Mote Marine Laboratory may have but one last chance to convince Anna Maria officials its proposed educational outreach center at the city pier is worth the wait.
City commissioners unanimously voted April 14 to schedule an emergency meeting for Mote to present plans for the outreach center and to either void the lease agreement or extend the timeline.
Mote agreed Sept. 30, 2021, to lease the empty 1,800-square-foot empty building at the T-end of the Anna Maria City Pier for an education center that would attract residents and visitors to learn about the area’s water and marine life.
The agreement allows the city to void the lease or grant an extension if Mote did not complete the build-out within 180 days, which ended March 29.
As of April 15, Mote had not provided the city with plans and was much less prepared for construction.
Mayor Dan Murphy was the first of the city officials to voice his disappointment with Mote’s failure to deliver its plans for the outreach center.
He said he spoke the night before with Mote president and CEO Michael Crosby, who said Mote had all the information needed to complete a detailed plan and that its latest delay was on the shoulders of architect Barron Schimberg.
Murphy told commissioners they had two options: Vote to end the lease agreement or allow Mote one last week to provide plans, then vote to extend or void the contract.
He recommended they choose the second option but added that he wanted “substantive” plans from Mote, including start and end dates for the build-out.
Commissioner Mark Short said he would support Murphy’s recommendation but expressed concern.
“It’s been one reason or another,” Short said. “We’re really talking about a non-delivery of something that was committed to last September.”
“I’m getting a really bad taste in my mouth,” Commissioner Deanie Sebring agreed. “I have no faith left in them.”
Commissioner Jonathan Crane said he still had high hopes for the project, which he said could be a “real jewel.” He supported giving Mote another week.
Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who represents Anna Maria Island, spoke at the meeting in support of Mote’s proposed center during public comment.
“I’m fully supportive of the project,” Van Ostenbridge said. “I think it will be worth the wait.”
Crane moved to approve Murphy’s recommendation.
Robert Kingan seconded the motion, which passed.
The meeting is Friday, April 22 — with no time certain as of press time — at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. The meeting will be open to the public.