They give, then they take away

Temporary barges are stationed in Tampa Bay Jan. 26. The state provided the barges to aid in hurricane recovery, according to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Elliott Falcione. In a Jan. 20 email, he said the county “wanted to keep the barges in place until the mid-section of the Anna Maria Pier was replaced but the rental cost of the barges was approximately $500k per month.” The barges would have provided a landing for the Gulf Islands Ferry in Anna Maria, but the ferry will traverse from downtown Bradenton to Bradenton Beach for now. Islander Photo: Jacob Merrifield