Some commercial buildings at the Gulf Drive entrance to Bridge Street look a mess.
And Bradenton Beach officials want improvements.
In the meantime, the city erected a fence to hide the derelict buildings during “Holidays in Paradise.” The public-private celebration along Bridge Street began Nov. 19 and continues through Dec. 31.
According to the Manatee County Property Appraisers website, the property is owned by 205 Sycamore LLC, which lists Shawn Kaleta and Najmy Thompson PL as corporate officers.
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said during a meeting about a month ago that he intended to reach out to Kaleta, owner/ manager of 900-plus rental units on Anna Maria Island, about 101 Bridge St.
At the time, the city and Bridge Street merchants were preparing for holiday events and Chappie said he wanted the area beautified for the celebrations.
More recently, the city installed $300 in construction fencing and landscaping to shield the property.
Meanwhile, plans have been submitted by Kaleta and Najmy Thompson PL to the building and permitting office for a resort at 101 Bridge St. and some surrounding properties.
The properties in addition to 101 Bridge St.., include 106 Third St. S., currently a rental home; 105 Bridge St. Apt. 1, which previously housed Island Time Inn; and 219 Gulf Drive S., previously Joe’s Eats and Sweets, all owned or leased by Kaleta and Najmy Thompson.
Other potential properties in the redevelopment project include 108 Third St. S., 110 Third St. S. Unit W, 112 Third St. S. and 117 Bridge St., all of which are registered to Bridge Street Bazaar Inc., owned by Commissioner Jake Spooner.
Spooner told The Islander Nov. 23, “I would welcome a responsible redevelopment of the buildings that would enhance the community of Bradenton Beach.”
Kaleta submitted to the city conceptual drawings for a 103-room, 206,987-square-foot resort referred to in a design document as “Bridge St. Hotel.”
“We received a very preliminary set of conceptual drawings a number of months ago for a mixed-use hotel and retail building on this property,” building official Steve Gilbert wrote in a Nov. 7 email to The Islander.
Gilbert said the city received plans in August and the list of work to get to the building application stage is long, including flood design, elevations, parking, traffic patterns, setbacks, etc., as well as an easement.
The Islander reached out Nov. 23 to Louis Najmy of the Najmy Thompson law firm by phone for comment but, as of Islander press time, no response was received.
Shawn Kaleta also did not comment, but when reached Nov. 25, said he was traveling.