Nearly two years after Bradenton Beach commissioners approved the Bridge Street Resort, a 106-room mixed-use development to anchor the commercial district, the project remains at a standstill.
During an Oct. 23 city meeting update about construction projects in the city, Police Chief John Cosby said the project appeared “dead in the water.”
On Oct, 24, Cosby told The Islander that based on third-party information the resort project had stalled: “It’s our understanding from third-party individuals that the hotel is on the back burner and one of the major investors has pulled out. So, what that in turn does is the PUD then collapses … and that will return to the original ownership.”
The city in December 2023 approved planned urban development spanning a southwest block of Bridge Street.
Early designs showed a 206,987-square-foot complex with three floors of hotel rooms, retail, a lobby and lounge, offices and a coffee bar.
The project area encompasses multiple parcels, including 101 Bridge St., 106 Third St. S., 105 Bridge St. and 219 Gulf Drive S. Property records show those parcels are owned by 205 Sycamore LLC, Tampa Bayshore Trust LLC and Bridge Street Resort LLC — all list developer Shawn Kaleta as the registered agent.
Another parcel, 201 Gulf Drive S. the former site of Joe’s Eats and Sweets, is owned by AMI Plaza LLC, which lists William Saba as the registered agent.
The remaining parcels within the proposed resort footprint — 108 Third St. S., 110 Third St. S., 112 Third St. S. and 117 Bridge St. are owned by Bridge Street Bazaar Inc., which lists former Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jake Spooner as the registered agent. None of Spooner’s properties have been demolished and the businesses continue to operate.
On Oct. 27, Spooner responded to The Islander that he had not withdrawn from the project.
A paid parking lot opened in January 2024 in place of the demolished buildings.
The city authorized a temporary 32-space lot under the site’s planned-development designation for the resort, with the understanding the lot would be temporary while planning for the hotel was underway.
In May, the development Beach to Bay, which manages the parking lot, asked the city for relief from construction timelines due to delays and financial impacts from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
On Sept. 19, the city extended the temporary use permit for paid parking through Sept. 19, 2026.
As of Oct. 23, city officials reported no building activity or permit applications, leaving the high-profile redevelopment sitting in park.
Sam Negrin of Pines Park Investors declined to comment.