BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) is getting closer to completing several improvements sought for its Bradenton Beach Pier-based restaurant operations.
On July 20, the Bradenton Beach City Commission approved the request made by the AMOB ownership group, We’re Back Inc., to remove and replace several sabal palm and black olive trees currently located in the city-owned pier parking lot.
The AMOB ownership group had hoped to replace the existing trees with taller maypan coconut palm trees, but due to liability concerns, the city commission stipulated no trees from which coconuts could drop are allowed in the public parking lot at the foot of the pier. The commission also stipulated the removed trees must be replanted or replaced in other locations on a one-to-one basis.
This crab trap-themed fence in south Florida inspired the decorative fence desired by the AMOB ownership group. – We’re Back Inc. | Submitted
Building Official Steve Gilbert said the installation of a decorative crab trap-themed fence that will replace the existing chain link fence between the city-owned parking lot and the Pines Trailer Park remains on hold until the fire marshal reviews and approves the potential fire risk posed by the wooden crab trap fence facade.
The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) previously agreed to contribute $30,000 toward the $60,000 fence installation. The CRA anticipates recouping $15,000 of that contribution from Manatee County as part of the recently completed floating dock expansion project for which the county is providing 50% in matching funds for the total project costs.
Gilbert also said he still needs to review the diagrams needed to issue a conditional use permit previously approved by the city commission. The conditional use permit will allow alcoholic beverages purchased from AMOB to be consumed only on the pier, where alcoholic beverages have historically been prohibited.
The commission-approved to-go food kiosk and service bar recently installed in an adjacent auxiliary building that AMOB leases from the city is ready for use but was not yet in operation at week’s end.
Three new umbrella-covered tables have been temporarily installed along the pier entrance railing south of the main restaurant building. Those tables will eventually be replaced by permanent tiki hut-covered tables.
AMOB CEO John Horne told The Sun he planned to meet with Mayor John Chappie on Monday, July 24 to further discuss AMOB’s desired improvements and implementation timelines.
