BRADENTON BEACH – Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with Manatee County on April 8 for tourist tax money to be used to repair and modify the city’s floating dock structures.
“This is for repairs to the floating dock system so the ferry can continue to operate,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. “Elliott (Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau) had agreed to $35,000 and then after discussions with him and some discussions with the boat captain and Duncan (Duncan Seawall) we agreed to $100,000 for the city to make modifications to the floating dock system post-Hurricane Helene.”
The repairs for damage sustained from Hurricanes Helene and Milton include replacing pilings, decking and handrails, repairing the pier’s adjacent dinghy dock and replacing or repairing floating docks on the south side of the pier.
“To accommodate the addition of a third larger ferry, enhancements to the current docking area are needed, ” according to the agreement. The project includes upgrading and extending the fire suppression system on the main fishing pier, adding aluminum reinforcements to all finger piers, adding moor ing piles to the water taxi slip and adding heavy duty waste receptacles and benches. The county will reimburse the city up to $100,000, which is not subject to the FEMA insurance reimbursement requirement.
According to the agreement, the city’s project costs to be reimbursed by the county are not to exceed $375,000. If the city receives insurance or FEMA payments for any pier repair project costs, the city must reimburse the county up to $375,000.
