Tourism continues to thrive in the area, and Anna Maria Island continues to reap benefits from tourist tax dollars.
In two unanimous votes, the island scored a funding recommendation for the Historic Bridge Street Pier project in Bradenton Beach and red tide cleanup costs were partially alleviated at the Oct. 17 meeting of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council.
Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Visitors and Convention Bureau, made the recommendations to the council, which was short one member due to the resignation of Trevor Gooby, formerly the representative for Pirate City.
The council voted unanimously to fund a $125,000 reimbursement — half of the projected $250,000 cost — for the Bradenton Beach pier day dock project.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” Falcione said of the proposed day dock. “We advised the city (of Bradenton Beach) that we prefer to invest in major capital renovations, not just ongoing repairs. We will work with the city for a reimbursement agreement and send this for approval, hopefully, in the next month or so.”
Bradenton Beach Mayor William Shearon and Chief Sam Speciale, head of the police department and pier team facilitator, spoke to the TDC.
“We are looking ahead to the water taxis and the water ferry. It amazes me that little pier has so many people passing through it. I see pictures of the (pier) tower everywhere,” Speciale said.
The city will restore the day dock to its original footprint and stringent specifications are in place to avoid storm damage in the future, Speciale said.
Falcione also addressed red tide cleanup costs that skyrocketed after fish kills sullied Anna Maria Island beaches for several weeks in October. The TDC approved a request to fund $15,000 to assist with the unexpected expenditures.
The TDC recommendations will to go the Manatee County Board of Commissioners for final approval.
In other business, Johnette Isham of Realize Bradenton gave the TDC an update on events and projects of the nonprofit arts and culture organization, including Walk Bradenton, public art displays and the Bradenton Blues Festival in December.
Isham stressed the importance of engaging millennials in the culture of the city, as their numbers continue to grow in area population demographics.
Michele Schulz and Jennie Johnson of the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office reported increased resort tax collections in the island cities in August and September.
Schulz and Johnson also discussed collection issues related to online vacation rental websites.
Walter Klages of Data Research Services updated the TDC on the good and the bad of tourism numbers from the recent months and the fiscal year.
“January through August 2016 has been a very positive period of time,” Klages said. “Your local sentiment is even more positive than the national sentiment.”
However, Klages said he and other experts in the field are projecting “softness in the market” at the beginning of 2017.”
Klages said that even if uncertainty grows, the local economy is strong and that bodes well for tourism in this area, including international travelers.
On the condition of the U.S. economy, Klages said, “We continue to be seen as the bulwark of the world’s economy.”
Klages reported numbers were down in August, with occupancy rates dropping 3.4 percent, but total economic impact still showed a 1.8 percent increase. The decrease was partially blamed on natural events, such as the worry about Zika virus and red tide.
Bradenton Beach approves RFP for day dock
Bradenton Beach is one step closer to gaining help with funding to replace the damaged day dock adjacent to the Historic Bridge Street Pier.
At their city meeting Oct. 20, commissioners unanimously approved the request for proposals written by Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale.
As introduced, the RFP requires contractors to show examples of finished projects similar to the day dock. Speciale requested three finished projects for an expanded pool of bidders.
Speciale said the new day dock will be a “floating modular system” — stronger and less likely to incur damage from high tides and rough surf generated by storm events.
Being a modular system, it would be easy to add or replace components like lights and finger docks, Speciale said.
In addition to budgeted community redevelopment agency funding, the city secured a recommendation from the Manatee County Tourist Development Council to county commissioners to match funds — up to $125,000 — for the day dock. Final approval sits with the county board.
Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon said the final budget proposal will be brought to the county by the end of this year or in January 2017, and work on the dock will commence shortly thereafter.
— ChrisAnn Silver Esformes