Would-be developers make their pitches for Bradenton redevelopment project

City officials, along with the Central Community Redevelopment Agency advisory board, took a closer look on Tuesday at two proposals to once again attempt to develop the Minnie L. Rogers Plaza at the corner of 13th Avenue West and First Street.

Both proposals focused on fulfilling a need for quality groceries in the area, but the path to get there couldn’t be in more contrast.

“We’ve been very intentional in how we delivered another attempt at this and have received distinctly different responses, said KC George, of the National Development Council.

An invitation to bid was sent out in June and two developers and Suncoast Community Capital responded in July. One of the developers failed to meet a deadline to submit more information, leaving SCC and Sarasota-based Beneficial Communities as the two finalists.

Beneficial developer Ken Bowron Jr. acknowledged the challenges of the past, as well as the challenges of the future.

“I know you’ve been down this road before and got super close and it just didn’t come to pass,” said Bowron. “I’m not going to promise you the world. All I can do is tell you we are going to work with you to bring this plaza to fruition.”

Beneficial’s proposal features a grocery store and approximately 90 units of affordable housing.

“You have 8,000 residents in these neighborhoods within a mile of the next store,” he said. “The citizens deserve more than that and it’s an imperative need in that area. How are we going to get it done? It won’t be easy.”

To be paid for, Beneficial’s project would need to qualify for $15 million in tax credits to build the $20 million project. The tax credit process is not only very competitive, but ultimately relies on a lottery system to even be considered. The Florida Housing Corp. funds about 20 projects a year, but submissions number around 200.

SCC Executive Director Tim Dutton brought forth a proposal that would not rely on tax credits, but would likely take just as long. Dutton’s proposal is admittedly, “more conceptual with very little data. It’s more around the ideas of how development can happen.”

Dutton said he doesn’t have a problem with retail grocery store chains, but those stores do not not increase neighborhood economy the same way as his proposal would.

“For every $1 spent on local businesses, 45 cents is invested back into the community,” said Dutton. “For every $1 spent at a corporate-owned business, 15 cents is invested back into the community. That’s an important thing when it comes to family income of the area. All of these things point to job creation and family income when ownership tends to be local.”

The CCRA advisory board scored the two proposals and will make a recommendation to the city council soon. CCRA Chairman Steve Thompson said the CCRA is not giving up on the community dream that began with community meetings in 2006.

The site was once targeted to build the plaza, anchored by a Save-A-Lot grocery store. The process was marred by empty promises from then developer, Wisconsin-based Endeavor Corp., which never followed through with development. The project finally collapsed in January when Endeavor demanded more money from the city, which was rejected.

Dutton’s proposal was praised for thinking outside the box, but after 10 years of trying and four years of empty promises, those involved expressed a sense of urgency to make the grocery store a reality.

Councilman Patrick Roff liked the model, “but I’m not sure this site and this time is something that we have the luxury of having a great experiment.”

This story was originally published September 13, 2016 at 3:21 PM with the headline "Would-be developers make their pitches for Bradenton redevelopment project."