BRADENTON BEACH – Following their approval to draft a contract with Beach to Bay Investments Inc. for a paid parking lot across from the Public Works Department, commissioners postponed a decision on March 7 on a second set of bids for paid parking in multiple city lots.
Request for Proposal (RFP) 2024-04 went out for bid to provide paid parking in areas that included all of Bridge Street, an after-hours parking lot to the east and west side of the police department, the city hall parking lot, the area around the pickleball court on Highland Avenue (with free passes to pickleball players), the shared parking lot with Silver Resorts at First Street North, Gulfside parking spaces near the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge and future options at the Tingley Library, if the building is raised to create parking.
“On Bridge Street, the majority of people parking are employees there and shoppers can’t get a space,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. “The parking near the Moose, those are prime beach spots.”
Perry said two bids were received.
“SP Municipal Services offered a 65/35 split to the city,” Perry said. “The city would receive 65% of net revenue. They haven’t told me costs.”
The second bidder, Beach to Bay Investments Inc., offered three choices. Developer Shawn Kaleta, president of Beach to Bay, is a principal in the recently-approved Bridge Street hotel resort project.
“They recognize they will be having the hotel up and operating with valet service, they would utilize their valet system to get people parked,” Perry said, adding they would provide shuttle and trash services.
Beach to Bay offered three options to the city. All of the options included the bidder taking on all improvement costs.
1) A lump sum payment of $100k per year;
2) An annual payment of $50,000 with 25% of profits;
3) A 50/50 split.
Beach to Bay asked for a 15-year lease term.
“That’s a lot to look at,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said. “I’d like to see more public input.”
Cole said he would like to know more of the operational costs.
“The costs of improvement are the responsibility of Beach to Bay, but will that be part of the profit costs?” Cole asked.
“My understanding is they’re eating that cost up front, but that needs to be fleshed out,” Perry said.
Cole said he would have a difficult time making such a big decision without additional thought and information.
“I think we’re all in agreement to postpone this to flesh out some things,” Mayor John Chappie said.
Commissioner Marilyn Maro, who telephoned into the meeting, spoke in favor of holding a work meeting.
“It’s such a big issue it needs its own one-agenda meeting,” Cole said.
“We will hold the selection of the bidder under 2024-04 in advance and to be considered in a work meeting to be scheduled by the city clerk,” Perry read as a motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
“We are under a cone of silence so the bidders may not communicate or lobby in any way shape or form,” Perry reminded commissioners at the conclusion of the meeting.
