The public is invited to the grand opening and dedication of the Historic Bridge Street Pier at 5:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27.
The city pier, extending from 200 Bridge St. in Bradenton Beach over the waters of Sarasota Bay, has been open to the public since Jan. 23.
Grand opening participants are invited to ride the trolley due to limited parking at the pier. Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 19 to waive the open container law at the pier during the celebration.
Renovation, at a cost of more than $1.4 million and subsidized in part by Manatee County tourist development funds, was initially due to the pier’s age and condition, as the original wooden bridge was built more than 90 years ago. Several renovations have occurred, but the pier and floating dock were damaged by high surf and boats torn from their anchors in Tropical Storm Debby in June 2012.
The vote was placed on the agenda after the Bridge Street Merchants offered to provide alcoholic beverages for the event, at no cost to the city.