Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Ferries topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
TDC recommends up to $750,000 for water‑ferry design, permitting and pier improvements
Summary
The Tourist Development Council recommended up to $750,000 from TDC funds to support design, permitting and construction documents for multiple dock and landing improvements tied to the county’s water ferry service; county staff said MCAT will assume day‑to‑day oversight Oct. 1 and that passenger counts have already surpassed last year.
The Tourist Development Council on Aug. 18 recommended that staff pursue up to $750,000 in TDC capital for design, permitting and construction documents to expand and improve dock and landing infrastructure for the county’s water ferry service.
Elliot Falcone told the council the ferry has exceeded expectations with daily weekend counts north of 350 passengers and, at times, almost 500; year‑to‑date passenger counts have surpassed last year’s total and exceed 30,000. Falcone said design/permitting work assignments are underway for multiple landing sites, including work tied to the Anna Maria City Pier (an engineering assignment of roughly $238,000 for design, permit and construction documents) and ongoing modifications at the Bradenton Riverwalk Pier.
Falcone requested the TDC recommendation to provide flexibility to pay multiple initial work assignments without repeatedly returning to the council. He characterized the $750,000 figure as “up to” that amount; a first work assignment (design/permitting) would use approximately $230,000 and subsequent assignments would follow as needed. Falcone said the county administration has identified some matching funds and that staff are pursuing grants through MPO and other sources for additional capital.
Operational note: Falcone said Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) will begin day‑to‑day oversight of the ferry service on Oct. 1. Commissioners discussed long‑range needs including sheltered passenger facilities, ADA compliance at Coquina Beach and staging/overnight dock arrangements. TDC members urged planning for expanded ferry capacity and associated shore-side amenities as larger vessels (95‑seat boats) are added.
Concerns and clarifications: Board members asked whether the $238,000 item covers construction costs; Falcone clarified it covers design, permitting and construction documents and that a later construction estimate will follow the design phase. Members also discussed permitting and seagrass/bathymetric questions that will shape final construction scopes.
A motion recommending up to $750,000 for capital work passed unanimously. Falcone said staff will keep the TDC updated and will seek grants and matching funds; the TDC recommendation now goes to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval of expenditures.
