ANNA MARIA – The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mote Marine education outreach center on the City Pier remains on track for Friday, May 5.
The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in City Pier Park, across the street from the pier, and be followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the pier entrance.
During the April 13 city commission meeting, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said invitations were sent to Anna Maria city commissioners and other city and county officials.
Murphy expects the ceremony to last approximately 45 minutes. After the mayor’s introductory remarks, Mote Marine President and CEO Dr. Michael Crosby will speak. Some of the attending city and county officials may also make brief remarks.
Portions of Pine Avenue, North Bay Boulevard and South Bay Boulevard will be closed during the ceremony.
The grand opening ceremony is open to the public and the Mote Marine education outreach center will open to the public right after the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Featuring live and virtual marine life exhibits, the outreach center will then be open daily at no cost to the public.
At the recommendation of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council, the Manatee County Commission provided $500,000 in county funds for the interior buildout of the city building and the installation of the Mote Marine exhibits. Mote Marine is leasing the city building rent-free but will operate and staff the outreach center at its own expense.
“This has been a long, long, long, long, long time coming. We’re finally here,” Murphy said. “We’re at the cusp of opening it up and I’m really excited. I think it’s going to bring a lot to the city in terms of education. When we pursued this, it was about awareness and education.”
Murphy referenced the commission discussions and public debate that ensued in 2020 and 2021 and pertained to whether the larger of the two city-owned pier buildings should be leased to a full-service restaurant operator or be used for some other purpose. After multiple efforts to secure a restaurant operator fell short, the commission majority decided to pursue the Mote Marine facility instead.
“Do we have hamburgers or do we have knowledge? We opted for knowledge,” Murphy said of that decision-making process.
Commissioner Robert Kingan noted the city actually got both because the smaller pier building is already leased to the operators of the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop.
Kingan said he visited the pier facility the previous day and saw workers installing the backgrounds and displays associated with the live and virtual exhibits.
“I think it’s going to be a resounding success,” Kingan said.
“It’s all about public awareness and knowledge and research. The pier is the jewel of this city and has been for over 100 years. We’re dedicating it to science and research and knowledge about the environment and clean water,” Murphy said.
Commissioner Jon Crane said, “I, for one, am absolutely thrilled.”
“It’s exciting for it to finally be open,” Commissioner Deanie Sebring added.
