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Anna Maria Island Happenings....
Bridge Street Pier scheduled for 'soft' opening on September 2nd
September 2nd is the estimated opening date of the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach, which coincides with Bridge Street's Merchant Festival.
Damaged by storms in 2004, the restaurant and fishing pier were closed to fishermen and visitors. Despite many change orders and price escalations for the project, the $2.2 million Bradenton Beach capital improvement has been moving ahead and is nearing completion.
The restaurant is in place and the equipment delivered and the tackle shop, although lacking the bait wells, is nearly complete, as is the harbormaster offices.
The new city pier separates the fishermen from those at the restaurant, with the fishermen having a walkway to the south of the structure rather than navigating their
way through the diners as they did on the old pier. Also, to the south of the pier is a 210-foot-long floating dock which is the result of a state grant and will hopefully be the docking place for an eventual water-taxi service for Bradenton Beach. However, in the meantime it will provide public docking for those wanting to use the pier's facilities.
Dave Russell, owner of Rotten Ralph's, will operate the pier restaurant and promises the same fare as his historic Anna Maria restaurant: grouper -- lots of grouper, along with a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. The city has approved beer and wine sales for the new restaurant. The restaurant may have a limited menu for the September 2nd opening, depending on how much of the work is completed in the kitchen.
Bradenton Beach Police Chief, Sam Speciale has been tapped as the 'facilitator' of this project, a role he seems to be enjoying!
“Nobody thought I could do this,” he said. “I wasn’t sure I could, either, but it’s been really a kick.”
The new Bridge Street Pier promises to be a highlight for the city.
Sept. 26th Update from The Islander:
Open!
The Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach is officially open. City officials cut the ribbon to open the pier to the public at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21. Rotten Ralph's on the Pier Waterfront Restaurant is expected to open Wednesday or Thursday this week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. The pier, 200 Bridge St., has undergone a $2.2 million reconstruction, adding a new restaurant, harbor master office, tackle shop, rest rooms and a floating dock. Ironically, the dock was roped off for the opening ceremonies due to an errant sailboat that struck the dock and pier after it broke its mooring during a storm the night before. A grand opening for the restaurant is planned for Oct. 25, according to Loretta Russell of Rotten Ralph’s.
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WELCOME HOME!
CONSTRUCTION AT THE CENTER IS FINISHED!
Islanders are invited to come explore the new facility and be a part of AMICC's return home.
The state of the art facility is gearing up for the popular fall classes along with the youth sports programs and island events. The process of moving in should be completed by the end of August with Saturday, Nov. 10 scheduled for the grand opening celebration. Details will follow. |
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Project to preserve 'Old Florida' on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria
Anna Maria businessman Ed Chiles and Pine Avenue resident Mike Coleman have formed an investment company to buy Pine Avenue properties and restore or develop them as two-story, retail-office-residential structures that would retain the “Old Florida” charm of the city.
Ed Chiles, in addition to being the head of the ownership group of the Sandbar, BeachHouse and Mar Vista restaurants, is also chairman of START, the organization that fights red tide; president of the Manatee Community Foundation; vice-chairman of the Lawton Chiles Foundation; a member of the tourism development council; the former chairman of Goodwill (two terms); campaign treasurer for Christine Jennings for Congress; and volunteers to help the Anna Maria Island Community Center when called upon.
When asked why he would take on the work and financial responsibility of putting together an investment group to purchase Pine Avenue properties in Anna Maria for development as retail-office-residential locations with an “Old Florida” architectural style?
“It’s a very exciting opportunity,” said Chiles, who is working with partner Mike Coleman, who lives on Pine Avenue, to accomplish this dream.
“In my lifetime, I’ll likely never have but this one opportunity to preserve the Anna Maria that I grew up in, the Anna Maria we all remember. Why not take the chance?”
The two have quietly signed purchase contracts on 15 properties along Pine Avenue and six on North Bay Boulevard at the Pine Avenue intersection. Their plan is to renovate the developed properties or build new two story units. The structures would all be less than 30 feet in height (not the 37-foot-high, single-family residences that can presently be built). Their plan is to turn these properties into what Coleman called the “Gulf coast cracker look,” with one story for a residence above retail space.
If people want to envision what the properties would look like after development, “Think Roser Cottage,” he suggested.
The idea is to retain the charm and ambiance of Anna Maria as envisioned in 1911 when the city pier was built to accommodate visitors from Tampa.
“There will be no three-story structures in our plans,” emphasized Chiles, who said he and Coleman have been talking for months on how to preserve Pine Avenue from unsightly development.
“Mike and I were concerned about the potential loss of the old-style residences along Pine Avenue. I think the two-story, Old Florida look is what planners had in mind when they laid out the city in 1911. We want to re-do Pine Avenue in the historical Anna Maria style.”
The 21 properties under contract have a steep price. Chiles and Coleman have about 90 days to complete their purchases and Chiles is looking for other investors.
“We have a lot of money to raise to make this a reality,” said Chiles. “But we believe this is the look that the residents want on Pine Avenue.”
The feedback he and Coleman have received in the community has been nothing but enthusiastic for the idea, he indicated.
“We’re already begun talking to investors,” Chiles said. “We’re hoping news of this reaches the European market and investors with Eurodollars or British pounds. This is a great investment opportunity for them because of the favorable exchange rate, and they would be getting Anna Maria real estate at a fair price.”
Commissioners praised the effort and pledged their support.
“This is a great idea,” said Commission Chairman John Quam, while Commissioner Jo Ann Mattick added
that it’s a “wonderful vision.” Mayor Fran Barford agreed.
“An opportunity like this is amazing. We really need to support this concept.”
The mayor said she and city planner Alan Garrett had met earlier last week with Coleman to discuss his ideas.
“This is the fabric and thread to preserve this city,” said Garrett. The issues arising can be overcome, he predicted.
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Free trolley will hopefully continue
Manatee County officials are facing a set of major budget cuts to meet state mandates of cutting back property tax levies. One of the cuts includes an estimated $50,000 shortfall for the Manatee Trolley, the free system that shuttles passengers from Bradenton Beach to Anna Maria seven days a week.
To offset the shortfall for the trolley, based on county budget cuts, offers have been proffered which have included a fee for riders. County officials asked the three island cities to add some money to keep the trolley free.
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said the county has asked if the Island cities are willing to contribute $8,000 each next year to keep the trolley running “free” without charge to riders. The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce would contribute another $1,000, and the county’s tourist development council the remaining $25,000.
“It seems that $8,000 is a good trade-off,” Chappie said.
“We need to come up with our commitment,” Commissioner Janie Robertson said.
“Everyone knows the benefit of a free trolley,” said Holmes Beach Commissioner David Zaccagnino.
Zaccagnino hopes the board can hold a special meeting to discuss finding $8,000 to keep the trolley free.
“It’s a Band-Aid fix, a patch, until they figure out something next,” said Zaccagnino, who is concerned that creating a fare system for the trolley would put more vehicles on Island roads and diminish tourism. He has said that $1 a day also could be a hardship for those on a fixed or limited income.
In Anna Maria, city treasurer Diane Percycoe said Mayor Fran Barford had instructed her to add $8,000 to the 2007-08 budget. Percycoe indicated that the money will likely come from the city’s contingency fund.
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