Tag: Anna Maria Island

FDOT plans Gulf Drive corridor study

Written by Joe Hendricks on May 22, 2023. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The city commission will decide whether the Anna Maria-owned portion of Gulf Drive will be included in a $1.5 million Island-wide Gulf Drive corridor study.

The commission is expected to make its decision on Thursday, May 25.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Engineer/Design Manager Craig Fox presented the proposed study during the May 8 Island Transportation Planning Organization (ITPO) meeting held at Anna Maria City Hall.

FDOT will fund the Gulf Drive corridor study, which is expected to begin in November and take a maximum of two years to complete. Fox said the study area will extend along the entire portion of Gulf Drive/State Road 789 in Bradenton Beach, from the Longboat Pass Bridge to the Bradenton Beach/Holmes Beach border.

In Holmes Beach, the study will continue along East Bay Drive to the Manatee Avenue intersection. The study area continues from the Manatee Avenue/Gulf Drive intersection and along Gulf Drive through Holmes Beach to the Gulf Drive/Palm Drive intersection. The study then continues along Gulf Drive to the Holmes Beach/Anna Maria border. The study area in Holmes Beach will not include Marina Drive or the portion of Gulf Drive between Walgreens and the West Coast Surf Shop. The Anna Maria commission is to decide if the study continues along Gulf Drive to Pine Avenue.

Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Executive Director David Hutchinson said the cities of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach requested the study and FDOT decided to include the Anna Maria portion of Gulf Drive as well.

Fox said the cities can use the study results to pursue state and federal funds to implement the potential street and right-of-way improvements identified in the study.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy reminded Cox that the city, not the state, owns the portion of Gulf Drive located in Anna Maria and has owned it since the state turned over ownership and maintenance of that road in the early 1970s. Murphy said the city has already studied and improved the city’s portion of the road.

Murphy asked Cox if the city can opt out of the study. Cox said the city can.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said the goal is to come up with a consistent design that meets FDOT’s basic complete street standards which include sidewalks, multi-use trails, crosswalks and more.

“This complete streets study is clearly about safety and mobility, and having this information so funding can hopefully follow to move forward and do something,” Chappie said.

Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins asked why Marina Drive is not included in the study area. He was told safety and drainage improvements have already been made there.

Commission briefed

During the May 15 city commission meeting, Murphy briefed the commissioners about the proposed study. He said he received the latest version of FDOT’s 46-page scope of services document the previous evening and would send it to them. Murphy asked the commissioners to review the proposed study for further discussion and decision-making on Thursday, May 25.

The FDOT document is titled “Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Studies Barrier Island Complete Streets Improvements.” It lists two main project objectives – implementing recommendations made in the previously completed Barrier Island Traffic Study and reducing flooding along the Gulf Drive/SR 789 corridor.

Murphy told the commission he’s not a big fan of these types of studies and he’s seen three or four studies done on the Island in the past that have not yet resulted in any significant follow-up action.

In 2014-15, the three Island cities and Manatee County partnered on a $125,000 Island-wide Urban Land Institute study which to date has not produced any significant study-related actions.

Murphy referenced the Sarasota-Manatee Barrier Island Traffic Study initiated in 2016 and completed in 2020 that recommends extending the Manatee Avenue right turn lane near the Manatee Avenue/Gulf Drive intersection, which has not happened yet.

According to the traffic study-related phase 2 report dated 2018 and posted at the MPO website, FDOT plans to include the Manatee Avenue right turn lane extension as part of the future Anna Maria Bridge replacement project that currently has no announced start date.

When contacted after he reviewed the FDOT plans, Murphy said, “It’s up to our city commission to decide if the city wants this to go forward. I have thought all along that it was odd for FDOT to come into a city and do a study without first at least discussing what is being studied and why. I am comfortable that we now have it under control and the commission will make that decision Thursday night.”

Hurricane Expo stresses preparedness

Written by Jason Schaffer on May 22, 2023. Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

PALMETTO – Even though Anna Maria Island and most of Manatee County dodged the worst of Hurricane Ian last year, there were still plenty of lessons learned, and the community was reminded of how much of a threat a major hurricane is to the area, especially those living on the barrier islands like AMI.
Even with the storm turning in its final hours of approach to the Island, many still went close to a week without power and there was significant wind damage. To help the community be better prepared for future hurricanes, Manatee County hosted the Third Annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo on May 18 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto.

The expo featured more than 50 booths with valuable information about how to survive a storm. There was plenty to take away from the event, but the theme echoed by most experts was to be prepared, take watches and warnings seriously, and when told to evacuate, to do so as quickly as possible.

There were rescue vehicles from multiple agencies that do search and rescue in the county, law enforcement was on hand to answer questions and dozens of vendors were on hand to answer questions about everything from stormproof doors and windows to how to take care of pets during a disaster.

“We begin to mobilize long before a major storm hits the area,” said Gary Weinstein, of the Red Cross Manatee County. “Getting food, water, medical supplies and other anticipated post-disaster necessities is vital to help those in need after the storm.”

Carolyn Nielson of the Manatee County Salvation Army echoed the Red Cross regarding being prepared and being ready to step in when needed. The Red Cross had its relief truck on hand at the event.

“We come out and not only get food and water to people in the community that need us, but we also serve first responders and those helping in the effort after a storm who work long hours to serve others,” Nielson said.

Sun Coast Blood Center was on hand as well, and stressed the need to give blood before a disaster hits.

“It takes a bit of time for blood donated to be processed, so waiting until after a disaster isn’t the best option,” Sun Coast Blood Center’s Whitlie Turner said. “Now, before hurricane season, is when we really encourage people to come out and give blood.”

Center soccer kicking toward championships

Written by Monica Simpson on May 22, 2023. Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – With all three soccer leagues winding down at The Center, the championship games are in sight for the youth and adult Island ballers.

Last Tuesday night the number one and two seed teams in the 8- to 10-year-old league had a bye week as their reward for finishing the regular season on top. The Cheesecake Cutie team finished number one with 15 points in the season and a 5-1-0 record.

The Sato Real Estate squad came in a close second with 12 points and four wins in the six-game regular season.

Four scorers put up the points for team Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control last week to put the team into the next round of playoffs. Wesley Bekkerus, Madeline Kimmons, Maggie Niedzwick and Callin Westfall each made a goal against AMI Coconuts goalkeeper Andre Harwood.

The Westfall offense kept Harwood on his toes during the first-round playoff game, making 10 saves in the match. In the opposite goal, Westfall is credited with a save, along with teammate Kason Price’s seven stops.

Scoring the lone goal for AMI Coconuts, TJ Hagey and his teammates could not get past their opponents’ defense and find the net.

Westfall’s Lawn Care took on Sato Real Estate Monday in the first youth semifinal game. In the second game this past Monday, Cheesecake Cutie played team Island Real Estate, the winner of the second quarterfinal game last week.

In post-regulation time penalty kicks, Island Real Estate secured the second semifinal slot, winning against Solid Rock Construction.

Before the PKs, each team scored a single goal. Solid Rock’s Matthew Darak and Island Real Estate’s Preston LaPensee took the teams to a kickoff to determine who played the Cheesecake squad.

With seven and eight saves respectively, goalies Isaac Roadman, for Solid Rock Construction, and Miles Moss, for Island Real Estate, helped secure the overtime play.

Solid Rock Construction’s Elijah Roadman made the only PK for his team. Under the pressure of overtime play, Owen Mahoney and Jordy Perez each made their penalty kicks, helping to secure Island Real Estate’s place in the semifinals.

The winners of the league go head-to-head on May 23 at 6 p.m. in the final game of the season.

The 11- to 13-year-old teams finished their regular season games last week with Gulf Drive Café defeating Shady Lady Horticultural Services 4-3 and HSH Designs winning over Moss Builders 5-2.

Monday night the Gulf Drive team was scheduled to play team Shady Lady in the semifinals. The other semifinal matchup put HSH Designs against Moss Builders to determine the championship game scheduled for May 23 at 7 p.m.

Adult co-ed soccer semifinal play last Thursday night saw the second seed Pool America winning by one goal against the eighth seed Moss Builders.

In the second game of the night, Vintage Beach, ranked seventh, beat the third seed Sandbar Seafood & Spirits 6-3.

The Paul “Ace” Hayward championship game is scheduled for Thursday night at The Center to end another season of soccer on the Island.

Sun Scoreboard

May 16

8- to 10-year-old League

Round One Playoffs

#3 Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control 4

#6 AMI Coconuts 1

#4 Solid Rock Construction 1

#5 Island Real Estate 1 – Winner in PKs 3-2

11- to 13-year-old League

Week 7

#1 Gulf Drive Café (5-1-1) 4

#4 Shady Lady Horticultural Services (0-6-1) 3

#3 HSH Designs (3-2-2) 5

#2 Moss Builders (3-2-2) 3

May 18

Adult Co-Ed Soccer

Semifinal Playoff Games

#5 Pool America 2

#8 Moss Builders 1

#7 Vintage Beach 6

#3 Sandbar Seafood & Spirits 3

Too good to give up

Written by Louise Bolger on May 22, 2023. Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

According to Lawrence Yen, whom I quote frequently, “It’s a unique market condition.”

Coming from the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, this is saying something considering all of the other unique markets we’ve lived through. This particular unique market is the continuation of a lack of inventory even though sales are down in most areas of the country including many parts of Florida, as well as ours.

The problem is that a large portion of homeowners in the country don’t want to sell. This group may actually want to sell and move on to a larger family home or retire to a smaller home, but they feel they are locked into very low-rate mortgages. The “golden handcuffs” homeowners find themselves locked into are keeping the supply of homes for sale unusually low.

The lack of properties is not the first time this has happened. The sub-prime mortgage crisis slowed things down, as did COVID-19 when buyers rushed to snap up larger homes when remote work and school necessitated more family space.

So, what happens when supplies go down or at least don’t go significantly up? Supply and demand kicks in and prices go up. A healthy housing market is traditionally described as having four to six months’ supply of homes. Right now, Manatee County is at 2.7 months for single-family homes.

However, builders are getting a boost from the lack of resales and are starting to build again now that the supply chain is improving. And home improvement contractors are also benefiting since those homeowners who are staying put are expanding and remodeling.

According to the mortgage data firm Black Knight, as of March 31, nearly two-thirds of primary mortgages had an interest rate below 4%. In addition, about 73% of primary mortgages have fixed rates for 30 years; these mortgages are “golden” and something homeowners won’t easily give up. Current mortgage rates are approximately in the mid-6% range and have fortunately been steady for a while.

The April sales statistics for Manatee County were released at the end of last week so it’s time to report what the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee published.

Single-family homes in Manatee County hit a record median sale price of $570,000, 10.7% more than in April last year. This surpasses the previous record for median home prices, meaning so far, our local market continues to be strong relative to the country as a whole. Here’s the rest of the story.

Single-family homes closed with 4.3% fewer properties from April of last year. The median sales price was $570,000, up 10.7% from last April, and the average sale price was $735,779, up 0.9%. The median time to contract was 28 days versus five days last year. New pending sales were up 30.2% and the month’s supply of properties was 2.7 months.

Condos closed 15.8% fewer properties from April of last year. The median sales price was $380,795, up 8.8%, and the average sale price was $452,160, up 12.9%. The median time to contract was 27 days versus five days last year. New pending sales were up 4% and the month’s supply of properties was 3.5 months.

One of the advantageous side effects of this unique market is the fact that in spite of inflation and job layoffs, the housing market and housing prices may stay strong nationally. Not great news for marginal buyers or first-time buyers, but buyers with equity from a previous home and income to cover the additional mortgage rates will keep things afloat.

Unique can be a good or a bad thing; either way, we’re still struggling with a lack of inventory.

Letter to the Editor: Chamber thanks golf tournament participants

Written by SUN contributor on May 22, 2023. Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank everyone who participated in our 2023 Golf Tournament for Scholarships at IMG Academy Golf Club. We wish to acknowledge our Presenting Sponsor, Tom Sanger Pool & Spa, our Apparel Sponsor, Jay Pros, and our Gold Sponsor, LaPensee Plumbing/Pools/Air. To our golfers, volunteers, food and beverage sponsors and the many businesses who donated raffle prizes, our heartfelt thanks for making this another successful great day on the links. The Chamber of Commerce weather provided everyone involved with an outstanding day of golf and fellowship. We appreciate all of the support and hope you can participate again for 2024!

Terri Kinder

President, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce

Pines Trailer Park purchase offer accepted

Written by Joe Hendricks on May 19, 2023. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – A May 8 letter Largo-based attorney David Luczak sent to the Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association board members addresses the sale of the waterfront mobile home park. The accepted purchase offer appears to give the Pines Trailer Park’s permanent and seasonal residents at least five years to remain in their mobile homes and make their future plans.

The pending sale follows the Pines Trailer Park residents’ unsuccessful efforts to form a co-op and raise enough money to purchase the mobile home park owned by Richard and William Jackson’s Jackson Partnership LLLP.

Luczak’s letter begins by saying, “As you know, this office represents the owners and management of the Pines Trailer Park. In accordance with the provisions of Florida Statutes 723.071(2), we hereby notify you that we have received a bona fide offer to purchase Pines Trailer Park. We intend to consider and accept this offer. The terms are as follows:

Purchase Price: $16.25 million, which includes all park-owned mobile homes, recreational vehicles, equipment, materials, vehicles, buildings, etc.
Initial deposit: $1 million non-refundable deposit within three days of the execution and delivery of the purchase and sale agreement.
Due diligence: The due diligence period shall run for 15 days from the date of the execution of the purchase and sale agreement.
Additional deposit: At the end of the due diligence period, the buyer shall deposit an additional $1 million. At that time, the entire $2 million deposit shall be non-refundable.
Closing: Forty-five days from the successful completion of the due diligence period this transaction shall close unless extended by agreement of the buyer and seller,” according to Luczak’s letter.”

Luczak’s letter does not identify the person or entity purchasing the park.

The final term of the offer appears to allow the current Pines residents and mobile homeowners five to seven more years to remain in the park:

“Seller financing: Seller to hold a purchase money mortgage on the subject property in the amount of $8.125 million at 4.5% interest payable with interest-only payments for five years and no right of pre-payment. Buyer may not seek a land use change during the period of the mortgage financing. Seller may agree to a two-year extension on financing with interest-only monthly payments and the same terms as the original five-year mortgage,” according to Luczak’s letter.

While attempting to raise the money needed to buy the park, the Pines residents and homeowners participated in several community meetings that were held in the Pines clubhouse building. The printed minutes for the April 18 meeting address the rezoning that would be required in order to redevelop the Pines property as something other than a mobile home park.

“The new purchaser of the park will have to get the property rezoned in order to change the land use from a resident park to something else. It is hard to guess how long that process would take,” according to the April 18 meeting minutes.

Rezoning the Pines’ property from its current M-1 Mobile Home Park District zoning designation would require the approval of the Bradenton Beach City Commission after the proposed rezoning is first reviewed by city staff and the city’s planning and zoning board.

Related coverage

Pines purchase efforts fall short

City leaders continue garage fight

Written by SUN contributor on May 15, 2023. Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – The Florida House of Representatives and Senate may have passed House Bill 947 on to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s desk, but that doesn’t mean that city leaders are done fighting against the construction of a parking garage at Manatee Beach.

During a May 9 commission meeting, Mayor Judy Titsworth and City Attorney Erica Augello said they’re exploring every available legal strategy to combat the parking garage bill which would see a three-story garage built over the current parking, concession stand, retail space and restroom facilities at the Manatee County-owned beach property. Estimated to cost $45 million to build over a minimum of two years, the garage is planned to hold 1,500-1,700 paid parking spaces, a new concession stand, retail space, restrooms and a bar. While the garage is under construction, parking at the beach, located at 4000 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, would be unavailable.

Currently, city leaders are asking residents and other Anna Maria Island stakeholders to write to DeSantis to encourage him to veto the bill. DeSantis can veto the bill, sign it into law, or take no action and allow it to become law. As of press time for The Sun, DeSantis had taken no action on the bill.

If the bill becomes law, Augello said she thinks there are a few ways for the city to fight it in court, however, she didn’t want to give away any available strategies during a public meeting.

Plans for a parking garage were first discussed between county and city elected officials as far back as 2021. Multi-level parking structures were never an approved land use in the city but are allowed by special exception, granted by city commissioners at a public hearing. When commissioners moved to pass an ordinance clarifying the land use restriction, Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge took the matter to county state legislative representatives, where the plan to construct the garage received unanimous support. The bill to bypass city regulations and allow the county to issue its own permits for the construction of a parking garage at the Manatee Beach property is sponsored by Rep. Will Robinson Jr., a Manatee County native.

Curse of the first continues for Center soccer

Written by Monica Simpson on May 15, 2023. Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – The adult co-ed recreational soccer playoff games kicked off last Thursday night at the Island’s community center. After seven weeks of exciting soccer play, eight teams battled it out in four action-packed matches.

To start the night at The Center, first-seed Duncan Real Estate took the field as the team to beat, losing only one game in the regular season. Their opponent, the last-place Moss Builders team, had nothing to lose and a seat in the semifinals to gain with the win.

With friends and family cheering on both sides, the underdogs Moss Builders ended the first half of play with a two-goal lead against the Duncan squad.

The Duncan team struggled to click as a team in the game. Moving the ball down the field was an effort against a motivated Moss Builder defense.

After nearly two halves of play in the heat of the early evening, the game was tied with only minutes left in the game.

Duncan Real Estate goalkeeper, Charles “Tuna” McCracken, uncharacteristically let two soccer balls past him with an absent defense at the end of the game. McCracken finished with seven saves, letting five go.

McCracken’s Moss Builders’ counterpart David Moss had eight big stops to help his team to victory.

The hard strikes of Adam Bujarski and Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos, each with two goals in the quarterfinal game, helped the Moss team advance in the playoffs. Teammate Cemal Duzgun scored a solo goal in the match.

Duzgun and Pedro Gonzalez are credited with assists in the goal scoring for Moss Builders.

Despite the defeat, the Duncan Real Estate team put three points on the scoreboard. Team captain Kevin Roman scored his last two goals of the season and Erica Nielsen had a nice goal for Duncan. The offensive efforts, including assists by Tyler Brewer and Murat Akay, just were not enough to give their team a W.

Moss Builders moves on in the playoffs, facing Pool America at on Thursday night, May 18, at 7 p.m. at The Center. Pool America beat Gulfview Windows & Doors after a tie in regulation play.

After eight PK shots, Pool America came out on top, with goals by Nate Welch, Eduardo Schlueter and Jamie Hutchison. Dean Hinterstoisser, as the third shooter for Pool America, surprisingly missed his shot.

Keith Mahoney, shooting for Gulfview, was the only one of the four shooters for his team to make the shot.

Goalkeepers Mark Long, for Gulfview Windows & Doors, and Pool America’s Robb Marshall, both made critical stops for their teams with six and seven saves, respectively.

In other adult soccer semifinal playoff action, the Sandbar team faces the Vintage Beach squad in the semifinals at 8 p.m. this week. Vintage Beach defeated Sato Real Estate by one goal, while the Solid Rock Construction team lost to Sandbar Seafood & Spirits with a final score of 5-3.

This week in youth soccer, the 8- to 10-year-olds started league playoff action on the small pitch. The 11- to 13-year-old league finished their regular season games on Tuesday and will start playoff play next week.

As the summer heat approaches, spring soccer at The Center starts coming to a close with championship play in the coming weeks.