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Commission approves Chiles Group’s paid parking

Commission approves Chiles Group’s paid parking

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

ANNA MARIA – The city commission has approved an amended site plan that allows the Chiles Group’s Sandbar restaurant to continue to use one of its parking lots for paid public parking.

The commission approval granted on July 14 is for the parking lot already being operated at 9902 Gulf Drive, between Magnolia Avenue and Spring Lane.

As he did during the preliminary Planning and Zoning Board review on June 27, City Planner Chad Minor said the site plan approval process was initiated after the city’s code enforcement department discovered in February that the parking lot was being used for paid parking, which was not an allowable use of that property.

Minor said the paid parking lot is one of nine parking lots the Chiles Group owns or leases to serve the Sandbar. He added that the lot is located in the residential/office/retail zoning district where paid parking is allowed. The commission-approved site plan brings those 28 paid parking spaces into compliance with city code and those spaces will continue to provide paid parking for beachgoers and other visitors.

Commission approves Chiles Group’s paid parking
The parking fee is $5 an hour or $30 for eight hours. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The automated payment kiosk installed in February is provided by the Sarasota-based Easy Parking Group owned and operated by Joshua LaRose. LaRose recently told The Sun the fee to park there is $5 an hour or $30 for eight hours.

Commission discussion

During Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner Jon Crane said, “This is gonna be the first time we’re going to have a paid parking lot in the heart of the city. I would have liked a more full-throated debate focused generally on whether we want paid parking in our city, rather than a site plan amendment that kind of makes that a side-door issue. Having said that, I’ve got no objection to this particular site plan amendment.”

Commission Chair Carol Carter asked Crane if he wanted the commission to discuss paid parking in general at a future meeting.

“No, I think once the camel gets his nose under the flap of the tent it’s over,” Crane said. “If we allow paid parking on a piece of private property in the ROR district it’s going to be harder to deny it and there are a lot of properties that might be affected. I think we’ve already kind of made the decision if we approve this site plan amendment.”

Regarding other properties being used for paid public parking, Minor said those properties would have to meet and maintain their city-imposed parking requirements before offering any additional paid parking to the public.

“I think they would be far and few between,” Minor said. “This one is unique in that they’re able to serve the needs of their property and they have an excess of parking spaces. If they did not meet the parking standards for the Sandbar itself, I wouldn’t be in front of you today.”

Public input

During public input, city resident Kris Wisniewski noted the Sandbar is required to have 129 parking spaces and with one parking lot now being used for paid parking still has 161 parking spaces for its patrons.

“Year-round, this seems like a pure money-making parking lot. Only during season would you get close to using that,” Wisniewski said.

Commission approves Chiles Group’s paid parking
The paid parking lot provides 28 parking spaces for the general public. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commissioner Deanie Sebring said, “I’m excited they decided to have paid parking and have it available for people that want to come to the beach. Everybody knows I would like to get rid of parallel parking on Pine and it would be wonderful if these people could park there.”

“This is a practical way to solve a huge problem we have on the Island, which is parking,” Chiles Group representative Brooks O’Hara said.

“Now we can provide 28 additional parking spots. It just makes too much sense,” Commissioner Mark Short said.

“It’s a good thing. It just has to be done right,” Mayor Dan Murphy added.

Minor said if the restaurant fails to maintain the required number of parking spaces, the paid parking lot would become non-compliant with the city code.

Roser parking

Public input from city resident and Roser Memorial Community Church trustee Dan Devine triggered additional discussion regarding the past, current and future use of the church parking lots for paid parking.

“We’ve got records going back 12 years documenting paid parking at our church. We have four lots that are ROR. I see no reason why (Ed) Chiles should not be able to use his lots for paid parking as long as he’s meeting his regulations. Paid parking is one of two options. The second option is for the city to buy property to provide public parking,” Devine said.

In February, the city commission adopted revisions to the city’s off-site parking requirements. At that time, it was noted the church has parking agreements with several nearby businesses that use the church parking lot. Roser trustee Dave Cheshire told the commission those parking agreements are based on donations from each business rather than a specific fee sought by the church.

Commission approves Chiles Group’s paid parking
Several nearby businesses have parking agreements that allow them to use the Roser Memorial Community Church parking lot. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“I was told by one of your trustees just a few months ago that you were not offering paid parking, that you were taking donations. If you’re offering paid parking that’s a change of use,” Murphy told Devine.

“No, it’s a grandfathered, legal, non-conforming situation,” Devine responded. “We are grandfathered in and it becomes a taking if you deny it. We have the same rights. I believe Chiles has every right to rent his parking spots and I feel the church has no problem with that as well.”

“Dave Cheshire came here and said it was not operating a paid parking lot, and he’s a representative of the church,” Murphy replied. “I specifically asked him if Roser is offering paid parking and the answer was ‘no we are not.’ There’s nothing grandfathered.”

Commission approves Chiles Group’s paid parking
Thursday’s discussion prompted additional debate about paid parking at the Roser Church.

Minor said city staff is not aware of the Roser parking lot being used for paid parking. He said the church has to first meet its own parking requirements but would have the same right to use its excess parking spaces for paid parking.

Bradenton Beach Commission to discuss paid parking

Bradenton Beach commissioners to consider charging for parking

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

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners plan to discuss the possibility of charging for parking in some city-owned parking lots.

During the July 7 city commission meeting, Commissioner Jake Spooner requested that a city commission workshop be scheduled to discuss potential paid parking.

“I was going to ask the board if there’d be any appetite to have a workshop on the possibility of paid parking in the city lots,” he said.

“I think that would be wonderful,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said.

“I agree,” Mayor John Chappie added. “We briefly discussed it a little while back and I know you’ve been working with the (police) chief.”

Chappie asked Spooner to work with City Clerk Terri Sanclemente to schedule the requested commission workshop, which will also include insight from Police Chief John Cosby.

He noted the scheduling of a commission workshop does not mean the commission is already committed to the idea of paid parking.

“We’re going to hear what Commissioner Spooner has prepared, and discussion with the chief, and see where we’re at,” Chappie said.

Past discussions

Spooner has suggested paid parking in the past. During the June 1 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, he suggested paid parking in city-owned parking lots as a means of generating additional revenue to help subsidize the CRA-funded Old Town Tram program; and to also help fund additional policing within the CRA district that extends from the Cortez Bridge to Fifth Street South. In response, Chappie said he didn’t want to see paid parking lots located all over the city.

More than a year ago, when discussing the potential replacement of the aging city hall building, Spooner suggested building a new city hall/police department building near the existing police department and public works buildings and converting the existing city hall property into a paid parking lot. Spooner estimated this would generate enough revenues to pay off the new city hall complex in 10 years and continue to provide the city with additional revenues after that.

In response to that suggestion, Chappie and Vosburgh expressed opposition to converting the city hall property located across the street from the Gulf of Mexico into a paid parking lot.

A new trend?

On Thursday, July 14, the Anna Maria City Commission is expected to approve a site plan amendment that will formalize the existing paid parking in a lot owned by Ed Chiles and the Sandbar restaurant ownership group.

Located near the Sandbar, the automated paid parking kiosk provided by Joshua LaRose’s Easy Parking Group charges $5 per hour or $30 for eight hours of paid public parking that is open to anyone on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking in that lot is not restricted to Sandbar restaurant patrons only.

Bradenton Beach Commission to discuss paid parking
One of the Sandbar restaurant’s parking lots now offers paid public parking. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

LaRose’s company also provides paid parking kiosks in downtown Sarasota and in Siesta Key. He is also the service and equipment provider for the Bradenton Beach CRA’s Old Town Tram service.

The anticipated approval of the Sandbar’s paid parking program may inspire other private and public property owners to follow suit as a means of generating additional revenues while also providing more public parking on Anna Maria Island.

Related coverage

 

Planning board recommends paid parking approval

Planning board recommends paid parking approval

Planning board recommends paid parking approval

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

ANNA MARIA – Sandbar restaurant owner Ed Chiles is one step closer to having his paid public parking lot formally approved by city officials.

The Anna Maria Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended on June 2 that city commission approval of an amended site plan would bring the existing paid parking operations into compliance with city code.

The Chiles Group/Weld Inc.-owned parking lot at 9902 Gulf Drive has long served as an overflow parking lot for the Sandbar restaurant. The paid parking lot is located between Spring Lane and Magnolia Avenue. In February, the city’s code enforcement department became aware of paid parking occurring there without the city’s approval.

Planning board recommends paid parking approval
The paid parking lot is located along Gulf Drive, between Spring Lane and Magnolia Avenue. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted

“This is before you today as a result of a code enforcement case that was brought forward to the property owner,” City Planner Chad Minor told the planning board.

Minor said the automated payment kiosk and paid parking signs were installed in February and paid parking began without the knowledge of city staff. The kiosk also references a cell phone app. Minor said the Chiles Group was informed that the city would not pursue further code enforcement action if the ownership group submitted an amended site plan to be reviewed by the planning board and approved by the city commission.

The property has been used for parking since the mid-1960s and will continue to provide overflow parking for the Sandbar restaurant, while also providing paid public parking for beachgoers and those visiting other restaurants, businesses and destinations, he said.

Planning board recommends paid parking approval
The paid public parking is available to restaurant patrons, beachgoers and others. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Minor said city staff was initially concerned that using that lot for paid public parking might eliminate some of the parking required for the restaurant operations. He said the site plan amendment process gave city staff the opportunity to review the potential impacts of the paid parking lot and staff determined the restaurant parking requirements would still be met. Minor recommends approval of the site plan application that conforms with the city’s ordinances and comprehensive plan.

Board member Barbara Zdravecky asked Minor if the approval of the Sandbar site plan would set a precedent for other paid parking lots. Minor said any property proposing to offer paid parking would have to go through the same site plan approval process. He said he’s not aware of any other property owners currently pursuing paid parking, but they are afforded that ability through the city code.

Brooks O’Hara, the director of real estate for the Chiles Group and the applicant for the amended site plan approval, attended the planning board meeting and answered questions posed by the board members.

Planning board recommends paid parking approval
The paid parking options include an automated payment kiosk and a cell phone app. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

When asked how the automated paid parking is enforced, O’Hara said the Chiles Group uses the same vendor (Joshua LaRose’s Easy Parking Group) that provides the city of Sarasota’s paid parking kiosks on Main Street. O’Hara said enforcement is mainly voluntary, but if a violation occurs, a notice can be placed on the offending vehicle. If the violation continues, a wheel lock or windshield bar can be placed on the vehicle.

“We haven’t had to do that,” O’Hara said.

When asked about the overnight parking and RV parking, O’Hara said the parked vehicles are usually gone by 10 p.m. and he’s not aware of any overnight parking or RV parking taking place in that lot. He said the parking spaces are not large enough to accommodate RV parking and the lot could be closed off after hours if needed.

Minor said the city code includes provisions that address overnight parking and RV parking.

When asked why the Sandbar ownership group wasn’t issued a code enforcement violation citation, Minor said, “Our goal is to work for compliance.”

O’Hara said the parking lot in question has historically been used for paid parking, but with a parking lot attendant collecting cash payments.

“For years, this was out of compliance then?” board member Bob Carter asked.

Mayor Dan Murphy attended the meeting and provided some historical context on the past use of the parking lot. Murphy said Sandbar patrons used to pay $25 when parking there, but in exchange received a $25 voucher to use at the restaurant. Murphy said the city did not consider that to be paid parking, but the installation of an automated payment kiosk signified a switch from restaurant customer parking to paid public parking.

Murphy said O’Hara’s assertion that paid parking was previously allowed in that parking lot was not accurate.

“The reason we let you do what do is because you had a voucher system for eating at your restaurant. That made it customer parking,” Murphy said.

The amended site plan will now be presented to the city commission for final approval.

Egg hunt brings hundreds to Anna Maria

Egg hunt brings hundreds to Anna Maria

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria, Entertainment, Featured, Holiday.

ANNA MARIA – The 34th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Sandbar Restaurant drew hundreds of children and their excited parents to the white sands of Anna Maria Island on April 16.

Egg hunt brings hundreds to Anna Maria
Children make a mad dash for eggs on the beach at the Sandbar Restaurant’s 34th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

This annual event is not only a treat for local children, but kids from around the world. There were families from across the United States, as well as Germany, the UK, Argentina, Canada, Australia and many more countries. 

“We are here from England. We saw this on one of the local Facebook groups we follow and knew the kids would love it,” said Linus Davies, whose three children scrambled for eggs in the hunt. “It was over so quickly, we were only able to get one quality photograph before the eggs were gone. Much more competitive than we anticipated.”

Egg hunt brings hundreds to Anna Maria
The sun was shining on the beach behind the Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria as eggs were scooped up by hundreds of young participants at the 34th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

Eggs had treats hidden inside for the children to enjoy after the bring your own basket event. There was also a bonnet contest with prizes including lunch for four at the Sandbar, a gift certificate to Anna Maria Rocks and a chocolate bunny. For the adults, there was a Sandy Toes picnic experience, Sea-Renity Beach Spa massage and lunch for two at the Sandbar up for grabs. For most people, it seemed that just spending time on the beach as a family was the big prize.

“It’s our first time on the Island,” Emily Roth said. “We’ve been to Siesta Key twice and we’ve done Destin, but we really like the feel around here. We saw this event on the AMI Chamber of Commerce’s website.”

Egg hunt brings hundreds to Anna Maria
The Roth and Cowgill families attended their first egg hunt at the Sandbar in Anna Maria. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

The Roths and their friends, the Cowgills, who have vacationed on the Island previously, said they enjoy the laid-back charm of Anna Maria Island and its family-friendly atmosphere.

Sponsors of this year’s egg hunt include the Sandbar, The Anna Maria Island Sun, Anna Maria Rocks, Sea-Renity Beach Spa and Courtesy Cleaners.

Chiles Group hosts Christmas party for underprivileged kids

Chiles Group hosts Christmas for Kids

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

ANNA MARIA – The Chiles Group’s 26th Annual Lawton Chiles Christmas for Kids Party brought holiday joy to 60 youngsters, many of whom were making their first visit to Anna Maria Island.

The annual Christmas celebration took place in and around the Sandbar Restaurant’s outdoor pavilion on Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The children and parents invited to this year’s party are affiliated with RCMA Palmetto and Step Up Suncoast’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The children enjoyed two bounce houses that were set up on the beach, and some simply enjoyed playing in the beach sand. The festivities included face painting, craft making, photo ops with volunteers and staff members dressed as cartoon characters, Christmas music played by event DJ Chuck Caudill and a buffet lunch of chicken tenders, French fries, macaroni and cheese, salad, fruit and lemonade – and for the adults, the option of an additional vodka pasta dish also prepared by the Sandbar’s kitchen staff.

After lunch, Santa arrived in a red, 1930s-era Ford Model A replica car that has long belonged to the family of Island Photography’s Dara Caudill, who photographed the event for the Chiles Group.

The party concluded with the youngsters being called up one by one to receive a gift bag from Santa and his helpers. Containing a new clothing outfit, a pair of shoes and a toy to open on Christmas, each gift bag was tailored specifically for that child.

Donations from the community helped fund the annual children’s party that honors Sandbar owner Ed Chiles’ late father, Lawton Chiles, who served as Florida’s governor from 1991-98, and his late mother, Rhea Chiles.

Spreading holiday joy

As the party got underway, Ed Chiles said, “It’s the Christmas season. It’s a time of year when you want to reach out and help folks and appreciate your community. It’s a wonderful tradition for our staff members who volunteer their time, including shopping for and wrapping the presents. Thanks to every single one of the staff members and volunteers that helped make this happen. It’s always been about reaching out to the community and helping the kids. And personally, this always gets me in the Christmas spirit.”

Chile’s wife, Tina Chiles, said, “It’s a wonderful celebration this time of year with very special families we look forward to hosting. It helps us remember the true meaning of Christmas.”

The children awaited their turn to visit with Santa. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The children awaited their turn to visit with Santa. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Santa arrived in a replica of the 1930s-era Ford Model A. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Santa arrived in a replica of the 1930s-era Ford Model A. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The party activities included face painting. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The party activities included face painting. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Christmas party included a buffet lunch prepared and served by the Sandbar staff. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Christmas party included a buffet lunch prepared and served by the Sandbar staff. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Santa and his helpers brought joy to the youngsters and received joy in return. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Santa and his helpers brought joy to the youngsters and received joy in return. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Children, parents and staff members from Step Up Suncoast’s Head Start and early Head Start programs enjoyed some beach time near the bounce houses. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Children, parents and staff members from Step Up Suncoast’s Head Start and early Head Start programs enjoyed some beach time near the bounce houses. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The staff and youngsters from RCMA Palmetto enjoyed the party. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The staff and youngsters from RCMA Palmetto enjoyed the party. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

A gopher tortoise crashed the Christmas party. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

A gopher tortoise crashed the Christmas party. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

This young lady had fun in the bounce house. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

This young lady had fun in the bounce house. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Faith and Kelly Moore enjoyed the lunch provided by Ed Chiles and his staff. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Faith and Kelly Moore enjoyed the lunch provided by Ed Chiles and his staff. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

As the event DJ, Chuck Caudill played Christmas songs and let the children know Santa was on his way. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

As the event DJ, Chuck Caudill played Christmas songs and let the children know Santa was on his way. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Santa and his Chiles Group helpers distributed gift bags to each child. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Santa and his Chiles Group helpers distributed gift bags to each child. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Sandbar restaurant owner Ed Chiles warmed up Santa’s seat for him. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Sandbar restaurant owner Ed Chiles warmed up Santa’s seat for him. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Many members of the Chiles Group staff participated in the kids’ Christmas party. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Many members of the Chiles Group staff participated in the kids’ Christmas party. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The children enthusiastically greeted Santa when he arrived at The Sandbar restaurant. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The children enthusiastically greeted Santa when he arrived at The Sandbar restaurant. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Josie Gracia is an early childhood specialist with RCMA Palmetto – the Manatee County affiliate of the Redlands Christian Migrant Association formed in southwest Florida in 1965.

“We’ve been doing this for a couple years now. The children and staff all look forward to this. It’s like a dream come true for most of the children. We serve low-income families and they don’t have the means to experience all this. For some, this is the first time they get to see the beach. It’s like a mini-Disney here for them, and the food is amazing. And to top it all off, they get to see Santa,” Gracia said.

Serving low-income families and the children and families of migrant workers, the RCMA Palmetto child development center serves 68 children of various ages, some of whom attended Wednesday’s party.

“It’s very holistic. We include child support services, family support services, health services, vision, hearing and developmental screenings. We have high school curriculum in place. We provide transportation for the families that live in more remote areas. The parent support program is very strong. We do training for the parents, parenting classes, support groups. It’s very comprehensive,” Gracia said.

“Those who are migrants face the challenge of leaving every year and going up north to work for part of the year and then coming back. There’s always this transition, going back and forth, and it’s really hard traveling and leaving people behind. And for the parents, agricultural work is hard work, and we’ve been losing agricultural fields, so some of the families have to travel to remote areas to work and then come back every day. There’s also all the other risks involved with this kind of work. They’re exposed to chemicals and pesticides and they earn low wages. It’s not very pleasant, but they’re hard-working and they’re appreciative of the opportunity to work,” Gracia said.

“Due to COVID, it’s been harder to get volunteers. It’s nice to have people come and hold the babies, spend time with the children and read them stories. Donations are always welcome and they don’t have to be brand new items. Sometimes we get gently used items and toys. We have ladies from a community group that bring blankets that they make. There’s many different ways to support the programs.”

To assist RCMA, please call 941-723-4563.

Step Up Suncoast’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide early childhood education and family engagement services focused on closing the achievement gap for children throughout Manatee County.

“Step Up Suncoast provides Head Start and early Head Start programs for Manatee County –from 8 weeks old into kindergarten,” said Jill Gass, Step Up Suncoast’s director of philanthropy.

Regarding the party, Gass said, “It’s a wonderful event that brings a lot of smiles to the organization and families who have been struggling more than ever in the past couple years. We appreciate more than ever the support the Chiles Group provides to us every year. We’re excited that they’re able to bring it back.”

Last year’s party was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This gives the families the opportunities to come do something they wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to do. We have a lot of kids that have never been to the beach. They just don’t come out here. It’s a nice opportunity to have fellowship with other friends and family engagement between the different families. The kids know each other, but the parents maybe don’t. It’s another opportunity of engagement for them,” Gass said.

Chiles Group commissions turtle-themed mural

Chiles Group commissions turtle-themed mural

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

ANNA MARIA – Featuring an image of a giant sea turtle, a new seascape-themed mural now graces an exterior wall of the old post office plaza in Anna Maria.

Located near the intersection of Gulf Drive and Spring Avenue, the mural, painted by Lakeland-based studio and mural artist Gillian Fazio, covers the rear walls of the plaza spaces leased to Anna Maria Rocks and Anna Maria Life vacation rentals.

Replacing a previous shark-themed mural, the new mural features a giant sea turtle in a seascape that includes coral reefs, tropical fish, starfish, a giant clam and the hull of a small boat that represents the human presence on local waters.

Chiles Group commissions turtle-themed mural
The Chiles Group mural is located at the corner of Spring Avenue and Gulf Drive. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Ed Chiles owns the plaza, located just a short walk from the Chiles Group-owned Sandbar restaurant at the end of Spring Avenue. The Chiles Group commissioned the mural after Chiles made his team aware of Fazio’s talents.

“My daughter, Christin Masters, introduced me to her work. I saw the murals she was doing over in Lakeland and Polk County and I was like, ‘Wow, I would love to have one of those someday.’ I sent that on to our people, but I was actually surprised when I found out we were having one done. I saw the mockup and I was really impressed. It’s a nice addition to the Island,” Chiles said.

Fazio started painting the mural on Tuesday, Oct. 25 and finished it late in the day on Thursday, Nov. 4.

“The Chiles Group happened to be the perfect client and collaborator to work on this with. I was talking to Ed Chiles’ daughter, Christin, and she asked why the Chiles Group didn’t have any of my artwork,” Fazio said as she completed the mural Thursday afternoon.

“It’s inspired by healthy waters, the surroundings here and the Chiles Group’s marine reclamation projects. We also wanted to highlight our sea life and the beautiful sunsets the Sandbar is famous for,” Fazio said.

“I designed everything on Photoshop and then we went back and forth with the Chiles Group and made small adjustments until everybody loved what we ended up with,” she explained.

Using Sherman Williams resilience level paint made to withstand the sun, heat and other elements, Fazio first used a sprayer to paint the bottom half of the wall blue and the top half orange.

“I started with the base colors and slowly added in more details,” she said, noting that she sketched the male turtle on the wall before painting it.

Chiles Group commissions turtle-themed mural
Michigan residents Josie and Daphne Schneider joined the artist for a photo-op. – Joe Hendricks

Before putting some final touches on the turtle’s gullet Thursday afternoon, Fazio signed the bottom left-hand corner of the mural, signifying the project was essentially finished. While adding those final strokes to the turtle’s gullet, two young visitors from Holly, Michigan – Josie and Daphne Schneider – stopped to admire her work as they passed by.

Chiles Group commissions turtle-themed mural
Gillian Fazio finished the mural Thursday afternoon, before Friday’s rainy weather arrived. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Fazio shared her thoughts on the attraction of murals.

“They’re bright and beautiful and not just a plain old wall. I love murals because they bring communities together and give everybody a sense of ownership of their mural wall. When people come to Anna Maria you can bring them to this wall. It becomes a thing to do as well as something nice to look at. The hope is that this new mural becomes a popular photo opportunity for visitors and we’ll come up with a name for the turtle soon,” she said.

Fazio has worked as a professional muralist since graduating from the University of Florida in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in fine art. Some of her past work was commissioned by local businesses and government agencies in and around Lakeland and Lake Wales.

“I’m from Lakeland and most of my work is in Lakeland, Tampa and the surrounding areas of Central Florida. I have some massive walls over there that are inspired by the citrus industry. Some of them are two stories high and a hundred feet long. This one is 10 feet tall and 63 feet long. I also do smaller murals and selfie walls that provide photo ops for businesses,” she said.

Chiles Group commissions turtle-themed mural
Gillian Fazio painted the mural for the Chiles Group and plaza owner Ed Chiles. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Chiles Group mural is her first on Anna Maria Island but she has family ties to the city and the Island and hopes to do more work here.

“My grandparents had a place on White Avenue before they passed away. A lot of people from Lakeland come to Anna Maria. I’m happy to be here and I hope to be back soon,” she said.

Fazio will paint her next mural for an appliance showroom in Lakeland.

“They want an engagement wall for their office,” she said.

Fazio’s work can be viewed on Instagram and at www.gfazioart.com. She can be contacted by email at gfazioart@gmail.com.

Surprise - more fireworks tonight!

Surprise – more fireworks tonight!

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Archives.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Don’t pack up those American flag swim trunks and those red, white and blue beach chairs yet – the Fourth of July on Anna Maria Island is not over ’til it’s over!

The Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria will set off a second, unplanned fireworks display tonight, July 5, since there was a glitch with last night’s display, said Ed Chiles, of The Chiles Group, who is celebrating his 40th year with the restaurant.

According to a statement on The Sandbar’s Facebook page: “The Sandbar restaurant and our team is so proud to be a part of the Anna Maria community that it hurts us deeply when we disappoint you. And we know that our fireworks show disappointed many last night. It disappointed us as well. Tonight, July 5th at 9 p.m., we will make it right with what will, hopefully, be our best fireworks show ever.”

U.S. flag