AM Mote educational center opens soon

The doors of Mote Marine Laboratory’s educational outreach center on the Anna Maria City Pier, which has been in the works for almost two years, will open to the public for the first time later this week. A grand-opening ceremony for the outreach center will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, May 5, at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., and feature speeches from Mayor Dan Murphy and Mote president and CEO Dr. Michael Crosby. That will be followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the pier, after which people will be allowed a first look and tour of the outreach center. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice