Bradenton officials consider new deal for RiverSong developer's lack of progress for a new restaurant

BRADENTON -- It's been more than a year since the RiverSong Apartments, built on city-owned land at 606 Third Ave. W., opened its doors to its first residents.

Within 90 days of receiving a certificate of occupancy, the development agreement with the city called for the construction of a new restaurant on a nearby city-owned parcel. The lot remains empty, however, and some city officials are growing impatient with an unkept promise.

"If a restaurant is not the right deal, then we should consider the options for those responsible to come in and contribute to the neighborhood

in an equal dollar amount," said city council member Bemis Smith.

The 179-unit RiverSong Apartments was purchased from the original developer, Atlanta-based Hatfield Development, by New York-based Beachworld Residential for $31.5 million in July.

However, remnants of Hatfield's development group, Bradenton Riverfront Partners, which includes the Randall Benderson trust, Bradenton-based NDC Construction and attorney Ed Vogler, control the 99-year lease on the city-owned land signed specifically for the construction of the restaurant.

"They still very much want to do a restaurant," said City Clerk Carl Callahan. "But do you force it? That's probably not a good idea to force someone into something when there may not be a market for it."

Vice Mayor Gene Gallo said he doesn't believe there isn't a market for it considering the number of residents, the nearby Manatee Peforming Arts Center and the number of people who visit Riverwalk. Smith said whether a restaurant is built or not, the developer needs to be held to the agreement in some form.

"If we don't want to force them to do the restaurant then OK, but they have a commitment in how to make the area better," he said.

While Hatfield is out of the picture, Bradenton Riverfront Partners remains on the hook for the restaurant. City officials want to reach an amicable solution to what is essentially a violated development agreement.

Vogler said there has been no discussion regarding any new arrangements and as of now, "We are committed to doing the restaurant and finding the right operator and bringing that forward as soon as possible. The capital requirements are very expensive for a new restaurant. To build one from the ground up is daunting to operators, but we continue to work with them and try and locate a great operator on that site in a way that it will succeed."

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

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 10:53 PM with the headline "Bradenton officials consider new deal for RiverSong developer's lack of progress for a new restaurant ."