CORTEZ – Discussions about the future of Cortez were at the forefront of the July 6 Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage (FISH) meeting, with non-board members also participating.
Meeting attendee Paul Dreyfoos is vice president of the Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS). He spoke about a potential collaboration with historical and environmental groups regarding the future use of the former Seafood Shack property.
The property was purchased by Manatee County in 2024 with the stated intent of using it as a public boat launch and marina. Since then, county discussions have centered on making use of the property as a park, and possibly as a Gulf Islands Ferry stop.
The county-owned property is first expected to be used as a staging area for construction of the new Cortez Bridge, which could take up to four years. With the county’s long-term plans for the waterfront property now delayed by the bridge construction project, Dreyfoos recommends getting out in front of the planning process for the long-term use of the property.
“It pushes the planning cycle way down the road,” Dreyfoos said.
He thinks the Cortez community has an opportunity to help define some of the principles and characteristics for the future use of the county property, and he wants the community to make a strong and cohesive statement regarding those future plans.
Dreyfoos recommends forming a brainstorming group to develop guiding principles and a concept document, and then garnering further collaboration with the environmental, historic preservation and tourism communities.
“The way I framed it for the purpose of the discussion is as an eco-park,” he said. “This is not about boat ramp or no boat ramp. This is about reflecting the aesthetics and values of our community.”
Dreyfoos’ initial design principles include the belief that redevelopment should promote estuary health and incorporate environmental elements consistent with Cortez tradition and economy.
Suggested concepts include a canoe launch, boat ramp access for commercial fishers, boat-to-table food service, land- and water-based recreation, and environmental education for boaters.
“I think one of the things that’s good about your proposal here is pushing the ecological overview,” meeting attendee Allen Garner said. “Regardless of whether it ends up a boat ramp or restaurant or whatever, it’s important to emphasize that point – that whatever goes there should be green and environmentally friendly.”
Several board members expressed interest in participating in a brainstorming group.
“They pushed the Seafood Shack plans back because of the bridge, but that could give us some time and work in our favor,” board member David Cadmus said.
“The goal is to first come up with a concept and then eventually submit that to the county,” Dreyfoos said. “This is an intent to make a wish list and come up with design principles and elements that we feel should be in there. We don’t want to let this just happen to us.”
The discussion is expected to continue during the next FISH board meeting Aug. 3.
FESTIVAL THEME DISCUSSION
The 2027 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is seven months away, but planning is already in full swing. A key element of the 45th annual festival is selection of a theme.
FISH Treasurer Jane von Hahmann urged the board to select a theme because a theme-based logo has to be designed. Von Hahmann is resigning from the board effective July 31.
FISH board members discussed a possible theme for the 2027 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. – Leslie Lake | Sun
The board discussed the possibility of some variation on “Cortez Fishes for You” as the 2027 theme. A final decision is expected to be made at the board’s Aug. 3 meeting.
Proceeds from the annual festival are used to maintain the 98-acre FISH Preserve.
CORTEZ – Cortez Watersports’ owner John Cadmus is optimistic about the future, despite the pending Cortez Bridge construction project and plans to use the former Seafood Shack property as a construction staging area.
The construction of the new Cortez Bridge is scheduled to begin in early September.
Located at 4328 127th St. W., Cortez Watersports sits between the Cortez Bridge and the pending construction staging area.
Cortez Watersports features WaveRunner, pontoon boat and kayak rentals. Cadmus has also expanded his business operations to include the Cortez Bait Shack, which sells fresh and frozen bait, ice, snacks, cold drinks, boat supplies and fishing gear.
“We got some live shrimp in here,” he said.
Cortez Watersports sits between the Cortez Bridge and the former Annie’s Bait & Tackle and Seafood Shack property. – Brian M. Leakeas | Submitted
The Seafood Shack property, which also used to include Annie’s Bait & Tackle, was purchased by Manatee County in 2024. Discussions about the future use of the site have included the possibility of a public boat launch and marina, or a park, and/or a Gulf Islands Ferry landing area. The Manatee County Commission recently approved a 60-day right of entry for the bridge contractor, SEMA Construction, to begin staging bridge construction equipment on the south side of the former Seafood Shack property. SEMA still seeks a long-term right of entry agreement that would allow at least three sections of the county-owned property to be used as a bridge construction staging area for three years or longer.
CADMUS OPTIMISTIC
“This area at the Seafood Shack has been stagnant for 40 years,” Cadmus said. “There’s a fine line between ‘old Florida’ and not taking care of things, and that’s what happened over there. It didn’t get taken care of.”
The Cadmus family has owned the Cortez Watersports property since 1952.
“I have no intention of going anywhere. I’m thoroughly excited about what it’s going to be like,” Cadmus said. “The bridge is going to be beautiful.”
The Cortez Watersports docks are near the Cortez Bridge. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Regarding the demolition of the Seafood Shack building and the boat docks, Cadmus said, “The sea life that they have over there now that all those docks are gone is unbelievable. The dolphins and the manatees all swim around the seawall. They herd the baitfish up around it. They (the county) should be commended for purchasing the property. I’m glad they did because it would be condos.”
Cadmus acknowledged that his business has been negatively affected by bridge-related preliminary construction work already taking place, but he takes a philosophical approach: “You have to break an egg to make a cake, so we have to deal with it. Hopefully, by allowing them to use the Seafood Shack property, it will make this bridge project go more efficiently. That will be beneficial to businesses here locally.”
Old photos of Cortez line the walls of Cortez Watersports.
As a nod to old Cortez, a picture of the area that encompassed Cortez Watersports and the former Seafood Shack restaurant hangs on the wall. – Leslie Lake | SunPhotos of past Cortez fishermen and John Cadmus’ grandmother hang on the wall inside Cortez Watersports. – Leslie Lake | Sun
“We try to honor some of the history of old Cortez,” Cadmus said. “If you look around here in Cortez, a lot of people in this village have been here for a long time, because they persevere. My grandfather, Milton Cadmus, always said, ‘You can’t lean on a shovel and pray for a hole.’”
CORTEZ – The construction company contracted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to build the new Cortez Bridge wants to use the former Seafood Shack property as a construction staging area.
On June 16, with Commissioner Jason Bearden absent, Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved a short-term right of entry agreement with SEMA Construction Inc. The commission also requested the preparation of a subsequent long-term agreement to be discussed at a future meeting.
SEMA proposes using the county-owned waterfront property in Cortez as a bridge construction staging area and field office for four years. In exchange for those rights of entry, SEMA will perform approximately $300,000 worth of work on the county-owned property.
This map of the Seafood Shack parcel outlines the proposed usage zones. – Manatee County | Submitted
Manatee County Commission Chair Tal Siddique said, “The two actions we’re requesting today is to authorize staff to negotiate with SEMA Construction, Inc. regarding the terms and conditions of a transaction whereupon SEMA Construction would be permitted to enter upon the county-owned property in Cortez and perform certain work and services and then to prepare such agreement to return the matter to the board for potential approval at a future meeting.”
The vacant house at the southeast corner of the Seafood Shack property will be demolished by SEMA. – Leslie Lake | Sun
County Attorney Pamela D’Agostino said, “The right of entry that’s before the board right now would end on Aug. 17, 2026, so it’s only meant to be a short-term instrument. If the board wanted a longer-term agreement that would come back before the board at another time.”
Manatee County purchased the Seafood Shack and marina property for $13 million on Dec. 31, 2024, with the stated intention of turning the parcel into a public boat launch and marina. Two longtime businesses, Annie’s Bait & Tackle and the Seafood Shack restaurant, were demolished after the county purchased the property.
Cortez Watersports is still doing business next to the vacant space previously occupied by Annie’s Bait & Tackle. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Later, when it was determined that funding for a marina and boat ramps was not available, county commissioners discussed creating a park there. They have also discussed the property being used as a landing site for the county’s Gulf Islands Ferry service.
SEMA REQUEST
FDOT recently stated the construction of the new Cortez Bridge is expected to start in early September and take approximately four years to complete.
On June 16, SEMA requested the county commission execute a right-of-entry agreement with an initial 60-day term to allow county staff and the county attorney’s office time to draft the appropriate documents needed for a long-term agreement to be presented for commission approval after the commission’s upcoming summer recess.
The county plans to dock the Gulf Islands Ferry boats in or near the area highlighted in blue. – Manatee County | Submitted
In exchange, SEMA proposed, at its cost, to construct an area to park, store and fuel the county’s Gulf Islands Ferry boats; to remove within 120 days the vacant house at 4327 127th Street W. and the utilities and improvements attached to the house; to restore the sheet pile wall areas damaged by Hurricane Milton; to construct a bypass road from 127th Street W. to 126th Street W.; and to construct a paved area for use by the county.
SEMA submitted a sketch of the proposed bypass roadway, highlighted in purple, from 127th Street to 126th Street. – Manatee County | Submitted
Much of the discussion during the June 16 meeting centered around how much of the 5.9-acre county-owned parcel would be used for bridge-related construction activities and whether it should be used at all for those purposes.
At issue was whether SEMA access should be limited to using zones one, three and four at the south end of the property to stage construction vehicles and materials, or to also include zones two and five for construction employee parking and a construction trailer at the north end of the parcel, which would effectively utilize most of the Seafood Shack property.
“This (bridge) project has challenges with access. DOT does have right of way to the south of the existing structure,” SEMA representative Justin Oakes said. “There’s room for offloading of materials there, but there’s not enough room for equipment and the delivery truck so the truck would have to sit in a lane closure to offload that truck to a barge directly over the waterway.”
The FDOT right of way Oakes referenced currently encompasses most of the parking area for the Tide Tables restaurant on the south side of Cortez Road.
“The right of way is about 10 feet from the front of Tide Tables,” Manatee County Director of Public Works Chad Butzow said.
“I believe that’s how the DOT contemplated access,” Oakes said, adding there are no restrictions in the SEMA contract with DOT regarding lane closure times or durations.
Siddique said he has been in contact with surrounding businesses, particularly Tide Tables.
“With a project of this scale, it’s impossible not to have an impact on the area, so the reality is we have a property that can make construction easier and faster because you’re not dealing with road crossings,” Siddique said. “It seems like we’re getting a good deal out of it. I’m in favor of the arrangement.”
Oakes said SEMA hopes to use parcel five for employee parking to avoid taking parking spaces away from the local businesses that currently use the FDOT rights of way for parking.
“The Tide Tables restaurant would have little or no parking in that area, so we were trying to solve those problems as well as lane closures for deliveries on a consistent basis,” Oakes said.
Commissioner George Kruse questioned the reason behind using the entire Seafood Shack property.
“You can’t make what you want to make work with just parcels one and three and four? You’re taking all of it?” Kruse said. “We spent over $13 million on that and to say we’re getting a good deal? This is a terrible deal. $300,000 worth of work for four years of leasing our property works out to about a 0.5% return. That’s about $75,000 a year to lease multiple acres of waterfront property, while we carry $13 million of cost.”
This FDOT conceptual rendering illustrates in a general sense what the new Cortez Bridge will look like. – FDOT | Submitted
Kruse asked about alternative options.
“When this bridge was being contemplated, Seafood Shack was a privately owned restaurant before we bought it. You had no idea you even had the opportunity to use this. DOT had no idea that this was going to be available, so clearly there was an alternative option,” Kruse said.
“The tradeoff is there’s going to be a temporary road built while there’s heavy construction starting early in the morning. There’s residences surrounding this place that thought they were getting a boat ramp. They hoped they were getting a green space. I understand the inconvenience of building a bridge, but this isn’t an inconvenience, this is a big ask,” Kruse said.
Kruse said he was not in favor of the proposal, but he later joined the other commissioners in supporting the initial three-parcel proposal.
“I’m not a fan and I don’t think we’re being appropriately compensated for what we’re going to put people out for the loss of a park, as well as a loss of quality of life,” he said.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
During public comment, Cody Lee said, “The citizens bought that land with our property taxes. Do the citizens get to decide what goes in there or is this just turned over to a private company and they get to decide?”
Cove Pointe Condominium Association President Mark Silagyi said, “It’s been six months since planners were to create two conceptual plans for this area, as well to develop a proposal to develop some green space area for Manatee County citizens to use until it was permanently decided what was going to happen. What is the status of that? You’re proposing to use 4.6 acres of the 5.9 acres of this and yet when we’ve done research on similar bridge projects it’s suggesting you’d need one to three acres for staging.”
Silagyi said the priority should be the bypass roads and the sidewalks for the 300 residents on the north side of Cortez Road.
“We’re going to be living with this for four years and we’ve already lost this property value for two years,” he added.
This excavator was recently parked on the north side of the Seafood Shack property. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Mariners Cove Homeowners Association President Mike Albert said, “We have homeowners trying to sell with diminished property values. We’ve made our home here. Our dreams are coming true here, but we don’t want this to be another six years of hell for us. We want to have a sunset on this lease agreement.”
District 4 county commission candidate Glen Gibellina said, “Don’t make your problem my problem – and that’s exactly what you’re doing to those residents out there.”
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
“I think we have philosophical differences over the tangible and intangible benefits,” Siddique said. “There’s a perception we’re not getting the value out of it, but I choose to take a different approach that there’s a mutual benefit and not everything requires you go dollar-for-dollar. I would like to see something that also contemplates a case in which the construction takes five years or six years and we have some contemplation for our own project whether we do a boat ramp or a marina. Right now, there’s no money for it.”
“The concept of this conversation was the long term,” Kruse said. “I think we need more money for it and I think it should be less space. I do not agree that it should be more than parcels one and three. I think this is a mistake. I think three years from now, when there’s still pilings there and we’re looking at another two- to three-year minimum to build this bridge, it’s going to take six-plus years. That’s how government works. All those people around there are going to be miserable and people on this board are going to be answering questions about what we did with the $13 million of the money we put in a pile and set on fire to give DOT free space to store materials.”
Siddique said in terms of voting to formalize the right of entry agreement, the board could focus on properties one, three and four and bring the discussion about the additional parcels back to the board in the future.
“We need a defined end time,” Kruse said. “Once they get started, they’re not stopping. It could take 10 years and if it does there’s not a thing we can do because the entire incentive we’re being provided with is built upon a scare tactic of the worst possible case scenario. Our incentive is not to watch the world burn on the south side of Cortez if we don’t give our land to somebody effectively for free.”
“I prefer nothing, but I can be convinced to having a right of entry on (parcels) one and three and then saying go find parking,” Kruse said. “It keeps everything away from the houses and creates a passive park so we can do something with our $13 million and not just collect 0.5% return on it.”
CORTEZ – The future of the Manatee County-owned Seafood Shack parcel remains to be seen but progress is being made on the 98-acre FISH Preserve in Cortez.
FISH Preserve
The 2024 hurricanes took their toll on the 98-acre FISH (Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage) Preserve. Allen Garner, a retired landscape architect who has been working on the preserve for many years, reported on the devastation at a Jan. 6 FISH meeting. He noted that multiple trees and plants were destroyed.
The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage’s 98-acre preserve has undergone public accessibility improvements. – Leslie Lake | Sun
In June, the FISH board approved a proposal by Garner to complete a public accessibility project at the Preserve in fulfillment of a $165,000 grant from the Barancik Foundation.
By year-end, the project at the preserve on Cortez Road, which included foot trails, bridges linking the east and west sides of the preserve, signs and picnic areas, was nearly completed.
FISH festival
FISH’s 43rd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival was appropriately themed, “Swamped but Never Sunk,” following the impact of the 2024 hurricanes on the village.
The Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival in February was a much-needed boost to the hurricane-impacted village. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Mindful of continuing recovery efforts, the FISH board asked for Cortez residents’ opinions in November 2024 about holding the annual festival. Many residents agreed that a festival would be uplifting for residents following the hurricanes that swamped many homes in the village.
Nearly 10,000 people attended the festival on Feb. 15 and 16.
“I’m so proud of Cortez right now,” Cortez Village Historical Society Vice-President Paul Dryfoos said at the festival. “After all that everybody has been through, to pull off a festival like this and make it successful is so great.”
Stone crab festival
The annual Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival was cancelled due to the community members’ need to focus on rebuilding their businesses and homes. Organizers said the festival will be back.
Seafood Shack
On Dec. 31, 2024, Manatee County purchased the Seafood Shack parcel for $13 million, with the anticipated use of the property as a public boating access facility with a boat ramp, a dry storage facility and a marina.
In January, county commissioners voted to explore ways to bring the hurricane-damaged Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop on the site up to code.
Following recommendations and reviews by a structural engineer, fire officials and the Florida Department of Emergency Management, Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 in March to demolish the historic Annie’s to make way for the future Cortez Marina.
Annie’s Bait and Tackle on the Manatee County-owned Seafood Shack parcel was demolished in April. – Leslie Lake | Sun
The demolition of Annie’s on April 16 marked a sad day in Cortez, as years of memories for many were reduced to a pile of rubble. More than a 70-year-old building, Annie’s held a wide array of meaning for those who came to watch the demolition. For some, it was the first stop for a day on the water for ice, beer, gas and bait; for others, it was a spot to unwind on the patio for dinner and drinks; and for many, it was one of the last standing local tributes to Florida heritage.
The Seafood Shack, a waterfront restaurant and events venue, was demolished on April 21. The parcel, consisting of approximately 5.9 acres, remains fenced off.
The county conducted five informational community open houses attended by 313 people. Common concerns were traffic congestion, water quality, preserving the character of the area and a boat ramp’s traffic and noise impacts on adjacent neighborhoods.
A group of Cortez residents has mobilized in opposition to the proposed boat ramps at the former Seafood Shack property. The group, Concerned Citizens of Cortez Coalition (CCCC), represents 327 Cortez families. The CCCC is expressing concern about boat ramps in a residential area, citing issues including traffic and congestion, safety, environmental stress, impact on property values and noise issues.
Citing strong opposition from Cortez residents, along with lack of funding to complete a proposed boat ramp, Manatee County commissioners floated the idea on Dec. 16 of making the Seafood Shack site a public park, at least temporarily.
Commissioners asked county staff to return in February with two conceptual designs – one with a boat ramp and one without.
Slicker’s reopens
The doors to Slicker’s Eatery reopened 128 days after the flooding from Hurricane Helene swamped the restaurant.
“It feels tremendous to be open,” owner Bob Slicker said. “We’re all so relieved. After four months of money going out for the staff and myself, we’re just happy to put a Band-Aid on it and start moving forward.”
Slicker had been unprepared for the sight that greeted him after the September 2024 hurricane, when he found tables, chairs and dishes askew and floating, freezers flipped over, a dumpster pushed into the middle of Cortez Road and an ice machine broken in two and wedged against the door.
“My staff was here every day I needed them, from the day of the hurricane to opening back up. As a team, I haven’t lost one employee,” he said.
BRADENTON – Citing strong opposition from Cortez residents along with lack of funding to complete a proposed boat ramp, Manatee County commissioners floated the idea of making the Seafood Shack site a public park, at least temporarily.
The county purchased the parcel for $13 million last December with the stated intention of constructing a marina with a public boat ramp, but at last week’s meeting, commissioners asked county staff to return in February with two conceptual designs – one with a boat ramp and one without.
The county conducted five informational community open houses attended by 313 people. Common concerns were traffic congestion, water quality, preserving the character of the area and a boat ramp’s traffic and noise impacts on adjacent neighborhoods.
Cortez resident Mark Havens characterized the county’s public information surveys as inconsistent and unscientific.
“You collected a total of 967 responses. Using the current estimated 458,000 people residing in Manatee County, you collected feedback from .2% or 2/10 of 1% of your constituents, an insignificant response rate.”
Kathleen Strakes, HOA president of Harbor Landing Estates, said, “In 2005, the then-board of county commissioners voted unanimously to purchase the Seafood Shack property for the purpose of installing boat ramps. The citizens of north Cortez united under the Concerned Citizens for Cortez Coalition to inform the commissioners on the infrastructure challenges of the area that proved that boat ramps could not be located safely on the site.”
Strakes said nothing has changed to make boat ramps feasible at the site.
Mark Silagy, president of Cove Pointe Condominium Association and a coalition board member, expressed concerns about traffic safety.
“There are unique infrastructure challenges in our area as well as existing traffic congestion. Our residential roadways cannot safely accommodate boat ramp traffic,” he said. “These narrow winding streets have hazardous 90-degree blind corners that are impossible for vehicles towing boats to navigate without encroaching completely into the opposite lane.”
Michael Albert, president of Mariner’s Cove, said 96% of residents oppose the inclusion of boat ramps in the redevelopment plan.
“This is a call for smart sustainable growth that benefits all county residents and visitors without compromising the safety and quality of life in Cortez,” he said.
Commission response
“The need for a boat ramp to relieve the pressure on the existing Anna Maria ramps dates back almost 15 years when we began discussing options and alternatives to service the area south of Manatee River,” Manatee County Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker said. “The last 11 years we have been working with the developer of the Peninsula Bay and we found the cost of that development public/private partnership was too great to meet the objectives of our ramp relief and we backed away. And we did so almost simultaneously with the opportunity to acquire what we call the Cortez Marina, Seafood Shack.”
Hunsicker said there is roughly $4-$5 million in funding for improvements to the property, adding that the site is a possible landing site for the county-owned Gulf Islands Ferry.
“We have very limited public funds,” Commissioner Tal Siddique said.
“The initial thought is to come back with two conceptual plans,” Manatee County Deputy County Administrator Bryan Parnell said, adding that there will be a focus on traffic flow through the property.
Siddique made a motion to authorize staff to initiate the development of the conceptual plans for the property.
“There’s a lot wrong with this, there’s a lot of public safety issues,” Commissioner Bob McCann said. “How much does it cost to start planning and permitting?”
Parnell noted that the property will have to be rezoned based on what is designed.
“Can this be done without a boat ramp there?” McCann asked.
“Without a boat ramp that would not be in line with the original requirement and the funding that was approved for the project,” Parnell said. “The original CIP project that we moved funding from was for boat ramps.”
“It sounds like there’s a lot of objections to this by the people that actually live in the area there,” McCann said. “How are we going to make sure they have a cohesive area where they live and enjoy their life?”
“I don’t have an answer to that question,” Parnell said. “Right now, we’re directed to execute the project to build boat ramps and that’s what we’re moving on. “
McCann said he would vote against boat ramps. Meeting attendees applauded.
“I think we’re rushing this a little. When we went under contract we didn’t anticipate Helene and Milton,” Commissioner George Kruse said. “We’re also rushing this at a questionable budget time. We don’t know what our taxes are going to look like after November’s ballot initiative. If you think you’re building whatever your concept plan is for $5 million, you’re delusional.”
Kruse suggested that for the short term, the property could be developed as a green space with a concession and playground.
“I think you could make something extremely nice there that goes along with Cortez and allows for nice park green space,” he said. “I’m not saying that’s the final plan.”
Kruse said he would like to see a concept plan with boat ramps and without boat ramps.
“We owe it to the public to show them both,” Commissioner Mike Rahn said.
“I don’t know if we have the funding for a boat ramp,” Commissioner Amanda Ballard said. “I don’t dislike the option of parceling out and selling portions to private businesses and then utilizing those funds to make what we have better. “
“We have enough right now to proceed with design master planning of the site,” Parnell said.
“I like the gradual step utilizing the property as a green space right now,” Commissioner Carol Felts said.
“If we only have the money to do the plans, and we don’t have the money to do the building, there’s no real hurry to build this,” McCann said.
A motion to approve authorizing staff to bring back multiple conceptual plans including some with boat ramps and without boat ramps passed 5-1 with McCann opposed. Commissioner Jason Bearden was absent.
CORTEZ – A group of Cortez residents has mobilized in opposition to the proposed boat ramps at the former Seafood Shack property.
The group, Cortez Concerned Citizens Coalition (CCCC) represents 327 Cortez families. The CCCC is expressing concern about boat ramps in a residential area, citing issues including traffic and congestion, safety, environmental stress, impact on property values and noise issues.
On Sept. 5, 2024, Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved the $13 million purchase of the former Seafood Shack property, consisting of seven upland parcels of approximately 5.9 acres and two submerged land leases of 2.9 acres.
The county purchased the property on Dec. 31 from Vandyk Properties with its anticipated use as a public boating access facility, including a boat ramp, dry storage facility and marina.
The Seafood Shack restaurant and Annie’s Bait and Tackle were demolished in April. Both were compatible with the community and supported by residents, according to the CCCC.
“All residents were surveyed about the property’s redevelopment – 93% responded; 96% are firmly opposed to boat ramps,” according to the CCCC’s press release.
Neighborhood surveys showed the most desired local amenities are waterfront dining, 94%; bait and tackle shop, 71%; passive waterfront park, 66%; marina, 60%; and marine fueling station, 51%, according to the release.
The coalition was originally formed in 2005 in response to Manatee County’s previous plans to purchase the property to develop boat ramps.
“After educating county commissioners on the unique infrastructure and access challenges to the area, the commissioners voted unanimously to abandon the purchase and proposed project,” according to the press release.
Members of the CCCC plan to attend the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16 to make their voices heard. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at 1112 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton.
BRADENTON – Manatee County residents expressed their preferences for the future of Cortez Marina at the first of five public workshops at the Bridge Church on July 24.
The workshop, held in an open house format, had four stations – an aerial map of the parcel, a location map and survey, priority ranking for desired amenities and an opportunity for attendees to post a short statement.
Manatee County residents attend the first of five public input workshops on the future of the Cortez Marina. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Manatee County purchased the former Seafood Shack property, which consists of seven upland parcels of approximately 5.9 acres and two submerged land leases of 2.9 acres, on Dec. 31, 2024 for $13 million with the intention of using it for boat ramps and a public marina.
According to a July 11 Manatee County press release inviting residents to attend the workshops, “Manatee County Government is starting with a blank slate to design a vibrant public boat launch and waterfront destination at the Cortez Boat Ramp and public input is being sought. Every dock plank, parking space and amenity will reflect the community’s vision, so project managers are opening the doors wide for citizens to contribute their creativity, concerns and aspirations.”
“The feedback is incredibly important to the commissioners,” Manatee County Communications Division Manager Casey Zempel said. “Any one of these sessions is an opportunity for people to let us know what kind of waterfront they want to see.”
Workshop attendees expressed their preferences regarding the future Cortez Marina amenities. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Suggested amenities for the property included a bait and tackle shop, mooring field, waterfront destination, working waterfront/fish market, passive waterfront, recreation rental, waterfront food truck plaza and waterfront dining. Using stickers, attendees ranked their choices.
“We’re going to combine all the data and let the ideas surface and put together a presentation that we can put before the board and hopefully get approved using all this feedback – great feedback – from the community.”
Consulting firm Kimley-Horne will compile the data from the five workshops and make a final presentation to county commissioners.
“We started with the Cortez area and that really started with our boots on the ground effort. Our neighborhood connections team went out and canvassed the neighborhood door-to-door to make sure the surrounding community knew about these open house sessions so we can have the relevant feedback of those who live in close proximity to the future boat ramp,” Zempel said.
Zempel said county residents could also leave feedback at the Cortez Boat Ramp website.
Additional public workshops are scheduled:
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 5-7 p.m., Manatee Central Library, 1301 First Ave. W., Bradenton;
Monday, Aug. 11, 5-7 p.m., Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach;
Wednesday, Aug. 13, 5-7 p.m., Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 U.S. 301, Ellenton;
CORTEZ – Motorists and others traveling along Cortez Road West, near the Cortez Bridge and the former Seafood Shack property, during Memorial Day weekend will encounter a closed intersection at 127th Street West. The intersection closure is associated with the Cortez Bridge Utility Relocation project.
The Cortez Road/119th Street West intersection remains open but there’s no outlet near the former Seafood Shack property for motorists who turn north on 119th Street West and travel along Harbour Landings Drive and 126th Street West.
A “No Outlet” sign remains in place at the intersection of Cortez Road West and 119th Street West. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
126th Street West remains open but motorists can’t make a left turn onto 127th Street West, near the humpback bridge, to reach the nearby Cortez Road intersection.
127th Street West is also closed at the 126th Street West intersection, at the humpback bridge. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
According to the project update Manatee County issued on May 15, “Pipe installation and related activities are ongoing in preparation for FDOT’s construction of the new Cortez Bridge, scheduled to begin in 2026. Construction is currently underway east of the Cortez Bridge on the north side Cortez Road West along the northern shoulder of 124th Court West; on 127th Street West between Cortez Road West and 126th Street West; and on the south side of Cortez Road West between 124th Street West and Avenue A. Work in these areas is expected to continue through summer 2025.
This map is included in the county’s May 15 project update. – Manatee County | Submitted
“Construction will also be active west of the Cortez Bridge, on the north and south sides of Cortez Road West, throughout the duration of the project, which is expected to be complete in spring 2026. Construction is active Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., with after-hours and weekend work to occur on an as-needed basis. Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are asked to remain mindful of construction vehicles, equipment, crews, materials and traffic patterns when traveling in and near the construction areas,” the update says.
This project schedule information is included in the May 15 update. – Manatee County | Submitted
The Cortez Road West/127th Street West intersection is closed. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Utilities work is taking place on 127th Street West, near the old Annie’s Bait and Tackle location. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
CORTEZ – The demolition of Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop on April 16 marked a sad day in Cortez as years of memories for many were reduced to a pile of rubble.
More than a 70-year-old building, Annie’s held a wide array of meaning for those who came to watch the demolition. For some, it was the first stop for a day on the water for ice, beer, gas and bait; for others it was a spot to unwind on the patio for dinner and drinks and for many, it was one of the last standing local tributes to Florida heritage.
“They’re taking away everything that’s old Florida in Cortez,” Greg Hermes said. “What’s to say they won’t take away the village next?”
The excavator tore through Annie’s and the memoires created there. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Annie’s is on the Seafood Shack parcel that was purchased by the county on Dec. 31, 2024 for $13 million and is slated to become a public boat launch facility to be named Cortez Marina. Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 on March 4 against entering into a lease agreement with Annie’s and in favor of demolishing the hurricane-impacted building. Commissioner Jason Bearden cast the dissenting vote.
That vote followed a January directive by county commissioners to have staff explore options to bring Annie’s up to code.
Standing across the street from the business he owned for 30 years, Annie’s co-owner, Bruce Shearer, watched with his daughter, Anna Gaffey, and 25-30 Cortez residents and friends as an excavator bucket tore through the building.
Within an hour, the building was demolished.
“I almost wish it had just come down in a hurricane so we wouldn’t have had to watch this,” Gaffey said.
Annie’s owner, Bruce Shearer (in hat), watches with friends behind the salvaged Annie’s sign as the building is demolished. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Many in attendance hugged Shearer and shook his hand while thanking him for the years of memories at Annie’s.
The large yellow Annie’s sign that hung over the door was caught in the rubble. Shearer walked across the street to retrieve it but was sent back from the site by a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy for safety reasons. One worker took the battered sign off the pile and brought it across the street to Shearer.
Annie’s owner, Bruce Shearer (in black shirt and hat), has a beer with friends to toast Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop. – Leslie Lake | Sun
A woman, who said she worked at Annie’s for eight years, tearfully said as she walked away, “I can’t watch this anymore.”
The demolition of Annie’s marked the end of an era. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Shearer had said he offered to make repairs to both the building and the county-owned docks at his own expense but was declined by the county.
“They (Manatee County) had a plan. They put us through a dog and pony show to appease people,” Shearer said earlier this month.
Demolition debris from Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop is loaded into a dump truck for disposal. – Leslie Lake | Sun
During the demolition, attendees expressed anger at the Manatee County Commission and in particular, District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique, who represents Cortez. Some attendees were wearing stickers that said, “No Tal. Anyone but Tal, 2028.”
Shearer said he had extended an invitation through the person in charge of the demolition for Siddique to watch the building come down.
Siddique did not attend, but sent the following email to the Sun: “The future is still bright for the Cortez community. Today we can begin to move forward with plans to bring amenities the community has been asking for and do it in a way to be resilient against future storms.”
Spray-painted on the side of Annie’s building was “45.8% FEMA,” referring to the evaluation of storm damage to the building.
“It was less than 50% and we should have been able to fix it up,” Shearer said.
The excavator begins demolition of Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop. – Leslie Lake | Sun
In an April 9 email to The Sun, Manatee County spokesperson Bill Logan addressed the damage estimate and wrote: “The Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE) on January 29, 2025, originally was shown as 45.8% on the building addressed as 4334 127th Street West. The other address shown at this location was 4330 127th Street West with 41.6% SDE. These 2 estimates at the same building were based on visual and high-water marks during the Substantial Damage Assessment.
“The engineering report was used to correctly identify the level of damage and this information was entered into the FEMA Substantial Damage Estimator. The new level of damage for the entire building was reflected on SDE report at 100% on 3/16/25. The Substantial Damage letter will reflect the 100% repair costs to building value.”
As the day wore on, less of Annie’s Bait and Tackle remained. – Leslie Lake | Sun
The Sun made a public records request on April 10 for the Substantial Damage letter and engineering report referenced by Logan, but as of April 16, nothing was received.
“We are saddened by all the losses caused by the busiest and most destructive hurricane season on record,” Logan wrote on April 9. “We will host nine outreach events to gather input from Manatee County residents on the future of this property and look forward to giving our community additional access to the water for boating and recreation.”
CORTEZ – While Manatee County commissioners have not set a demolition date for Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop, they gave Annie’s former owners an April 7 deadline to remove their personal items from the property.
In a March 7 certified letter to Annie’s former co-owner Bruce Shearer, county Project Manager Jeff Anthony wrote: “This letter serves as notification that any personal property you wish to claim from Annie’s Bait and Tackle must be retrieved within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice.
“Memorabilia, sentimental items and fishing supplies are being safely stored in large tote containers in a locked facility. Please contact me to coordinate picking up the totes. Any items remaining on the property on the 30th day will be deemed abandoned.”
Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan wrote in a March 27 email to The Sun: “Unfortunately, there is no set date (for demolition) at this time.”
Outside the iconic bait shop, well-wishers have left flowers and messages of support.
“I think it’s great that the community is doing that for us,” Shearer said. “I want to thank all those people.”
He said people in Cortez aren’t happy about the pending demolition of the building and business he’s owned since 1996.
“People have a lot of memories there,” Shearer said. “I had a plumber working at my house, he’s probably in his 40s and he told me when he was a little kid, he used to go to Annie’s to get shrimp for fishing.”
Shearer said people have asked him for Annie’s memorabilia.
“I still have stock. I’m doing an inventory,” he said. “What I think I might do is have shirts made that say, ‘January 1, 1996 – March 4, 2025, RIP Annie’s.’”
Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 on March 4 against entering into a lease agreement with Annie’s and for the demolition of the 70-year-old Cortez landmark, sited on the Seafood Shack parcel that the county recently purchased for $13 million, which is slated to become a public boat launch facility. Commissioner Jason Bearden cast the dissenting vote.
That vote followed a January directive by county commissioners to have staff explore options to bring Annie’s up to code. Following recommendations and a review by a structural engineer, the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) and fire officials, Manatee County Commissioners voted for the demolition.
Shearer said the county declined his offer to make repairs to both the building and the county-owned docks at his expense.
Spray-painted on the side of Annie’s is “45.8% FEMA,” referring to the evaluation of damage to the building.
“It was less than 50% and we should have been able to fix it up,” Shearer said. “They (Manatee County) had a plan. They put us through a dog and pony show to appease people.”
CORTEZ – While Manatee County commissioners have not set a demolition date for Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop, they gave Annie’s former owners an April 7 deadline to remove their personal items from the property.
In a March 7 certified letter to Annie’s former co-owner Bruce Shearer, county Project Manager Jeff Anthony wrote: “This letter serves as notification that any personal property you wish to claim from Annie’s Bait and Tackle must be retrieved within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice.
“Memorabilia, sentimental items and fishing supplies are being safely stored in large tote containers in a locked facility. Please contact me to coordinate picking up the totes. Any items remaining on the property on the 30th day will be deemed abandoned.”
Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan wrote in a March 27 email to The Sun: “Unfortunately, there is no set date (for demolition) at this time.”
Outside the iconic bait shop, well-wishers have left flowers and messages of support.
“I think it’s great that the community is doing that for us,” Shearer said. “I want to thank all those people.”
He said people in Cortez aren’t happy about the pending demolition of the building and business he’s owned since 1996.
“People have a lot of memories there,” Shearer said. “I had a plumber working at my house, he’s probably in his 40s and he told me when he was a little kid, he used to go to Annie’s to get shrimp for fishing.”
Shearer said people have asked him for Annie’s memorabilia.
“I still have stock. I’m doing an inventory,” he said. “What I think I might do is have shirts made that say, ‘January 1, 1996 – March 4, 2025, RIP Annie’s.’”
Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 on March 4 against entering into a lease agreement with Annie’s and for the demolition of the 70-year-old Cortez landmark, sited on the Seafood Shack parcel that the county recently purchased for $13 million, which is slated to become a public boat launch facility. Commissioner Jason Bearden cast the dissenting vote.
That vote followed a January directive by county commissioners to have staff explore options to bring Annie’s up to code. Following recommendations and a review by a structural engineer, the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) and fire officials, Manatee County Commissioners voted for the demolition.
Shearer said the county declined his offer to make repairs to both the building and the county-owned docks at his expense.
Spray-painted on the side of Annie’s is “45.8% FEMA,” referring to the evaluation of damage to the building.
“It was less than 50% and we should have been able to fix it up,” Shearer said. “They (Manatee County) had a plan. They put us through a dog and pony show to appease people.”
CORTEZ – Following recommendations and a review by a structural engineer, fire officials and the Florida Department of Emergency Management, Manatee County commissioners have voted 6-1 to demolish the historic Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop.
Commissioners had requested options to bring the hurricane-damaged Annie’s up to code on Jan. 28, but the officials deemed the building as having catastrophic damage beyond the FEMA 50% guidelines due to damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year.
As an alternative to the present structure, Manatee County staff presented a rendering of an elevated temporary food sales trailer that could be operated in its place. The cost to the county for the structure, which would include a sitting area and ADA compliant bathrooms, was estimated to be between $150,000 and $250,000, exclusive of incidental costs. Design and permitting for the new structure was estimated at between 18 and 24 months.
That proposal was rejected by Annie’s co-owner Bruce Shearer as a non-viable business model for him.
“As I look at your renderings, my numbers say I would do one-third of the volume I did before, with the same labor costs,” Shearer said. “The numbers aren’t there in any way, shape or form.”
Shearer said he could repair the current building for under $5,000.
“As it stands right now under your proposal, I’m done,” Shearer said. “It won’t financially work. You’ll lose $250,000 and I’ll lose $100,000 and it will be failed within two months, I guarantee you.”
Shearer said that Annie’s consists of multiple businesses – tackle, bait, food, gas, marine supplies, retail and a bar.
“None of those can make a living on their own,” Shearer said. “With that little takeout thing and the tackle, that’s two out of seven. There’s no way your proposal can work, that’s why I can’t go with it.”
“The reason I’m backing out of this is it is going to cost me about $100,000 to restock the floor and building,” he said. “For you to put in $200-250,000 and me to put in $100,000 in your proposal is stupid money.”
Commissioner George Kruse characterized the county’s proposal as basically a food truck, with some picnic tables and a portable toilet outside.
“That’s what this effectively is because that’s what can be provided on this site at the current time,” Kruse said, adding there is currently no dockage for boats to pull up for bait and gas.
“We’re creating an unviable business that Bruce himself has said, and we’re asking them to pay rent they can’t afford on a property that won’t cover the rent because of the business plan being compressed and we’re being asked to do this with tax dollars,” Kruse said.
Kruse said the county is not subsidizing other private businesses that incurred storm damage.
“It doesn’t make sense for us up here to pick winners and losers and subsidize private industry while other private industries are out of business, and then could come in here and ask, “Where’s my help in reopening my restaurant or storefront?’ ” Kruse said. That’s just fact. We have to look at being smart with people’s tax dollars.
“If we choose to take it down, we are choosing to eliminate the nostalgia of the area,” Terry Ingham said during public comment.
Shearer’s daughter, Anna Gaffey, said, “I don’t know why we were strung along for months.”
Commissioner Carol Felts suggested a public/private partnership could offer a solution.
“We might be able to work something out in the future,” she said, adding, “We can’t be unfair to other businesses that had damage from the hurricane as well.”
“The actual report that we conducted, the recommendation says that the building be replaced with a new structure. That’s the crux of the matter here,” County Commissioner Tal Siddique said. “Can you fix it? That report clearly says no. What the county is proposing and telling you what your business should look like is not what you want it to look like. The temporary structure isn’t Annie’s and it isn’t addressing the needs of the community there. Fire inspection concurs. They both ultimately recommend replacing the structure.”
Commissioner Jason Bearden asked if there is a possibility of selling the specific portion of the Seafood Shack property to Shearer.
Kruse said he was not opposed to that idea, but didn’t think it was a conversation for that meeting.
“After my tour and seeing the county’s damage assessment and independent fire marshal’s assessment, I think it’s clear the facts show that it can’t be salvaged,” Siddique said.
He said a reality of living in a coastal district could mean knowing that way of life could go away due to storms.
“The reality is this is not something I feel I can support because we’re bailing out a private business which I think runs counter to my principles how I think government and private business should operate,” Siddique said. “I can’t support a lease and I can’t support anything that doesn’t support a full rebuild.”
Siddique made a motion to direct staff to decline entering into a lease agreement with Shearer, and to move forward with the demolition of the property. The motion passed 6-1 with Bearden casting the dissenting vote.
MANATEE COUNTY – Commissioners are floating the idea of charging for ramp access at the yet-to-be constructed Cortez Marina.
Manatee County purchased the Seafood Shack property in December for $13 million with the intent of creating a public boat access facility that will include boat ramps.
Plans for the marina were discussed at a Feb. 13 town hall meeting conducted by District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique.
Capt. Scott Moore asked about possible fees for use of the boat ramps
“How do you not charge and apply a discount for residents and commercial fishermen?” Moore asked.
“That is the conversation we’re having around the marina property,” Siddique said. “One, we don’t have a plan, and two, I’m very careful when discussing fees. The marina property gives us an opportunity to have an Annie’s-like amenity (Annie’s Bait and Tackle, which is severely hurricane damaged). We’re not ready to propose it, but that’s where the thought is.”
Siddique said he asked staff to prepare a business model to ensure that any funds collected at boat ramps will stay at the boat ramps.
Moore noted that many other counties charge for boat ramp usage.
“Tampa, people pay to use the boat ramps,” Moore said. “We’ve been very fortunate here.”
Traffic and public input
“We had no notification, we had no idea the county was going to buy the Seafood Shack. There was no planning, there was no discussion,” said one Cortez resident, who did not give her name. “To get to Seafood Shack, that’s the access to our homes back there. There will be trucks going back and forth to pick up their boats. I’m here to ask if there is a plan and who is planning this? How do I find out what’s going on?”
“As far as a plan goes, it was bought with the intent to have boat ramps and a marina,” Siddique said. “My plan is this; add sufficient parking so we can relieve traffic on the new bridge, have a ferry service to Bridge Street, we already have the boats to do it, and the ferry to take you from downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria. We’ll take the two that we have and run them north-south just on the Island. For Seafood Shack, my challenge is this, to get cars off the road.”
Attendees asked Siddique what the specific plans for the parcel are.
“Is that normal to buy something for millions of dollars with no plan?” one attendee asked.
“We’re working on it,” Siddique said. “If Manatee County were to buy the property and not tell you what the plan is and not have any public input… I’m working now on having public workshops.”
He said he visualizes a trolley service to help alleviate traffic.
“My vision is we get a trolley just for Cortez that takes you from Seaflower (on 75th and Cortez Road), loops through Cortez and stops at the marina, people get off there and they can take the ferry. I want to make sure we’re giving people options.”
Siddique said a priority for the property now is to try to clear some 15 boats that are sunk at the former Seafood Shack marina.
He said he would like to expand the historic designation that the village has to the boat ramp area across Cortez Road.
“I want to be sure we preserve a significant part of that for charter boat captains and for fishermen,” he said.
Siddique said the final plans for the boat ramp will be a product of public input.
“There will be workshops in the near future,” Siddique told The Sun on Feb. 14. “I’d like to see those happen as soon as possible.”
BRADENTON – Following a strong showing of public support for the continued existence of Annie’s Bait and Tackle at a Jan. 28 Manatee County Commission meeting, coupled with the insistence of County Commissioner Jason Bearden, the commission voted unanimously to direct county staff to explore ways to bring the hurricane-damaged Annie’s up to code.
“I feel like we keep beating around the bush on this,” Bearden said. “We’ve had people come here in public comment today that have made the decision they want to keep Annie’s. Therefore, let me show you how to get it done. County Administrator (Charlie) Bishop, I need you to figure out how to get that building up to code so that Annie’s can continue, period. No ifs, ands or buts.”
Annie’s Bait and Tackle is part of the Seafood Shack parcel that was recently purchased by the county with the intent of creating a public boating facility.
“Do I have a consensus on the board to get that done right now or do I have to make a motion?” Bearden asked.
Commissioner George Kruse then asked Bishop to work with his staff to bring back a discussion about the feasibility of bringing Annie’s up to code.
“They have to speak with FEMA. They have to talk to general contractors, and they have to figure it out.” Kruse said. “It’ll be as soon as feasibly possible they will bring it back.”
“Let’s make a motion then to confirm it,” Bearden said. “I want to make a motion to have something back with regards to what we need to do to get Annie’s back up to code within 30 days.”
That motion passed unanimously at a vote of 7-0 and brought applause from meeting attendees who spoke in support of Annie’s.
Annie’s co-owner, Bruce Shearer, spoke to The Sun after the meeting.
“They’re giving us 30 days, so I’ll be getting a bid from my contractor and bringing it back to them,” Shearer said. “I’m hoping to put it back together and get back to business.”
Shearer said there were approximately 75 people who attended the meeting in support of Annie’s.
“That did wonders,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it.”
Prior to the public comment portion of the meeting, Deputy County Administrator Brian Parnell gave commissioners an update on what is now being called the Cortez Marina property.
“Before the acquisition was finalized, the hurricanes, as anyone can see, caused extensive damage destroying the boat slips, the restaurants and the bait and tackle,” Parnell said.
Parnell said that structural inspections revealed that all the repairs would be beyond 50% of the structures’ value, which triggered FEMA regulations ensuring that any build back would be to current code.
“The current status is they are red-tagged, they are condemned,” Parnell said.
“We went under contract to acquire this pre-storm with the intention of resigning the leases,” Kruse said. “Annie’s bait shack structure is condemned and doesn’t exist. I must adhere to higher powers telling us people cannot be in there and we cannot pull permits. We can’t in good conscience issue permits and ignore FEMA and hold other people that cross the 50% threshold to a different standard on their residences.”
Kruse said the property is going to be fenced off to demolish the Seafood Shack, eliminating parking.
“There’s no boat docking there so there’s no use for a bait shack at the moment,” he said. “We had this discussion, we wanted to work in good faith with Bruce and Annie’s Bait Shack to try to put them there to keep some historical heritage associated with Cortez village in place but we cannot sign leases on condemned buildings. That’s not wise to do, and it’s not legal to do.”
“We did have those discussions prior to the hurricanes when the previous board directed us to purchase the property, we discussed how we could keep operations going on the marina for the two and a half years before we can build something new and get something in place,” Parnell said. “Post-hurricanes, it’s not an option for us anymore.”
“I know that’s not what people want to hear,” Kruse said. “The reality is we do not have a physical structure to sign a lease for. Once this is up and running, this is a good conversation to have with us, how do we refill the location which is inclusive hopefully of Annie’s Bait Shack, which I will keep beating that drum for in two and two and a half years, because I want to keep that historical component associated with this property.”
PUBLIC COMMENT
“My dad is Bruce Shearer, he owns Annie’s. I understand what you’re saying about the building,” said Anna Gaffey. “My parents Bruce and Kim bought Annie’s Bait and Tackle Jan. 1, 1996. They worked hard over the years to turn it into a place where families could come and eat, buy bait and tackle and learn about fishing.”
Gaffey said Annie’s means a lot to the community.
“Over the years, they have watched kids coming in to buy bait and have watched them grow up and now we get to see those kids all grown up bringing their kids to eat and get bait,” she said. “It’s one of the pleasures of being in a business like this, generations of love and passion for fishing.”
“Annie’s has always been an older historic building and that’s what’s important out there. We’d like to see if it’s at all possible to protect it,” Karen Bell said.
“Annies is very important to Cortez,” tour boat Capt. Kathe Fannon said. “It’s historical and a lot of people depend on it. I think taking two and a half years is not acceptable. I think we need to give him the opportunity to put the place back together.”
Shearer said he could fix the hurricane damage for about $5,000.
“If we hadn’t been hit by the hurricanes, you’d have let me stay,” Shearer said. “Five grand, that’s all the damage I’ve got.”
Following the meeting Shearer said, “It’s an iconic place, I hope to get longer than two and a half to three years.”
CORTEZ – Back-to-back hurricanes may have left Annie’s Bait and Tackle badly battered, but its ownership expects to be back up and running soon.
“I’m hoping we can be back open by Thanksgiving,” Annie’s co-owner Bruce Shearer said.
Annie’s, a waterfront landmark just north of the Cortez Bridge, first sustained water damage from Hurricane Helene followed by wind damage from Hurricane Milton.
The docks are gone and a blue tarp covers an opening on the west wall where part of the docks came through.
A red tag on the building from the Manatee County Building Department posted on a window states in part: “It is unsafe and its use or occupancy has been prohibited until all required repairs and inspections are complete.”
“I’m working on getting any permits we need,” Shearer said. “We are definitely going to reopen.”
Annie’s, which has been in existence since the 1950s, has been owned by Shearer and Kim Shepherd for more than 20 years. The shop sells bait and tackle, beer, ice, gas, and food.
“Our motto is ‘if we don’t have it, you don’t need it,’” Shearer told The Sun in May. “There really is nothing else like this. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Annie’s is part of the Seafood Shack parcel that Manatee County is in the process of purchasing for $13 million.
The property consists of seven upland parcels totaling approximately 5.9 acres along with two submerged land leases of 2.9 acres.
The Manatee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase at a Sept. 5 land use meeting. The property is anticipated to be used as a public boating access facility with a boat ramp, dry storage facility, and marina.
“I assume the board will act as a landlord and essentially create a revenue source by leasing slips and continue to lease space to those businesses that are already there,” Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said at the Sept. 5 meeting.
Prior to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the scheduled closing date for the sale was Oct. 7.
“That closing had to get pushed back because of the hurricanes,” Shearer said.
Manatee County spokesperson Bil Logan stated in an Oct. 23 email to The Sun he could not confirm a closing date for the Seafood Shack sale.
Eviction notices from current owner Vandyk Properties advised business owners that the properties, including Annie’s, must be vacated by Sept. 30. Hurricane Helene, however, struck the local area on Sept. 27.
“The current landlord (owner Vandyk Properties) would not agree to a sale date extension to allow the buyers (Manatee County) an opportunity to evaluate the current leases prior to closing, so the current tenants must vacate their locations per the current landlord’s requirements,” Logan wrote in a Sept. 20 email to The Sun.
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