understand that.”
ANNA MARIA – No decision has been made, but Mote Marine has emerged as the leading candidate to occupy the vacant building on the Anna Maria City Pier.
Representatives from the Sarasota-based Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium presented their proposal for the City Pier Marine Educational Outreach Center during a special city commission meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The meeting took place inside the vacant city-owned pier building adjacent to the smaller pier building leased to the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop operators.
The purpose of the nonvoting meeting was to present and receive public input on the potential uses for the 1,800-square-foot space constructed as part of the pier replacement project completed in 2020. Other potential uses include a full-service restaurant, a retail store, a special events venue, or a combination of those.
Murphy said the intent was to narrow down the possibilities to the best one or two options. He noted the $6.8 million pier is debt-free and has already been paid for using federal, state, county and city funds.
Mote Marine proposal
The Mote Marine presenters included President and CEO Dr. Michael Crosby, Assistant Vice President of the Aquarium Evan Barniskas and Assistant Vice President of Education Aly Busse.
City officials are trying to determine the best use for the City Pier building on the right. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Speaking first, Crosby commended the city for doing an incredible job on the new pier. He noted the presence of a City Pier in that location for more than 100 years has created a strong link with the Anna Maria community and the surrounding waters.
Crosby described Mote Marine as a 66-year-old homegrown institution that’s known worldwide for its innovative and cutting-edge research, but less known for its innovative education, community outreach and community engagement activities.
“These waters are the business of Mote Marine Laboratory. What better venue could we possibly have for translating and transferring the science that we do at Mote to the public-at-large? This is an incredible opportunity to partner with this community to do some things we hope are going to add to the overall ocean literacy amongst the public but will also be a great attraction for visitors, as well as a place of pride for the local community,” Crosby said.
“In a nutshell, this is what we are looking for – a partnership to create a marine education and outreach center right here that I think would pair so nicely with the wonderful business that smells so good right next door,” he added.
The Mote Marine presentation included this proposed floor plan. – Mote Marine | Submitted
Barniskas spoke about the aquarium-style exhibits and his presentation included a rendering of a proposed facility that includes live exhibits that allow visitors to interact with live marine life.
The live exhibits would also focus on local sportfishing: “They can come in here and see the fish they were hoping to catch: Grunts, snappers, groupers and all that type of stuff. We’re also going to have a grass flats exhibit that’s going to show the smaller fish, the smaller invertebrates, crabs and that type of stuff. We’ll also have a schooling fish exhibit,” Barniskas said.
He also mentioned a sport fish identification exhibit, a “sounds of the sea” exhibit, microscopes, and interpretive graphics that explain the local sea life and their importance to the surrounding environment.
“When the visitors come to this center and touch an animal they’ve never touched before, they’ll take that memory with them the rest of their lives,” Barniskas said.
Busse said the education programs would take place inside and outside of the facility.
“At Mote, we pride ourselves on our ‘K to Gray’ education programming,” she said about programs geared for toddlers through senior citizens.
She mentioned guided nature tours, an exploration backpack program, fishing workshops and science projects. She also mentioned excursions on the water that allow people to interact with marine life in the natural environment. Crosby said Mote Marine’s research vessels would visit the pier.
Proposed budget
The Mote Marine presentation included a proposed budget for start-up and operating costs, and Crosby said he envisions the city taking the lead on securing the initial funds needed to create the facility.
Mote Marine President Dr. Michael Crosby touted the virtues of a partnership with the city of Anna Maria. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The proposed budget includes $555,000 for the initial design and installation, with $500,000 to be raised by the city and $55,000 to be raised by Mote Marine and its philanthropic partners.
The budget proposes $444,000 in annual operating costs, including $303,212 for Mote Marine staff members. This city would be asked to pay an estimated $9,500 in annual utility bills.
The budget proposes Mote generating $66,000 in annual retail sales, $20,000 from education programs and $10,000 from donations, with Mote Marine contributing approximately $337,000 annually.
The proposal does not include monthly rent payments paid to the city.
“Once the funds are in fact secured, we’re pretty confident we can get this done in less than half a year,” Crosby said.
Other options and reactions
Murphy also addressed the other potential uses. He said a special events venue could be used for meetings, celebrations, expositions, art shows and more, but he didn’t envision it being used for weddings. He said the vacant space could accommodate a 61-seat full-service restaurant, but the limited seating allowance would require a more expensive liquor license.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy presented the other possible pier buildings uses. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Residents Shelia Fusé and Bob Carter expressed support for the Mote proposals, as did City Pier Grill operators Brian Seymour and Nick Graham, and Jim McDaniel, director of development for The Center of Anna Maria Island.
Commission Chair Carol Carter questioned the need for another full-service restaurant when others already exist near the pier. She also expressed concerns about “mega-events” being held in the special events venue after the COVID pandemic subsides.
The Mote Marine proposal garnered preliminary support from the five commissioners and commissioners Joe Muscatello and Jon Crane said they would support it if asked to vote that day, which they were not. These ongoing discussions will continue during another special meeting to be held inside the pier building at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17.
ANNA MARIA – The public will soon be given a chance to provide input on the future use of the currently vacant City Pier building.
The city of Anna Maria will host a public meeting on the City Pier on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 1:30 p.m.
Originally scheduled for Feb. 2 but then pushed back a week, the Feb. 10 meeting will take place inside the larger city-owned pier building that was originally intended to be occupied by a restaurant operator.
With Brian Seymour, Nick Graham and Vic Mattay now operating the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop in the smaller of the two city-owned pier buildings, the future use of the larger pier building remains undetermined.
During the Thursday, Jan. 14 city commission meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy proposed a special meeting at which he would provide the public and the commission with some possible options.
“Between now and the end of the month, I will have some recommendations for the city commission to consider,” he said.
Commissioner Joe Muscatello suggested the meeting take place inside the pier building so the public can see the available space for themselves.
Murphy said the possible options include a full-service, sit-down restaurant, a special event facility, or a special event facility that also includes a retail sales operation. He also said representatives of the Sarasota-based Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium have expressed interest in using the vacant space for a learning lab.
“Mote Marine has some very specific ideas they’d like to share with our commission, so they need to be in attendance at that meeting,” Murphy said.
Murphy said the possible use could include a combination of some of these possibilities and that no one has approached him recently with any specific plans for a restaurant, retail space, or special event venue.
He added he will provide commissioners with some basic architectural drawings that illustrate how the interior space could be used for the various possibilities.
“I think we need to decide what we’re going to do with it,” Murphy said of the vacant space made more valuable by its beautiful views.
Murphy said he doesn’t expect the commission to decide at the Feb. 10 meeting.
“This is just the first meeting to discuss the future of that space. I don’t think you can do it all in one meeting,” he said while noting he expects to hear a variety of proposals and ideas.
“We can put together a plan, but I can’t pursue five plans at once. I think we need to agree on our first choice, and maybe here’s our second and here’s our third. We need to zero in on one plan and drive that into fruition as quickly as possible.”
