A proposal to dedicate more money to the finger dock expansion at the Historic Bridge Street Pier was floated June 15.
And it gained buoyancy, as Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency members voted to increase spending authorization for the project at the city pier, 200 Bridge St.
Duncan Seawall is the contractor at the pier, where the city also is planning to provide a landing area for Manatee County’s water taxi, expected to launch later this summer.
The CRA, overseen by a board that includes the mayor, commissioners and two appointed members, is funding the project.
Scheduled for completion by June 30, the finger dock will have 26 spaces, where there were seven, and provide better access to Bradenton Beach by boat.
Duncan had submitted an invoice to the CRA for $18,611 to replace floats at the west end of the floating dock. To install the floats, crews must remove decking and then replace it after installing the floats.
There also is a need to add two extra pilings to the dock, estimated to cost $3,900.
City attorney Ricinda Perry suggested the CRA increase the payment beyond the invoiced amount.
She told the CRA she’d visited the dock, as had public works director Tom Woodard, police Chief John Cosby and Mayor John Chappie to check for potential safety issues.
“We wanted to make sure that everything safety-wise is up where it needs to be,” Perry said.
“This is where the large ferry is going to be coming in and landing and this is where the ADA ramp is currently located. The county is potentially improving on that section. So we just wanted to make sure everything is as secure and safe as possible,” Perry added.
CRA member Ed Chiles, who owns the Beachhouse Restaurant in Bradenton Beach, motioned to approve a change order for Duncan up to $36,000 with 50% of the cost to be submitted for reimbursement from tourist development council funds.
The motion was seconded by Chappie and passed 5-0.
Marilyn Maro and Jan Vosburgh were absent with excuses.
About the CRA
The Bradenton Beach CRA funds capital improvement projects to promote restoration, growth and tourism in the district.
The district, bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico, was deemed blighted in 1992, allowing for incremental tax revenue to promote restoration and growth, including tourism.
The next CRA meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.