Mote Marine Laboratory has the green light to begin construction on an educational outreach center for the Anna Maria City Pier.
But it may find it has little leeway for mistakes, given city officials’ frustrations with past delays.
Mayor Dan Murphy emailed city commissioners and local press Dec. 16 to announce the city had received bond documentation from Mote that morning — the last item needed for a building permit.
“It has been reviewed and approved by the city clerk and city attorney. The building permit for construction has been issued,” Murphy wrote.
Mote reached a contract with the city in September 2021 to lease the 1,800-square-foot empty building on the T-end to house the center, including a handful of live exhibits, interactive exhibits and a livestream display of waters beneath the pier.
But Mote failed to meet the city’s initial March 29 deadline, although city commissioners voted in April to extend the contract through March 1, 2023, with several new deadlines.
City commissioners then voted Nov. 10 to authorize the city’s building department to execute a construction permit for Mote’s proposed outreach center.
However, Mote took more than a month to deliver the required bond documents
Murphy said he had been prepared to present a “doom-and-gloom report” to the commission about the situation but spoke earlier that day to Mote president and CEO Dr. Michael Crosby, who assured him the bond would be delivered — and it was.
Murphy added that Crosby told him some of the displays that will be used at the outreach center were being built off-site to expedite construction, which he said could be completed by the end of March.
“I’m optimistic and will take him at his word until proven otherwise,” Murphy said.
Nevertheless, several city commissioners expressed frustration with Mote.
Commissioner Jonathan Crane said he has been a “strong supporter” of the project but is concerned with Mote’s “cavalier attitude” toward the city.
“Hopefully, that wrinkle will iron out but it is annoying,” he said.
Commissioner Deanie Sebring said if Mote were to present its proposal again, she’d “probably” change her mind.
“I feel like a red-headed stepchild,” Sebring said. “They’re only interested in what they’re building in Sarasota. … I feel like we’re getting shafted.”
Commission Chair Mark Short said he reread Mote’s lease for the T-end building and the bond requirement was clearly established, so it should have been no surprise for the nonprofit.
Former Commissioner Brian Seymour, owner of the Anna Maria General Store, 503 Pine Ave., and the City Pier Grill & Bait Shoppe on the pier, also voiced frustration.
“I support Mote fully but I just wish this had happened already,” Seymour said. “I want it to happen. We need it to happen. We’ve been open two years with no support out there, or another reason for people to come and visit.
“They were in such a hurry to eliminate our storage space in August and it’s now December,” he added.
With the construction permit in hand, Mote has until Dec. 23 to begin work on the pier or risk violating contractual deadlines.
In other matters…
City commissioners:
- Unanimously voted to approve an ordinance decreasing the number of planning and zoning board members from five-seven to three-five, with two alternate members allowed to vote in cases of full-time member absences;
- Unanimously voted to approve a $4,567.50 contract with CivicPlus to create a new municipal website and mobile application;
- Unanimously voted to approve a consent agenda, including authorization for the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with Manatee County providing $10,560 to assist with the cost of providing law enforcement services for Bayfront Park, which is operated by the county.
The commission’s next meeting will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.
Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at cityofannamaria.com.