Manatee County government shared an update Jan. 25 on the newly purchased and newly named Cortez Marina property — formerly the Seafood Shack.
The county announced in a news release that following the Dec. 31, 2024, sale to the county for $13 million by Vandyk Properties, a Canadian-based development company, the landmark restaurant on Sarasota Bay and the surrounding properties on the north side of Cortez Road, plans have been underway to redevelop the site into a modern, resilient marina that will serve the community for years to come.
Tal Siddique, District 3 county commissioner representing AMI, Cortez and northwest Bradenton, said in a Jan. 25 email to The Islander, “I think this will be a great addition to the district. I caution to the public that no design is final and public workshops will be held to gather community input. I am already working on collecting input and advocating for a public website for the project. While not mentioned in the press release, my focus is on bringing a park-and-ride ferry service here to alleviate traffic along Cortez. This will be a long process but I am excited for the opportunities ahead.”
George Kruse, county board chairman and districtwide representative, said he had no comment on the plans, adding, “It speaks for itself.”
To reach Siddique, call 941-392-1740 or email tal@mymanatee.org. Kruse can be reached at 941-713-0225 or george.kruse@mymanatee.org.
Before the acquisition was finalized, Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused extensive damage to the marina, destroying the boat slips, restaurant and bait and tackle shop. Inspections conducted after the storms revealed the structures were beyond repair, with restoration costs exceeding 50% of their pre-damage value, according to the news release.
These findings triggered federal regulations requiring comprehensive redevelopment including provisions under the FEMA 50% rule. Additionally, the property’s location within a flood-surge zone highlights the importance of incorporating resilient design elements into future construction plans.
Manatee County announced it envisions transforming the site into a “vibrant, public-access marina,” featuring:
- New facilities: Construction of updated boat ramps, modern boat slips and a building housing concessions and a shop.
- Enhanced safety standards: Redesigned structures will adhere to current safety codes and be built to withstand risks.
Initially, the county planned to operate the marina during the design phase. However, due to the extensive hurricane damage, priorities have shifted. In the near term, the site will be fenced off for safety and existing structures will be demolished and the property will be prepared for redevelopment.
“The county is dedicated to creating a vibrant marina that honors the property’s legacy while addressing modern needs,” said Manatee County Natural Resources director Charlie Hunsicker. “We are hopeful that this project will also help address the shortage of publicly accessible boat ramps in our county.”
Updates on the redevelopment of the Cortez Marina will be shared as plans progress and public engagement opportunities will be announced soon, a county spokesperson said.
For more information, visit mymanatee.org or call 941-748-4501.