Anna Maria’s pier plans have moved to the front burner.
And Mote Marine Laboratory is included.
“I’m thrilled that Mote is working with Anna Maria to create this educational center,” Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore said Oct. 15. “This is exactly what we need on the island.”
In September, Anna Maria commissioners agreed to a lease for a Mote’s outreach center at the city pier.
At their Oct. 12 meeting, the Manatee board of commissioners approved $500,000 in resort tax funding from the Tourist Development Council budget.
Mayor Dan Murphy has worked out the dollars and details with Mote CEO Michael Crosby and Kevin Cooper, Mote’s vice president of communications and strategic initiatives, for the 1,800 square-foot building at the T-end of the pier that will house the center.
During the city commission meeting Oct. 14, Murphy said the next step, following review by city staff, will be a presentation of the plans and approval by the commissioners.
“If the plans are denied, the deal is off with Mote,” Murphy said during the meeting, adding that if Mote is not willing to provide drywall and air-conditioning for the space, the deal might not coalesce.
“The purpose here is checks and balances,” he said.
A date to begin the buildout on the pier at 100 S. Bay Blvd. is not established, but the mayor said he would be meeting with Mote representatives within the next two weeks.
“We are excited to work on this opportunity,” Murphy told the Islander Oct. 14. “This will be a wonderful benefit for our community and visitors.”