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CRA approves funding application for Rossi Park shades; authorizes contracts to buy Tropicana parcels for affordable housing
Summary
The Bradenton CRA approved a city funding application for sunshades at Rossi Park, and authorized purchase contracts for two Tropicana‑owned land packages — a 2.5‑acre parcel at 1001 Ninth Avenue East and a 15‑parcel group in Central CRA — all subject to due diligence.
The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Bradenton approved three separate items related to parks and property acquisition and passed a consent agenda at the start of the meeting.
Votes at a glance:
- Rossi Park sunshades: The board approved the city administration's interdepartmental funding application to install four sunshade structures on the Rossi Park Forever Lawn and authorized submission of the application so the city may include the project in next fiscal year's budget. The staff estimate for four shades is roughly $211,000; the board motion authorized an amount up to $250,000 for inclusion in the FY 2025–26 budget. Motion carried unanimously.
- 1001 Ninth Avenue East (Tropicana parcel): The CRA authorized execution of a vacant‑land purchase contract with Tropicana Manufacturing Company, Inc. for a parcel described in the presentation as about 2.5 acres at 1001 Ninth Avenue East with a purchase price of $900,000 and an initial deposit of $25,000. The board approved contract execution and instructed staff to proceed with due diligence; the contract includes a 45‑day due‑diligence period during which the CRA may withdraw. The board voted unanimously to authorize the contract. Staff said a Phase I environmental assessment, appraisal and other due diligence would be conducted during that period.
- Central CRA parcel group (15 Tropicana lots): The CRA authorized a separate purchase contract to acquire 15 Tropicana‑owned parcels in the Central CRA for a total purchase price stated as $750,000 with an initial deposit of $15,000; the parcels together total about 2.9 acres and the presentation noted potential for roughly 15 units per acre under proposed zoning adjustments. The board approved execution of that contract unanimously, subject to the same 45‑day due diligence window.
Consent agenda: The meeting opened with a consent agenda (items 4a–4d) that the board approved by motion early in the meeting; the consent vote was recorded as unanimous.
What the approvals mean: CRA staff said the Rossi Park funding application will be transmitted to the city's FY 2025–26 budget process; if council and budget processes approve, funds would be available after October 1. For the land acquisitions, staff emphasized the purchases are intended to support affordable housing objectives (community land trust, partnerships, or future development) and said SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) grants may be used to support homeowner equity. The Tropicana representative present thanked the board for moving the contracts into the due‑diligence period.
Ending: The board approved the items unanimously and directed staff to complete environmental reviews, appraisals and other due diligence during the 45‑day review windows before returning for further direction if necessary.
