Bradenton's Glazier-Gates Park will be relocated; foes promise to file lawsuit

BRADENTON -- The Bradenton City Council voted 4-0 Monday night in the absence of Ward 4 Councilman Bemis Smith, who was unable to attend, to approve the special area plan for the Villages at Riverwalk development, which includes the relocation of Glazier-Gates Park in a land-swap deal.

Smith successfully lobbied to beef up a stipulation for the developers despite being unable to attend the meeting.

Initially, the developer pledged $150,000 toward reconstruction of the park, which will be relocated from its Manatee Avenue East location north to Riverside Drive East along the Manatee River. Smith's stipulation, accepted by the developer and the council, will have the developer pay $650,000.

The additional $500,000 will go toward enhancements at Mineral Springs Park and construction of a connectivity trail to the eventual expansion area of Riverwalk before construction of the development begins.

Atlanta-based Hatfield Development Co. also previously agreed to build sidewalks and lighting on all public streets within the project, repave Fourth Street East, rebuild a failing city lift station and repair and relocate all existing park equipment.

Attorney Ed Vogler leads the local development team consisting of NDC Construction and ZNS Engineering. Vogler said the developer will ensure at least one public town hall meeting takes place for residents to have input on what the new park will look like.

"We think that is a very fine package of commitments," said Vogler.

Councilmembers said the decision was not an easy one. Ward 3 Councilman Patrick Roff said: "One should always explain a difficult vote and this is, indeed, a difficult vote for me."

Roff said he would prefer the park remain.

"But I don't always get what I want up here," Roff said. "It's not a matter of what I want, it's a matter of what's best for the city. This project is a good project. I wish I could build four of them in Ward 3."

Ward 5 Councilman Harold Byrd Jr. praised the public participation, which made the decision difficult. Byrd said the deciding factor is the developer has development rights on the old Riveria Southshore project already approved for nine-story condominiums. Hatfield purchased the surrounding property out of foreclosure late last year for $4 million, and retained all development rights that came with it.

Opposition will continue

Stone Soup Community Unity President Kim Youngshepherd led the movement opposing the park move. Youngshepherd had one thing to say following Monday's approval: "We're going to court."

Former Bradenton Beach city attorney Ralf Brookes, representing Stone Soup, said he would discuss "legal remedies with my clients and we have 30 days to decide to go to court."

Brookes has said the city is violating its comprehensive plan, which states a park cannot be diverted unless there is overriding public interest.

"There is no such public interest here," said Brookes.

City attorney Bill Lisch told the Bradenton Herald prior to Monday's meeting there "are all kinds of exceptions" in the comprehensive plan and expressed confidence the city is exercising legal rights.

The opposition was joined by Manatee County Commissioner Charles Smith.

"I am stunned at what I'm hearing," Smith said. "There is not one person here who is opposed to development. They are opposed to not getting due process."

Smith said the developer is "dangling stuff in front of you to make this work. I ask you to reconsider. Slow down the process for more community involvement, but do not support what's being asked tonight."

Villages at Riverwalk is a 521-unit rental development designed to be built in three phases. The first phase will be constructed on the current site of Glazier-Gates Park. The new park, and now the Mineral Springs Park improvements must be completed before the development can begin.

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter@urbanmark2014.

This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 9:42 PM with the headline "Bradenton's Glazier-Gates Park will be relocated; foes promise to file lawsuit ."