By Ryan Paice and Lisa Neff
Islander Staff
Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry service is set to expand with the addition of a third, larger vessel this summer.
But some changes — such as a new pier to serve Anna Maria — might be needed to accommodate the growing service.
The county tourist development council voted Feb. 24 to recommend county commissioners allocate $570,000 in tourist tax revenues to support the expansion.
The service currently consists of two open-air 49-passenger catamarans operated Thursday-Sunday by Clearwater-based Gulf Coast Water Taxi between downtown Bradenton and the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach.
County commissioners voted last summer to approve $3 million for the construction of a 91-passenger vessel. With 67 enclosed seats, the vessel also will protect against weather conditions.
Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, an agency of the TDC, said he hoped to have the third ferry on the water this summer.
The $570,000 will help fund the vessel’s operation and accommodations, including:
- $350,000 for operating and insuring the third ferry;
- $120,000 for overnighting the third ferry in downtown Bradenton;
- Up to $100,000 to partner with Bradenton Beach to enhance the pier’s dock.
Falcione also said the ferry service needs more docking points.
“We’re trying to bring the ferry down to Coquina Beach sooner than later,” he said during the TDC meeting at Bradenton City Hall. “We’re working on bringing it to the Palmetto Estuary sooner than later.”
Falcione said he and Holmes Beach officials also are working to establish a stop in that city, possibly at the Kingfish Boat Ramp on Manatee Avenue.
And the county is hoping to bring the ferry back to Anna Maria.
The city pier was one of the original three ferry stops but Hurricane Milton destroyed its walkway last October.
The service then docked at temporary barges provided by the state to aid in hurricane recovery but they were removed in January.
The city is working to rebuild the city pier, but to accommodate the larger ferry the county also proposed the construction of a new pier between the city pier and the Lake La Vista inlet to the north.
Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short discussed the proposal Feb. 27 with city commissioners.
The new pier would run about half the length of the roughly 800-foot-long city pier and be accessible from the same parking lot.
The pier would feature a double gangway dock structure and a wave attenuator to calm the waters around the landing area.
The proposal also includes the extension of the Lake La Vista inlet’s northern jetty.
Short said county staff was working on options for landing the third ferry and the proposed pier was the first to be presented.
He added that the city would hold a forum to discuss the proposal.
The city commission will meet next at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 13, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.