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Letter to the Editor: When is it enough?

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

When do the builders and developers have enough money so that they will stop destroying what used to be a great place to live, Anna Maria Island?

When will there be enough monster homes built by overzealous investors right next to smaller homes where people raised their families and came to vacation for generations? When will there be enough residents forced to move because of the noise of traffic or the unending disturbance of two, three or four families suddenly living next door, but moving in and out every week? The once-family homes that were razed and replaced with buildings that accommodate three, four and five families are mini-hotels, not homes.

When will there be enough gold lining the pockets of builders, investors and developers who are turning an unpolished gem into Clearwater, St. Pete or Fort Lauderdale? We need to wake up and see the destruction of the lifestyle we all thought we had on Anna Maria Island.

Sean Murphy is right – the issue is not parking; the issue is traffic! Why not have an engineering company perform a traffic impact analysis?

Who is going to pay for the proposed parking garages on the island? Will visitors then have to pay to park when visiting our free beaches?

Beachgoers could park in the two virtually empty parking deck garages in downtown Bradenton. The county can lease, on a seasonal basis, interstate/Greyhound-type buses that have plenty of storage for beachgoers’ chairs, etc. They can run every 20 minutes, significantly reducing congestion. This would eliminate idling cars either stuck in traffic or moving so slowly due to traffic that air pollution is increased, valuable fuel resources are wasted, and frustration and anger and angst are created – let us not forget people who LIVE on the island.

Residents cannot go out to shop, go out to eat, or leave the Island to go to church unless they spend hours in traffic for what used to be a 10-minute drive. Have you ever walked on the Island’s sidewalks in season while cars spew carbon monoxide in your face?

The fellow Holmes Beach resident who wrote, “We only have so much space; apply the math…” was so right.

It is painfully clear that parking isn’t the real issue – the true motive behind this is development and profit.

Stop the madness!

Last, but not least, the county commissioners and the FDOT should build a bridge to Longboat Key which would alleviate the Gulf Drive/Cortez traffic nightmare.

 

Paul Reed Steberger

Holmes Beach

It’s spring break on the Island

It’s spring break on the Island

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Every year at this time, thousands of high school and college students come to the Island to get away, trading tests and quizzes for sunshine and sand. Some come with their families, others with groups of friends, many escaping the still-freezing temperatures in much of the country.

“I’m here with 11 of my girlfriends from Auburn. We have two condos next to each other in Holmes Beach,” said Ashley Coffee, a junior at Auburn University. “Even though we go to school in the south, it’s still pretty cold. My grandparents had a place here, so I grew up coming to the Island, but this is the first time here for most of the girls.”

Ashley says her friends are having a blast, and they all love the more “chill” atmosphere here compared to Panama City or Siesta Key. The Auburn students aren’t alone; many spring breakers share the sentiment.

“We did Fort Lauderdale two years ago and it was awful,” said Hannah Smith, who is enjoying a relaxing spring break with three friends in Bradenton Beach. “We’re just not about the crazy party atmosphere.”

It’s spring break on the Island
Spring breakers enjoy a game of beach volleyball at Coquina Beach. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

While Miami has enacted a curfew on alcohol sales due to spring breakers fighting and rioting in the streets, things couldn’t be more different here. Law enforcement officials on the Island say that with the exception of a recent attack on a local man, everyone is well behaved, and there has not been an increase in crime due to the increase in visitors. 

“The week of March 13 through 19, which was spring break for Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough, we averaged 31,900 cars per day in Holmes Beach,” said Chief Bill Tokajer of the Holmes Beach Police Department. “We haven’t seen an increase in crime. We are a very visible department and it seems like we have fewer problems every year.”

Chief Tokajer says that many students who come to Holmes Beach year after year learn that things like drinking alcohol on the beach won’t be tolerated so they just don’t do it. While other destinations are seeing violent outbursts that often spill into the streets, on the Island, it’s rare to even see a fist fight. This seems to be a draw for more students each year who want to relax and unwind.

Bradenton Beach police also see no increase in crime during the spring break season.

“We haven’t seen an uptick in crime, in fact, for the most part we’ve had a great spring break season so far,” said Lieutenant Lenard Diaz of the Bradenton Beach Police Department. “We haven’t had any issues with drinking being a problem. It’s really been a great season.”

With college and university spring breaks spread out over many weeks, the spring break season will continue through the second week of April. While crime may not be a big issue, traffic will, so if you’re planning a trip by car to the Island, be aware that traffic will be heavy and allow plenty of time to get on and off the Island.

Pedestrian struck in Anna Maria

Pedestrian struck in Anna Maria

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

ANNA MARIA – Ohio resident S. Weiss (no first name provided) was struck by a vehicle Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 2, while crossing Pine Avenue near the Roser Memorial Community Church.

According to Sgt. Brett Getman, of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit, Weiss was transported to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton with non-life-threatening injuries. Weiss was conscious, alert and smiling while lying on the gurney as he was being wheeled to the EMS transport vehicle.

The vehicle that struck Weiss was driven by Anna Maria resident R. Walter (no first name provided). According to Getman, Walter was issued a citation for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

The driver of the vehicle was questioned by sheriff’s deputies. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Local resident Rich Bell witnessed the accident.

“The guy was crossing in front of Roser Church, at the crosswalk,” Bell said. “He was hit by the side of the vehicle and he fell on his right shoulder. He got a couple scuffs, but he’s really lucky because it could have been way worse. If he hadn’t turned like he did he would have went over the front of the car.”

Construction

Sarasota road work affecting travel to and from the Island

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Transportation.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Unsuspecting motorists have found themselves stuck in traffic backed up for miles recently as they traveled from Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key to  Sarasota. 

“I’ve never seen traffic backed up this far, this is unreal,” said Bradenton Beach resident Jim Haas. “I was going for dinner with friends in Sarasota and had to turn around and come home. I stopped at a store in Longboat and the guy working said his customers were reporting a two-hour wait to get through St. Armands Circle and across the bridge into Sarasota.” 

On Wednesday, Aug. 17, the traffic in Coquina Beach looked more like a Saturday during spring break than an August afternoon. Traffic was unusually heavy, but beach parking was virtually empty, likely due to people turning around after realizing going south was a futile effort. 

According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the project causing the backups is the reconstruction of the signalized intersection on U.S. Highway 41 at Gulfstream Avenue. It is being replaced with a multi-lane roundabout. The project also includes installing a HAWK pedestrian crossing signal system, replacing the underground drainage structures, utilities, fiber optic, LED streetlights, reconfiguration of stormwater retention ponds and adding sidewalks and pedestrian walkways.

The project is being done in several phases with completion set for Fall 2022, but the current traffic pattern shift causing the most serious delays should flow better within several days to a couple of weeks. In the meantime, motorists can use a navigation app to check for delays, or avoid the construction area altogether using Cortez Road to U.S. Highway 41 into Sarasota.

cart accident

Golf carts causing frustration, accidents

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Transportation.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – With parking at a premium on the Island, many visitors are turning to golf cart rentals for vacation transportation, and the increase is causing frustration for visitors and residents and an increase in accidents.

“I don’t understand how it’s legal to drive these things on the road,” said Linda Ruckman of Anna Maria. “If the speed limit is 35 and these carts only go 20 miles per hour, how is that legal? I work in Bradenton Beach and it takes forever to get there because I’m always stuck behind at least one cart going well below the speed limit.”

Unfortunately for Ruckman and others annoyed by the carts driving under the speed limit, there is little that can be done. Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz of the Bradenton Beach Police Department and Chief William Tokajer of the Holmes Beach Police Department both state that it is legal for the carts to drive under the speed limit as long as they are properly registered and operated by a licensed driver.

“Legally, they are OK at any speed, so there isn’t much any of the police departments can do about that,” Tokajer said, noting that there have been more cart-related accidents this year than normal, including a hit and run that left a woman driving a golf cart in serious condition requiring surgery.

“Because of the uptick in accidents, our department is currently running enhanced enforcement,” he said. “We’re checking for seatbelts being buckled, child seat use and other violations. If you aren’t using the carts properly and safely, you will be ticketed.”

“We recently had a collision where the cart driver was ejected from the cart because he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt,” Diaz said. “We treat golf carts just like higher speed vehicles, they are subject to the same laws, so even though they may be going slower than people would like, if they merge into the bike lane to wave cars past, they are committing a traffic offense and will be pulled over.”

Tokajer echoed Diaz’ statement, saying his department will ticket carts driving in the bike lane.

Cart accident
A cart came to rest on a dune over 200 feet from the scene of a collision with a sedan at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Cortez Road in Bradenton Beach. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

The lack of golf cart rentals also is causing frustration for visitors. Jamie Carte, who is staying with his wife and two children in Bradenton Beach, decided to fly into Tampa and have a friend in the area drive them to the Island. The plan was to rent a golf cart since the family had no intentions of leaving the Island during their stay. Unfortunately, what should have been an easy fix turned into a big headache for the family. 

“It took a lot of searching to even find a cart on a week’s notice, but once we did it looked like it was going to be great. It was parked in front of our rental unit when we arrived and looked brand new,” said Carte, whose experience took an unfortunate turn for the worse.

Golf cart pic
Jamie Carte and family with their golf cart in Bradenton Beach. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

“The second time we jumped on the cart, it broke down a block from the condo,” he said. “The rental company came and picked it up then called the next day and said it couldn’t be easily fixed and no replacement was available.”

After being issued a full refund, it took the Carte family two days of searching to secure another golf cart, which left them to rely solely on public transportation for almost half of their stay on the Island.

AMI on the Fourth of July: Here’s your checklist

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Featured.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – After a record-breaking spring season and Memorial Day weekend, all signs point to the busiest July 4 holiday ever, based on indications from Island innkeepers and renters, flights booked into SRQ and trends studied by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council.

Whether you’re a longtime Island resident or just here for a week, there’s plenty you need to know in order to have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day.

Parking

Parking is a constant subject of local debate in the three cities that make up Anna Maria Island and it is one of the most discussed topics by people planning a visit.

Bradenton Beach has more parking than the other two cities. Parking is available at both county beaches (Coquina Beach and Cortez Beach) where free trolleys turn around every 20 minutes from 6 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., seven days a week, transporting visitors to locations anywhere on Anna Maria Island.

The main parking lot is located off First Street North just east of Circle K. The lot is also accessible off Bridge Street. Additional parking lots are located in the 400 block of Highland Avenue (Police Department) and south of the Public Works facility (under the cell tower). All parking areas are free and all lots are closed at midnight.

Here are some parking prohibitions in the three cities:

Anna Maria          
  • In areas with signs prohibiting parking
  • On a sidewalk
  • On a street (all tires must be off the pavement)
  • Facing the wrong direction
  • Angle parking
  • Within 30 feet of a stop sign
  • Within 20 feet of an intersection
  • Double parking
  • Blocking a driveway
  • Between 10 p.m. – 6 a.m.
  • In a handicapped zone or space without a permit
Bradenton Beach
  • On a street
  • In the grass or on the sand at Coquina Beach
  • Anywhere that emergency vehicles will be blocked; blocking vehicles will be towed
  • In a handicapped zone or space without a permit ($300 fine)
  • Anywhere that is not a designated parking spot.
Holmes Beach
  • In areas with signs that prohibit parking
  • On a sidewalk
  • On a crosswalk or within 20 feet of a crosswalk
  • On a bicycle path
  • Within 30 feet of a stop sign
  • Within 30 feet of an intersection
  • Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
  • Blocking a public or private driveway
  • In a handicapped zone or parking space without the proper license plate or hang-tag issued by a state and affixed to or in the car
  • Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. at Manatee Beach
  • Facing the wrong direction
  • Double parking, either side by side or tandem
  • On private property without the permission of the owner of the property

Traffic

Anna Maria Island is small – 7 miles long – and the southern portion of the Island is very narrow. Because of the geography, there are few back roads and very few shortcuts.

It likely will be shoulder-to-shoulder on AMI beaches this holiday weekend, so plan on arriving early. – Mike Field | Sun

According to Holmes Beach Police Chief William Tokajer, more than 31,000 cars entered his city on Memorial Day, and there’s no reason to expect less for the July 4 holiday. While Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach don’t track vehicles, numbers are expected to be similar. The best policy for dealing with traffic headaches is to just accept that there is not much that can be done about it, relax and enjoy the scenery. A great deal of the traffic jams on AMI come with views much more pleasant than the daily grind in most American cities.

If you can leave the car at home, there is some help being offered by Manatee County. In an effort to help drivers avoid heavy beach crowds over the Fourth of July weekend, Manatee County Area Transit will offer free rides onto and off of Anna Maria Island via Manatee Avenue next week.

The special fare-free zone allows passengers to board the Beach ConneXion Shuttle to Manatee Beach from July 2-4 at any MCAT stop between 75th Street West and Anna Maria Island.

The AMI Trolley and the Beach ConneXion Shuttle will operate on Independence Day, but regular fixed-route and Handy Bus services are suspended on July 4. Regular fixed route and Handy Bus services are available on Saturday, July 3 and will resume Monday, July 5.

Wildlife

The Island is home to a large variety of wildlife, and while it is a great place to live and visit, it is also their home and needs to be respected. It’s currently nesting season for sea turtles and many shorebird species, including least terns, a threatened species that hasn’t had a successful nesting colony in 15 years on the Island. 

Here are a few tips to enjoy your trip and not disturb native wildlife:

  • Manatees may approach you, but enjoy them while giving them space. Take a picture, but don’t touch them. They won’t harm us, but we can easily harm them.
  • Birds are everywhere on AMI, from osprey to pelicans to seagulls and many more. They will often come very close to humans, but they also need to be enjoyed from a distance. Don’t feed any birds, and please teach children that chasing them is not ok. Chasing birds could cause them to abandon their nests. Also, cleaning up after your beach visit keeps trash from being entangled in a wing or a leg. 
  • Sea turtles are currently nesting. Please fill any holes you or your children may dig on the beach. A baby sea turtle could hatch at night and fall into the hole, and that’s a meal for a predator. Also avoid flashlights or cellphone lights on the beach at night. It can confuse hatchlings and they will not make it to the ocean. 
  • While the Gulf coast is known to be relatively safe for swimming, be aware that it’s still wild, and the wildlife needs to be respected. Watch for any warnings from beach patrol and lifeguards regarding dangerous marine life. This could be sharks, jellyfish or other marine life of concern. When walking in the ocean, practice the “stingray shuffle.” Stingrays don’t want to hurt you, and if one swims by there is no cause for serious concern. However, they like to bury themselves in the sand at times, and if you step on one, they may sting you out of fear they are being attacked. The “stingray shuffle” means sliding your feet through the sand as you walk in the water rather than using a traditional step. The stingray will know you’re coming and will swim away. 

Weather protection

Summer is the rainy season on the Island. This doesn’t mean it rains all the time, but severe afternoon storms are very common this time of year, and the weather should be taken seriously. In addition to protecting your body, using some common sense will protect your property as well.

  • When a storm comes, take shelter and stay out of the water. It’s not uncommon for a summer storm to produce more than 50 lightning strikes in a radius of just a few miles. If you can hear thunder, you are in range to be struck by lightning. High winds from afternoon storms can also produce dangerous riptides which can cause drowning.
  • The sun is very strong in the summer, and even if it’s cloudy, you can get a serious burn that can make your beach time much less pleasant for days. Use sunblock, and reapply after going in the water regardless of how “waterproof” your sunscreen claims to be.
  • Anna Maria Island has a low crime rate, and while violent crimes are rare, anytime tens of thousands of people gather in a small area, crimes of opportunity will happen. Try not to bring valuables to the beach, and if you must, don’t wander away from them. Jewelry, electronics and beach supplies are easy targets for beach thieves. 

The beach

Dogs, alcohol, grills, glass bottles and other items are not permitted on Island beaches. If you choose to risk it, be aware that you will be fined if caught by beach patrol. Most public beach access entrances have signs that let you know what is allowed and what is prohibited at that particular beach.

Fireworks

See Fireworks at amisun.com.

Castles in the Sand

More people and we’re still growing

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

We’re at the end of our winter season, and as much as I hate to say it, the traffic was worse than ever. I know everyone says the same thing every year, but they’re correct every year. It is indeed worse and for good reason.

Between July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017, Manatee County gained an estimated 10,000 more residents according to the U.S. Census data. This makes Manatee County the 44th fastest-growing county in the United States between 2010 and 2017.  In addition, we added about 62,700 people during a seven-year period, and they all want to go to our much-publicized beaches.

The estimated population of Manatee County as of July 1, 2017, was 385,571, and there’s more.

The Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research estimates the 2020 high projected population to be around 405,100, and by 2045 it could go as high as 645,200, and with all of the new development either underway or planned, I believe every one of those numbers. What effect this has on real estate values, in general, is almost impossible to predict, but more people need more housing – you do the math.

But this is still 2018, and it’s time for my one million dollars and over analysis of properties sold and listed in Cortez and the three cities on Anna Maria Island. This time I looked at January, February and March for sold properties and currently available properties for sale or pending as of this writing.

The statistics on foreclosed properties are from the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, and the properties on the market are from the realtor.com website, which generally reflects properties on local multiple listing services. Also, please note that I use primarily condos and single-family homes in the analysis.

Properties $1 million and over that closed between January and March of this year are as follows:

Cortez had one sale at $1,112,500; the previous three-month period had none. The city of Anna Maria had 11 sales during this period ranging from $4,260,000 to $1,140,000; during the previous period there were nine. The combined cities of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach had eight sales between $1,925,000 and $1,000,000; the last three-month period had 11.

Available properties for sale as of this writing are: Cortez has four properties either available or pending between $1,100,000 and $1,500,000; the previous three-month period there were five. The city of Anna Maria has 56 properties either available or pending ranging from $4,995,000 to $1,169,000. During the previous three-month period there were 42. And the combined cities of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach have 70 either available or pending properties between $4,600,000 and $1,000,000. The previous three-months there were 47.

So, what does this snapshot of our coastal market tell us? First of all, it tells us that the number of closed properties is more or less stable. However, the number of available properties, some of which are pending, is up on the island, particularly Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach, which is way up. There are certainly closed sales that are not reflected in these numbers, and, hopefully, the next three-month period will reflect more closing as we start to ease out of the winter selling season.

What we do know for sure is more and more people are discovering our little piece of paradise, which will only lead to bigger and bigger traffic jams. I can almost guarantee you that a year from now I will be writing the same thing as I stated in the first paragraph of this column – it’s the worst year for traffic ever, assuming I can get over the Cortez Bridge.

Traffic

Traffic snarls at Gulf Drive construction zones

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Transportation.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Along the Holmes Beach/Bradenton Beach border, residents and visitors alike are finding themselves stuck in something reminiscent of winter season traffic with added heavy construction equipment.

The backup is due to work on the Manatee County Force Main Five project in two spots on Gulf Drive, at 28th Street and 26th Street. Construction in the area is expected to last through the end of April, resuming May 1 at Gulf Drive and Avenue C. With traffic patterns shifted to the west side of the street and sections of sidewalks used for vehicular traffic, bicyclists and pedestrians should be especially careful when moving through construction areas.

force main gulf drive crosswalk
Cars drive past a crosswalk stuck in the middle of Gulf Drive construction where traffic is temporarily down to one lane for vehicles. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

While construction is ongoing during the day, flaggers are stationed at both ends of each construction area. These flaggers will stop vehicular traffic to allow bicyclists and pedestrians through the vehicular traffic lanes where sidewalks aren’t available. They also stop traffic to allow pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross Gulf Drive. Temporary crosswalks are located on both sides of each construction area. Cyclists and pedestrians should be very cautious when approaching the construction areas and remain to the side of vehicular traffic until instructed to move by flaggers. If a flagger is not available, pedestrians and cyclists should avoid the area or move through with extreme caution. Without a flagger’s assistance, pedestrians should not attempt to walk in vehicle lanes. Sidewalks on the west side of Gulf Drive remain open except where vehicle lanes shift to the west.

force main gulf drive two bicycles
Vehicles share the road with two bicyclists as they travel northbound on Gulf Drive through the Force Main Five work zone. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Motorists also will experience intermittent temporary lane closures where traffic is reduced for a short time to a single lane. Anyone driving through the area should prepare to experience delays. Speed limits are reduced to 25 miles per hour in the construction zones.

Because the Force Main Five project is a two-year project, construction will be ongoing on different sections of the Island’s primary roadways for the near future. Tina Allen, community outreach specialist on the project, said workers will try to get everyone through construction areas as quickly as possible. Due to the amount of work to be done, she said it’s impossible to plan work around seasonal traffic increases.

“Inevitably, this project presents impacts to someone, somewhere on AMI related to daily construction activities,” Allen said in an email to The Sun. “We understand the impact that a project of this magnitude presents to AMI property owners and visitors, and the project team is working to ensure that our contractors are sensitive and responsive to all expressed concerns, to the extent practical.”

Pipeline project

Pipeline work slowing Gulf Drive traffic

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured, Transportation.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Construction work that is slowing traffic on Gulf Drive is due to the first phase of the Anna Maria Island Force Main 5 replacement project between 28th Street in Holmes Beach and 26th Street North in Bradenton Beach.

During construction, traffic lanes will remain open in both directions, though traffic will be shifted toward the western side of the street to allow for construction equipment. During this phase of construction, access to side streets will remain open from Gulf Drive.

Pipeline work
Crews work next to Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach on Tuesday, March 27. – Mike Field | Sun

A second phase of construction on the new force main is expected to begin on or around May 1, ending around June 29. Construction on the force main replacement will take place between Avenue C and Cortez Road. During construction, Gulf Drive will remain open to motorists with traffic lanes realigned on the west side of the street.

Once work reaches the area of 10th Street N. and Gulf Drive, access from Gulf Drive to 10th Street N. will be closed. Motorists will need to use either 11th or 12th Street N. to access 10th Street N. from Gulf Drive during this phase of construction.

Drivers can expect lowered speed limits and temporary delays when traveling through construction areas. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities will be closed in construction areas. Walkers and cyclists moving through these areas will need to move to the west side of the street or take an alternate route. In some areas of construction, pedestrians and cyclists may need to share the road with motorists. Construction in both areas may take longer than anticipated due to bad weather or other unforeseen delays.

Pipeline work
Watch for orange cones, where traffic must slow.

Traffic signs directing motorists, pedestrians and cyclists will be placed temporarily in work zones during construction.

For more information on the ongoing force main replacement project, contact the project’s community outreach specialist Tina Allen at 813-842-2359 or tina@valerin-group.com.

ITPO island traffic study

Mayors disappointed with traffic study results

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Transportation.

ANNA MARIA – The Sarasota/Manatee Barrier Island Traffic Study has a long way to go before results impress the three Island mayors.

After a recent presentation by Florida Department of Transportation project manager Tricia Labud, Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson was the first to express his concern. Johnson asked if Stantec, the contractor conducting the study, is providing any accumulation of collected data. Primarily, he’s concerned with receiving results that don’t consider driver origins and destinations.

Labud said Stantec has gathered some data using strategically placed Bluetooth counters during the previous winter season. Additional roadway user information is expected to be gathered from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Using this information, Labud expects Stantec representatives to determine how many visitors are coming to Anna Maria Island for leisure rather than work. Other collection methods include sending surveys to local business owners and online at the project website.

Though Labud admits more information gathering is needed in this area, Johnson still isn’t satisfied.

“I think it’s difficult to find solutions when you don’t know what it’s being used for,” he said.

Causing concern for Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy is how available parking spaces on the Island were calculated for the study.

Labud said approximately 2,500 parking spaces are available across the three Island cities for public parking. The issue, she admitted, is that the only parking that was counted is located in publicly available lots. The counts do not include right-of-way parking. Murphy said discounting right-of-way parking removes many of the spaces available in the Island cities.

Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon agreed with his fellow mayors. He said more work needs to be done to adequately assess the usage of Island roads, sidewalks and available parking during peak season.

One of the potential traffic solutions offered by Labud is to enact a park and ride service for beachgoers. Shearon suggested beachgoers might not be the best audience for a park and ride service because they come with baggage. Even if some people use the service, he said it might not be enough to alleviate congestion. This leaves riders in the same traffic without their personal vehicles.

“I think it’s going to be a real challenge to get people to use a park and ride system,” he said.

“It goes back to knowing who your users are,” Murphy said. He suggested targeting Island workers versus beachgoers. “You need to target the people who would benefit from your product,” he added.

Labud said the traffic study is in the middle of the second of three phases. A steering committee meeting to discuss Phase Two is tentatively scheduled for the first week in November.

“Phase Two is the primary work,” Johnson said. “I can’t imagine having all of the information that’s needed in the short period of time the study’s been going on.”

Labud said a more detailed report on the traffic study is expected at the next Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting. A draft of the study analysis also is expected within the next few weeks.