The operator of a new bar at the Bradenton Beach Marina that was shut down in March for lack of permitting is working to get proper approvals in place.
The Bradenton Beach Marina posted on its Facebook page March 25 that the business, 402 Church St., was opening a bar at a dry storage building at the marina, which is owned by developer Shawn Kaleta.
The next day, building official Darin Cushing issued a cease-and-desist order.
Cushing told The Islander April 18 that the review process is in motion for permitting.
“We got an application in, just a couple days ago. I went down there with (the applicant’s) design professional and got the ball rolling,” he said.
Cushing said on April 17 the city building department and the West Manatee Fire Rescue had reviewed the marina’s submitted plans and sent feedback to Kaleta’s people.
“They are in the process, but they don’t have anything for approval yet,” Cushing said.
Meanwhile, the city’s community redevelopment agency members voted April 3 to advance plans for a trail leading south from the Cortez Bridge through the commercial district along the bay to the marina, where the new bar would be in line with plans to convert the marina to an amphitheater and a driveway for food trucks.
Cushing said he had signed the application for the marina’s full liquor license — beer, wine and spirits, package and on-site consumption — but the health department also would need to sign off on it before it could go before the state for consideration.
Cushing wants to remind business owners to make sure they seek permits and application approvals before moving forward on projects and that he is ready to assist.
“I have a fully open door, anytime somebody wants to come in with an idea for a project, come talk to me ahead of time. Do it that way, then you apply and get approval and then you do the work,” Cushing said.