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Longboat Key and Manatee County discuss North End community center; county open to purchase of Childs property
Summary
Longboat Key commissioners and residents pressed for a North End community center and presented a partially renovated Childs property (about 1.5 acres) as a likely site; county commissioners signaled support for acquisition discussions and said they prefer ownership over leasing Whitney Plaza after storm damage.
Longboat Key officials and North End residents urged Manatee County to help secure a dedicated community space for the island’s north end and identified a partially renovated Childs property — an approximately 1.5‑acre parcel with a small existing building and parking — as a leading candidate.
Town Manager Howard Tipton and town staff described the need: older condominium buildings on the North End lack meeting rooms and the community lost its prior art center; residents and a neighborhood group called North End Space (Nest) have worked on concepts for programming. Commissioners and the public said the property could meet near‑term needs and potentially be expanded over time; attendees also noted prior county conversations about leasing Whitney Plaza fell through after storm damage and the county later ended that agreement.
County commissioners expressed general support for pursuing a county‑owned community facility rather than repeated long‑term leasing. A county commissioner noted the asking price for the Childs property likely falls in the mid‑single‑digit millions and said the county will continue discussions with town staff, legal and finance to assess acquisition, parking, programming and long‑term maintenance. No formal purchase authorization or funding commitment was made at the meeting.
Why it matters: the North End has an active civic network and residents emphasized local gathering space for recreation and community programming; a county‑owned facility would provide a stable public asset rather than a lease subject to private ownership and storm vulnerabilities.
Next steps: county and town staff will continue negotiations and technical review of the Childs property and other potential sites; commissioners encouraged staff to return with detailed proposals and budgets for board consideration.
