Skip to main content

Tag: Restaurant

Future use of the City Pier buildings discussed 

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Featured.

 ANNA MARIA – The city hosted a town hall meeting regarding the future use of the City Pier building previously occupied by Mote Marine. 

Many who spoke during Tuesday, Jan. 27, meeting would like to see a full-service, sit-down restaurant on the pier. 

Mayor Mark Short scheduled the town hall meeting because he and the city commission wanted to hear what the public wants to see in the hurricane-impacted pier space vacated by Mote Marine. The building previously occupied by Mote Marine is the larger of the two city-owned buildings at the T-end of the pier. 

Anna Maria General Store owner/operator Brian Seymour and his business partners hold the lease on the smaller pier building from which they operated The City Pier Grill & Bait Shop from 2020 until Hurricane Milton ripped away the City Pier walkway in October 2024. The smaller pier building does not provide space for indoor seating. 

The City Pier Grill & Bait Shop operated from the smaller building from 2020 until the 2024 hurricanes struck. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Before opening the town hall meeting up for public input, Mayor Mark Short said the pier replacement project that includes the construction of a new pier walkway and also includes repairs and remediation to the hurricane-impacted pier buildings and the replacement of utility lines and other infrastructure needs is now estimated cost between $7.1 million to $7.8 million. 

Short said that cost estimate doesn’t include the higher amperage power supply and the interior buildout that might be needed to operate a larger, full-service restaurant on the pier.

Short said his goal is to have the City Pier fully reopened at some point this fall.

Short said the county’s desire to install a Gulf Islands Ferry landing alongside the new City Pier walkway to accommodate the larger, partially enclosed 96-passenger ferry boat (Manatee Belle) the county could result in 90 passengers getting off the boat and 90 more passengers waiting to board the boat at the same time and that too would impact the future use of the pier buildings.

Short said he doesn’t want the City Pier to become exclusively used as a staging area for the county’s ferry passengers and he wants the pier to remain available to all users. 

Commissioner John Lynch said he believes the mayor and commission are embracing the county’s ferry service but there are “critical issues” that need to be addressed regarding the flow of all those additional people on the pier.

Short said he and the commission need to have a pretty good sense of how the pier buildings will be used before the pier walkway is fully constructed and completed by March 31. 

PUBLIC INPUT

Short asked that one town hall attendee at a time come forward at a time to suggest a potential use of the pier building to be discussed before another potential use was suggested. 

Speaking first, Anna Maria resident Amir Banaly said he’d like to see the larger pier building used as a coffee shop. 

“I think it’s very simple to accommodate and accomplish without any changes,” he said.

Anna Maria resident Janis Ian suggested a coffee stand with one or two New York City-style hotdog carts. 

“I think a hot dog cart on the pier would look cool,” Ian said.

Janis Ian shared her views on the future use of the larger pier building. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

She also encouraged the mayor and commission not to be held hostage by the county regarding the impacts a larger ferry boat would have on the pier operations.

Seymour suggested an operation similar to what former pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder did until Hurricane Irma closed the previous pier in 2017. Schoenfelder operated the City Pier Restaurant in the larger pier building and a bait shop and draft beer bar in the smaller building. 

Seymour said he and his business partners still have 15 months remaining on the hurricane-suspended lease that was scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2025. He said he and his partners also have the option to lease the pier for five more years beyond the remaining 15 months that will resume when the pier reopens. 

Brian Seymour expressed interest in leasing both city-owned pier buildings. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Seymour said it may not make sense for him to resume his City Pier Grill operations in the small building only. He said he would be interested in leasing both pier buildings to operate a sit-down restaurant in the large building and use the smaller building as a bait shop that serves draft pier and provides additional storage space. 

Anna Maria resident Cory Jackson said he’s president of Anna Maria Beach Cottages and his rental guests tell him they would like a to see a sit-down restaurant on the pier again.

“I think it’s very critical that we have a restaurant,” Jackson said.

Anna Maria resident and planning and zoning board member Jeff Rodencal suggested revisiting a previously discarded idea to install a stand-alone ferry landing between the pier walkway and the Lake La Vista jetty and he encouraged the commission to consider not landing all the ferry passengers on the City Pier at all. 

No decisions were made during the town hall meeting and the future use of the City Pier buildings will remain an ongoing topic of conversation for the mayor and commission until some decisions are made.

New City Pier expected to open in April

New City Pier expected to open in April

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy expects the new Anna Maria City Pier to open in April, but he has not yet determined an exact opening date.

“It looks like in the April timeframe we’ll be opening the pier for fishing and sightseeing,” Murphy told the city commission on Thursday, March 12.

Murphy said Florida Power & Light completed its work on the pier that day. That work consisted of installing transformers and electrical connections needed to light the new pier and to power the new restaurant, bait shop and public restrooms at the pier’s T-end.

Murphy said he would provide a specific opening date once he completes an analysis of the remaining work that needs to be done.

Due to the lingering concerns and uncertainties associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19), Murphy said he and the commission will soon determine whether the city will host grand opening ceremonies for the pier as previously discussed.

Pier RFP deadlines

As of Sunday, no changes had been made to the existing schedule for interested restaurateurs to respond to the city’s request for proposals for a new pier tenant to lease the restaurant and bait shop buildings.

According to the city website, Wednesday, March 25 is still the last day to submit written questions about the city-owned spaces for lease. Wednesday, April 8 is still the deadline to submit the pier lease proposals scheduled to be opened inside the commission chambers at approximately 1 p.m. that day.

Murphy recently said he expects the new restaurant and bait shop to open during the fourth quarter of the current year or the first quarter of 2021.

Deadline extended for final pier lease offer

Deadline extended for final pier lease offer

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

ANNA MARIA – Mario Schoenfelder now has until Dec. 31 to submit his final offer for the lease of the restaurant and bait shop buildings being built on the new Anna Maria City Pier.

During an emergency commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 26, the Anna Maria City Commission unanimously granted Schoenfelder’s written request for more time to prepare and submit his final lease offer, which was originally due Friday, Dec. 13.

Mayor Dan Murphy told the commission Schoenfelder needs time to analyze the information he receives from his own contractor regarding the estimated cost for the interior build-outs for the city-owned buildings he hopes to lease. Murphy said Schoenfelder expects to have that information by Dec. 8 and he expects to submit his final offer by Dec. 30.

Mason Martin Builders is building the exterior shells of the new restaurant and bait shop buildings but that firm’s contract with the city does not include the interior build-outs to be completed by the pier tenant.

“I would recommend that we give him this extension, but it is certainly up to each of you,” Murphy said to the commission regarding Schoenfelder’s request.

Participating by phone, Commissioner Mark Short referenced the commission’s recent decision to authorize Murphy to prepare and have ready a request for proposals that would allow other restaurateurs to submit lease proposals if the commission rejects Schoenfelder’s final offer.

Short asked if giving Schoenfelder more time would delay that RFP process. Murphy said it would not. Short asked if the RFP would be ready to present to the commission on Jan. 9, if needed. Murphy said it would.

Murphy recommended the commission not make any final decisions regarding Schoenfelder’s final offer or the issuance of an RFP until a full commission is seated on Jan. 9. That’s when the commission will appoint someone to fill the commission seat Dale Woodland vacates on Dec. 5 due to his failure to properly qualify for the 2019 city elections.

Murphy said Schoenfelder will not return to the United States until March and would like to discuss his final offer with the commission as a whole.

“March is too long to wait. We need to know, and he needs to know, where we stand on his final offer,” Murphy said of that timeline.

Murphy said the commission discussion with Schoenfelder could take place in January via Skype, telephone or some other means of electronic communication, but the commission first needs to see his final offer.

Previous offers

Schoenfelder’s current pier lease expires on Dec. 15, 2020. In October, Schoenfelder rejected two lease options Murphy presented him. One option proposed a base rent of $21,600 per month with a 3% annual increase. The second option proposed a base rent of $18,900 per month, a $250,000 up-front payment and the same annual increase. In an email to Murphy, Schoenfelder noted his own previous offer was $12,000 per month.

When the old pier closed in September 2017, Schoenfelder was paying $9,240 a month, according to his lease contract. His monthly rent was scheduled to increase to $10,080 in December 2018, but that increase never occurred because his lease payments were suspended after the pier was closed.

 Other pier matters

On Nov. 26, the commission also authorized Murphy to sign a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the additional $285,000 the Florida Legislature approved for the pier project earlier this year.

Deadline extended for final pier lease offer
On Tuesday, Nov. 26, this stack of Ipe hardwood decking awaited installation on the new pier walkway. – Joe Hendricks

Murphy said the $285,000 includes restrictions and auditing requirements that didn’t apply to the $750,000 state legislators approved for the pier project in 2018. The $285,000 can only be used for pier enhancements that include but are not limited to public restrooms, electrical wiring from the shore to the pier buildings, pedestrian lighting and pedestrian railings that extend from the pier entrance to the mean low tide level.

The commission approved Murphy’s related request to expand the annual financial auditing services the CS&L accounting firm provides the city to also include audits of the federal and state funds received and spent on the pier project. The pier-related audit reports will also be shared with county officials in appreciation of the county’s financial support of the pier project.

Construction begins on pier buildings

Construction begins on pier buildings

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

ANNA MARIA – The construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier bait shop began this week with Mason Martin Builders erecting the first bait shop wall on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

On Thursday, Oct. 10, Mayor Dan Murphy provided the city commission with an update that included photographs of the new bait shop being built on the new pier’s T-end.

Construction of Anna Maria City Pier buildings begins
The first bait shop walls went up on Tuesday, Oct. 8. – Scott Moore | Submitted

Murphy said he, Public Works Manager Dean Jones and Building Official Luke Curtis took a tour of the pier earlier that day and the construction of the new restaurant building had not yet begun.

“We’re making some great progress. This building is really sound, it’s over-engineered. When I compare to what we saw with the old pier, this is really something. It’s a monument to stability,” he said.

Construction of Anna Maria City Pier buildings begins
The new bait shop is now under construction. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted

When asked, Murphy said the installation of the pier decking should be completed in early November, including the section of the pier damaged by the Sept. 10 barge accident involving i+iconSoutheast’s construction barge.

Murphy said Mason Martin Builders will install the Ipe decking at the T-end of the pier.

Cleaning and oversight

Commissioner Doug Copeland commented on the bird droppings visible on the pier decking in one of the photos and asked how the city plans to deal with that issue once the pier is finished and opened to the public.

Commissioner Dale Woodland noted the city of Bradenton Beach pressure-washes its pier on a regular basis, once a week.

“It’s an issue,” Murphy said, noting that pressure-washing was already scheduled for the current week and the following week.

He also predicted there will be fewer birds on the pier once the public is using it again.

“The wood is so beautiful. When we finally open it, I want people to be able to appreciate that beautiful wood that we chose to build this pier. It’s so impressive,” Murphy said of the Ipe hardwood decking.

Construction of Anna Maria City Pier buildings begins
Mayor Dan Murphy is already formulating plans on how to keep the new pier clean and well-maintained. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted

The mayor then presented the commission with an idea for future consideration – the creation of a pier oversight board that would include a mix of city residents and perhaps others who possess expertise in finance, development and other skills related to the oversight of a city-owned pier.

“They would advise the commission on maintaining the viability of the pier and taking care of it on a continuing basis,” Murphy said, noting that other cities utilize similar advisory boards.

“The pier is probably the single biggest asset this city owns. If you include the land and the buildings and everything else, you’re probably looking at about $12 million. That’s a huge asset,” Murphy said.

Murphy said he would present the commission with a more formal proposal early next year.

Taking into account the delays caused in September by the potential approach of Hurricane Dorian and then the barge accident, Murphy recently estimated the pier walkway and T-end decking would be open to the public in late January or early February. He anticipates the pier being open to the public while the interior buildout of the restaurant and bait shop continues toward completion.

Pier lease update

Murphy also provided the commission with an update on his ongoing pier lease discussions with current pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder. Schoenfelder’s current lease expires in December 2020 and he has expressed interest in a new long-term lease that would maintain his previous pier-based bait shop and restaurant operations.

“I met with Mr. Schoenfelder this week. We had a very cordial meeting, exchanging information back and forth,” Murphy said.

“Mr. Schoenfelder is going to provide us with his take on rent by next week. When I have that in hand, I would like to ask you for an emergency meeting so that we could consider it. I don’t think it’s a good idea to keep this lease situation open for a lengthy period of time. We’re at a critical point. Based upon what Mr. Schoenfelder’s offer might be, I think it would be good that we consider it as quickly as possible. As soon as I get that information, I will send that to you and then ask the chair to consider having an emergency meeting so we can discuss it and vote on whether it’s acceptable or not,” Murphy said.

Murphy and Schoenfelder have also recently discussed the possibility of the city leasing him designated parking spaces at and near the pier. They have also discussed the shared maintenance of the pier facilities and the tenant’s insurance and property tax responsibilities.

Gulf Drive Café expansion approved

Gulf Drive Café expansion approved

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

BRADENTON BEACH – Gulf Drive Café owners Wendy and George Kokolis have the city’s approval to expand their beachfront business operations.

On Thursday, Aug. 15, the city commission unanimously approved the Kokolis’ request to add 86 seats, 887 square feet of covered dining area, expand the existing kitchen area by 446 square feet and add 886 square feet of second-story storage space.

The additional seating is allowed because of changes made to the city’s land development code in 2016. The old code required one parking space for every three seats, plus one parking space for every two employees during the establishment’s largest shift. The current code requires one parking space for every four seats, plus one parking space for every two employees during the largest shift.

The Gulf Drive Café’s revised seating capacity is capped at 300 seats and that applies during weddings and other special events.

Representing the Kokolis family, architect Bob Gause said improvements also will be made to the dumpster area at the north end of the property, and the south end of the beachfront property will no longer be used for overflow parking.

The Kokolis’ will also work with the city and the Florida Department of Transportation to make stormwater improvements, crosswalk improvements and handicapped parking improvements that require city property, state property and some of the Kokolis’ property, he said.

Mason Martin Builders selected to build pier restaurant and bait shop

Mason Martin Builders selected to build pier restaurant and bait shop

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

ANNA MARIA – Frank Agnelli’s Mason Martin Builders is the city’s top choice to construct the restaurant and bait shop at the T-end of the new Anna Maria City Pier.

Based on Mayor Dan Murphy’s recommendation, city commissioners voted 5-0 in support of the mayor entering into contract discussions with Mason Martin Builders’ owner Frank Agnelli. That vote occurred during a six-minute emergency commission meeting on Thursday, June 6.

The city received four bids in response to its recent invitation to bid and request for proposals (RFP). Mason Martin Builders submitted the lowest bid at $1.04 million. D.L Porter Constructors’ bid was second lowest at $1.486 million, followed by the Burke Construction Group at $1.609 million and Jon F. Swift Construction at $1.688 million.

City Clerk LeAnne Addy provided the commissioners with sealed copies of the bid proposals during the previous week’s emergency meeting and the bids were made public during Thursday’s meeting.

Before making his recommendation, Murphy said the RFP states the contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder as determined by the city to be in the city’s best interests.

Murphy said he defined the best interests of the city as having the ability to quickly get started, having the ability to complete the project and a reputation for completing projects, having a vested interest in the project and taking into consideration the city’s interests at every step of the way.

“Having taken all that into consideration, I can give you a recommendation. My recommendation is that we go with Mason Martin,” Murphy said.

Mason Martin Builders selected to build pier restaurant and bait shop
Mason Martin Builders owner Frank Agnelli was pleased by the commission’s decision. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commissioner Doug Copeland and commission chair Brian Seymour said they supported the mayor’s recommendation.

“They came up number one in my choices. They’re local, all the subs will be local and it makes sense to me,” Seymour said.

Commissioner Carol Carter said Mason Martin appeared to have the most thoroughly thought out response. Seymour agreed and said that helped him make his decision.

Copeland made the motion to authorize Murphy to attempt to negotiate a contract with Mason Martin and the commission unanimously supported that motion.

The negotiated contract terms must be brought back to the commission for final approval.

If those negotiations prove unsuccessful, Murphy would then seek commission authorization to attempt to negotiate a contract with the commission’s next highest-ranked firm, which was not determined at Thursday’s meeting.

Post-meeting comments

Last summer, Agnelli and his crew removed the engraved wooden planks from the old pier so they could be returned to those who previously purchased them from a third-party. Agnelli did that at no cost to the city. The unclaimed planks will be repurposed as memorial walls or for some other public use.

After Thursday’s meeting, Agnelli commented on the commission’s decision.

“I’m glad I got the job, I’m glad this gets to stay local and we’ll get it done quicker than anyone else. It’ll be great to have my name on it for my kids to see, so I’m pretty happy about that too,” he said.

Murphy congratulated Agnelli and said, “I look forward to working with him. We know each other pretty well and I look forward to a good relationship and a successful conclusion.”

Regarding last year’s plank removals, Murphy said Agnelli did it out of the goodness of his heart.

Murphy said it was too early to know exactly when the construction of the restaurant and bait shop spaces will begin.

Mason Martin Builders selected to build pier restaurant and bait shop
I+iconSoutheast continues its construction of the primary pier structure, decking and T-end deck area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

I+icon’s construction of the pier structure, decking and T-end deck area is scheduled for completion on Aug. 27. I+icon did not bid on the construction of the restaurant and bait shop spaces to be built according to design plans created by architect Barron Schimberg.

Murphy said he expects to meet soon with current pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder regarding his financial contribution to the interior build-out of the restaurant and bait shop. Schoenfelder’s current pier lease with the city expires in December 2020 and he is being asked to contribute to the pier project if wants to remain on the pier beyond that.

Murphy estimated the final cost of the entire pier project will now exceed $5 million.

Related coverage

Pier building bids received but not revealed

Last pier piling driven

Pier pavilion closing temporarily

Pine Avenue restaurant proposed

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

ANNA MARIA – On Thursday, May 23, city commissioners are scheduled to discuss the proposed construction of a 45-seat restaurant and residential structure at 415 Pine Ave.

Thursday’s meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and the public hearing will allow for public input.

City commissioners will be asked to approve the site plan application that includes requests for two parking-related special exceptions pertaining to an offsite parking arrangement with Roser Memorial Community Church.

The site plan approval application was reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board on May 14. The application lists Gohandesuyo LLC as the applicant and property owner. The LLC is registered to local Realtor Barbara Sato and her Realtor son, Jason Sato.

Urban Planner Monica Simpson is representing the Satos in this permitting matter. She said
Barbara’s son, Ben Sato, hopes to operate the restaurant and occupy the residential unit above.

The applicant’s report Simpson provided the city proposes the existing two-story residential structure be razed and replaced by a two-story building that includes the ground-level restaurant space, second-level living space, a rooftop terrace and an in-ground pool. Simpson’s report notes the pool and the rooftop terrace would not be used by restaurant patrons.

Simpson told the planning board the existing two-story structure was built in 1970 and is structurally sound but is not habitable due to electrical issues.

Simpson’s report states 15 spaces are needed for the 45-seat restaurant, plus one additional parking space for employees and one additional parking space for the residential unit.

She proposes five parking spaces be located on site and 12 additional parking spaces be provided through a shared parking agreement with Roser Memorial Community Church.

The April 9 staff report prepared by City Planner Robin Meyer initially disagreed with Simpson’s parking calculations and stated city code required 22 parking spaces. During last week’s planning board meeting, Meyer said he later consulted with City Attorney Becky Vose and they agree that 17 parking spaces are required.

Citing city code, Meyer’s report states off-site parking must be located within 300 feet of the perimeter of the development. Meyer’s report states the applicant is requesting two special exceptions: one for the majority of the parking to be located off-site and a second to allow for off-site parking approximately 900 feet from the proposed development site.

Revised plan

The original site plan proposed a 52-seat restaurant, residential space, pool and five on-site parking spaces. That plan prompted a petition and some letters of opposition from surrounding property owners which contributed to the public hearings being pushed back from April until May.

The revised plan Simpson presented last week includes the lower seating capacity and the off-site parking agreement.

On April 12, Ben Sato drafted and distributed a letter thanking the surrounding property owners for expressing their concerns. His letter notes he is currently working in the family business as a rental property manager and a maintenance technician, but he has long dreamed of opening his own restaurant.

“While I enjoy being a part of the family business, it is not my true passion. I am a professional chef and I belong in a kitchen,” his letter says.

“I’ve lived on Pine Avenue for three years and I sympathize with your concerns. I will be living on-site with my fiancé and we want to build our life there, be great neighbors and be stewards of the community,” Sato’s letter says.

The planning board voted 4-2 in favor of recommending city commission approval of the proposed site plan. Monika Beard, Dr. Jose Erbella, Margaret Jenkins and Mark Short voted in favor of recommending commission approval. Jeff Rodencal and chairman Jon Crane opposed the recommended approval.

The board’s recommended approval includes commission approval of the off-site parking spaces, signage directing restaurant customers to the church parking lot, the city being noticed on the lease for the parking spaces, the property not being used as rental property unless approved by the city, the applicant working with the city to ensure the safest pedestrian access to and from the property and calls for a rooftop garden to be placed at the rear of the terrace to provide landscape buffering for the neighbors.

City commissioners can accept or reject any or all of the board’s recommendations.