HOLMES BEACH – City leaders on Anna Maria Island are planning to present plans to Manatee County commissioners in hopes of using excess beach concession funds for projects in each city.
To access the funds, elected officials in each city have to present projects that benefit tourism and visitors on the Island, the officials in each city must agree to the projects and the projects and funding have to be approved by county commissioners.
Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said that the fund has grown to more than $300,000. Now, each city is putting forth its own list of projects.
In Anna Maria, city leaders are seeking a 50/50 match in the amount of $115,250
to get an engineered permanent solution to issues causing the Lake LaVista Channel to become unnavigable. The channel provides access to kayak and paddleboard launches, a landing dock for visitors coming to the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum, a launching point for commercial nature tours and boater access. City leaders estimate that the development of a design along with permitting will cost $230,500, excluding construction.
In Bradenton Beach, officials are asking for $105,000 for a 50% match to improve public beach and bay access points, including additional pavers, signage, bike racks, benches, trash containers and pedestrian and bicycle path improvements.
Holmes Beach city leaders voted unanimously on Oct. 11 to request $105,000 in funding for low-level LED lighting for trolley shelters along with rebuilding five trolley shelters and replacing two. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $210,000. The concession funds would provide a 50/50 funding match.
Titsworth warned commissioners that “time is of the essence” in requesting funding as Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes has set his sights on the excess concession funds as a potential source of monies for a proposed water taxi service from downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island.
