Bradenton council clears design work to consolidate public works at former Tropicana site; council approves temporary relocation plan

Bradenton’s City Council on Nov. 12 authorized staff to move forward with design development, procurement and funding scenarios for a consolidated public‑works campus on the 32‑acre site adjacent to the former Tropicana property.

Staff described a two‑phase plan: a near‑term temporary build‑out (a low‑impact parking and staging area plus fabric shelters and a temporary office) to relocate solid‑waste operations so City Park construction can proceed, and a longer‑term permanent campus housing fleet maintenance bays, a central operations center, purchasing/warehouse space and covered equipment storage. The plan emphasizes preserving permitted stormwater flows, minimizing railroad/CSX permitting impacts and capping or containing limited contamination in the solid‑waste area under a DEP brownfield designation.

Architects and engineers outlined stormwater approaches (bioswales, ponds) and a geogrid stabilized‑stone parking system to meet DEP thresholds that allow a reduced permitting path for the temporary yard. Project team members said initial temporary relocation work was budgeted in the current fiscal plan (roughly $1.1–1.3 million referenced during discussion) and that a full build‑out could range between $45 million and $55 million depending on value engineering and phasing.

Council approved a motion authorizing the city administrator to advance project design, permitting and CMAR procurement and to prepare funding scenarios. Council voted 5‑0.

What’s next: staff will proceed with schematic/design development, continue environmental permitting and return with a phased funding plan and refined cost estimates to be included in the next budget cycle.