Which multimillion-dollar project is coming to downtown Bradenton? Council has decided
After hearing updated proposals from the developers looking to redevelop the City Hall property, Bradenton officials have made their decision.
City leaders voted to begin negotiations with L&L Development Group, which offered $14.1 million to buy the 4-acre site, demolish the building and develop a hotel, rental apartments, condos and retail space along the Manatee River waterfront.
Bradenton City Council began seriously considering the possibility of selling the building and relocating the government’s operations last year after an appraisal said the land was worth about $10 million.
A nationwide advertisement initially attracted five potential buyers interested in redevelopment, but only two of them made it across the finish line to present their offerings during a public meeting Wednesday evening.
The two developers took turns presenting their project ideas before local leaders began an extended debate. In previous meetings, board members said they would prefer a proposal that fits Bradenton’s small-town feel.
“I think we’re going in the right direction,” Mayor Gene Brown said in an interview Thursday afternoon. “I think they heard what the community said, they addressed it and it’s time to put the pen to paper and confirm all of that.”
However, questions remain about where City Hall will relocate. In recent weeks, Bradenton has narrowed the options down to two sites, but a final decision has not been made.
Bradenton picks preferred City Hall buyer
L&L Development Group, a joint partnership that includes Bradenton-based NDC Construction Company’s Ron Allen, won over city leaders with an updated proposal that incorporated feedback from residents and officials.
The group first presented a 20-story maximum building height, but the updated proposal reduces the height to 17 stories while also lowering the number of condos. L&L offered $14.1 million to purchase City Hall and build a multimillion-dollar development called The Vias, including 348 apartments, a 137-key Marriott AC hotel, 80 condos, a rooftop restaurant and 30,000 square feet of retail space.
“What’s important to us is to create a great, iconic project for Bradenton that brings a sort of vibe and iconic presence to what you already started here,” said Jim Zboril, president and CEO of L&L.
Zboril also explained that L&L is open to modifying its building design, which previously featured two curvy towers inspired by “the breeze” coming off the Manatee River. Design architects presented two less flashy options, noting that the facade could be tweaked even further.
“At the end of the day, we hope you look at us as people who can bring solutions and work with us on this vision that hasn’t been fully baked,” Zboril said. “We’re interested in doing something in Bradenton that will be transformational for years to come.”
The Vias would also tie into the Bradenton Riverwalk, with the public path leading past the prominent oak tree and into the project’s central courtyard.
“We want to create the ability for people to not notice that Riverwalk stops,” said Allen, who described how the Riverwalk walkway would connect to The Vias and encourage pedestrians to visit the retail spaces.
City has backup options
After presentations, City Council voted to rank the proposals in numerical order. L&L will be the first to negotiate contract terms with city officials. If the deal falls apart for some reason, Bradenton leaders will move on to the next proposal.
Red Apple Real Estate was named as the second preference. While the New York-based company didn’t present a design drawing of its proposal in January, the company impressed board members with their follow-up.
With a $12.75 million purchase offer, the company plans to build 95 condos, between 340 and 440 apartment units and 30,000 square feet of retail space.
The company presented a general sketch of how the buildings might look and also noted that they would make key design decisions with input from city leaders.
“We did not show up with a fancy rendering because we believe the design of this building should be informed with community discussions,” said Kevin King, Red Apple’s director of business development.
Silver Hills, an Ohio-based apartment developer, placed third on the city’s list and did not attend Wednesday’s meeting. In an April 5 email to city administration, the company declined to modify its initial proposal to build an eight-story apartment complex with 350 units.
Pointing to the results of a recent market study, Bradenton leaders said they would prefer to see a mix of uses on the property.
Residents react
Both proposals were met with mixed reactions from residents and local organizations. During public comment, more than a dozen people shared their thoughts. Seven people spoke in favor of redevelopment while five urged the board to hold off on the sale.
Local business groups, including the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, threw their support behind the redevelopment of the City Hall property, pointing to the economic growth it would create downtown.
“We believe that the city of Bradenton has a unique opportunity for the redevelopment of the current City Hall, auditorium and police department site in a way that will not just enhance the downtown but our entire region,” said Jacki Dezelski, president and CEO of the Manatee Chamber. “We encourage you to take the city of Bradenton and its downtown core to the next level.”
“We believe this decision presents an opportunity to bring energy, spur economic growth downtown and provide even more jobs downtown as well,” added Max Brandow, vice president of advocacy and member programs with the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. “I think the projects we saw earlier are just what downtown needs.”
Others said they looked forward to the expansion of entertainment options in downtown Bradenton.
“I do feel that this is well overdue,” said Lori Diamant, a Bradenton resident. “We want Bradenton to be a place you go to, not a place you go through, so I think this would be a very good, energy-bringing project.”
“We are looking so forward to this next phase of our growth downtown. Having residents downtown, another hotel downtown, is only going to benefit everybody that’s on (Old) Main Street as we see it right now,” said Cork Miller, owner of Cork’s Cigar Bar.
But some residents pushed back on the idea of even considering the sale of City Hall, arguing that the publicly owned land should remain under the government’s control. Among the critics was former Councilman Bill Sanders, who questioned how the city will pay for the relocation of government and police services.
“I think we do have the cart in front of the horse. We don’t know how we’re going for this,” said Sanders, who also suggested that the decision to sell could have political implications. “If you push this through, you will be a one-term mayor.”
Other residents also raised questions about the cost of relocation. In response, former City Administrator Carl Callahan spoke during public comment to share figures estimating that the proposed development would generate $42 million in tax revenue over the next 10 years.
What happens next?
Bradenton officials said they were excited to turn the City Hall property into an attraction that benefits the entire downtown area.
“Bradenton has always been the red-headed stepchild around here,” Councilwoman Jayne Kocher said. “Best in class, that’s what I want to see. I think we deserve it.”
The board directed City Administrator Rob Perry to begin negotiations with L&L Development Group, but certain terms, such as the purchase price and the design of the proposed buildings, have not been finalized.
However, some board members said they would prefer a tall, high-density development.
“If you don’t have height, you’re going to have rooftops from here to Arcadia, solid,” said Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey, who noted that she isn’t sure which building height is right for Bradenton. “So in an urban core where you have an ability to do something with height, that’s something to consider.”
“I don’t want to be afraid to get a little taller. I think we can take a little bit of height. I really do. We’re not Sarasota. We’re not Miami, but a little bit of height would increase the density and make a better project downtown,” added Kocher.
Perry said he plans to begin negotiating with L&L soon. A final sale contract could be presented to the board within the next 60 days, he said.
City Council also plans to hold additional public meetings to determine where the government headquarters will relocate in the coming weeks.
This story was originally published April 13, 2023 at 3:25 PM.
