Details emerge after Bradenton hastily OKs Villages at Riverwalk development agreement
The fast-tracked development agreement between the City of Bradenton and the developer-builder team of Atlanta-based Hatfield Development Co. and NDC Construction shows the magnitude of the just-proposed Villages at Riverwalk, covering 21 acres between Manatee Avenue and Riverside Drive east.
In documents obtained by the Bradenton Herald last week, the developers outline plans for a retail-living-working project. The city will grant an easement to the developer to improve a portion of the riverfront property for public docks, gazebos and "other improvements" intended to increase public access to the Manatee River, the agreement states. The design and construction will be paid for by the developer using city-approved materials.
The conceptual project calls for a 490-unit apartment and townhouse, and includes a 4,750 square-foot leasing office, 6,300 square-foot living-work area and 9,000 square feet of retail space. But the agreement states that if the developer cannot lease the retail space within three years, the developer retains the right, "Without further approval," to convert the commercial space into additional residential space.
The development agreement replaces the controversial Riviera Southshore condominium project proposed in the early 2000s. That project was foreclosed on by property owner Wells Fargo when the economy dampened in 2007. The project received mostly praise from city officials, but the process of pushing the project through has drawn harsh criticism.
Failure to communicate
City officials on Wednesday walked a thin line of the Florida's Sunshine in the Government law by adding the development agreement to their agenda less than 24 hours before the meeting and taking action on the item. The decision to do so goes against a Florida Attorney General recommendation that no formal action be taken under such circumstances.
The conceptual development agreement was approved in a 4-1 vote, with Vice Mayor Bemis Smith dissenting and expressing outrage over a process lacking public input. He represents residents who live within the proposed development site.
Jackie Atwood and her neighbors live directly within the area that is proposed for relocating Glazier Gates Park, which would put their homes directly within the park. She is concerned about privacy issues and a possible eminent domain attempt by the city, which also plans to expand Riverwalk directly in front of her house.
Atwood, who objected to the council taking action Wednesday, asked for another motion to ensure the city would not pursue eminent domain in the future. But Mayor Wayne Poston said such a motion would do no good because a future city council could easily override it.
An emotional Atwood told the Herald on Friday that she is left feeling very uneasy and uncertain about the future of her home.
"I'm in utter shock that they would do this to people, and they ought to be ashamed of themselves," said Atwood. "I understand they have a right to develop their property, but they don't have the right to set up citizens who have lived here for 21 years for eminent domain. I can't believe they would sneak something this big through the community."
Atwood and her neighbors were supposed to be contacted by representatives of developer Robert Hatfield, NDC Construction project manager Ron Allen and their representing attorney Edward Vogler II prior to Wednesday's meeting. Vogler said residents were contacted, but they contend they were not.
As of Friday, and despite it being "strongly suggested" by Ward 1 Councilman Gene Gallo that the developer open a line of communication with the residents, Atwood maintains that she has still not been contacted and that her neighbors are saying the same.
"We believe there has been some outreach, but I know there will be significantly more outreach in the future," Vogler said Friday. "This was only the first step of relationship building and everyone on our team will work carefully and cooperatively with the affected neighbors."
Vogler said the development agreement was needed to give the developer and builder confidence to move forward with the purchase of the property from Wells Fargo. The cost won't be disclosed until after the sale, which Vogler said should occur within the next two months.
"Once we successfully complete the closing, then a formal site plan will be presented" to the city, he said.
A broader vision?
The project is putting emphasis on the future expansion of Riverwalk, one of the primary reasons to relocate Glazier Gates Park from its location on Manatee Avenue East to Riverside Drive East. That will allow Riverwalk users additional access to the public park.
Vogler has said the Villages at Riverwalk "is just the first step" of a broader vision. Vogler represents other owners of riverfront property, including Scott Tibbetts, who has property around Tarpon Point. In June 2013, documents obtained by the Herald revealed Tibbetts' vision for a hotel and marina in place of Tarpon Point. Nothing else apparently has developed on that project.
The city owns the Tarpon Point property, but City Clerk Carl Callahan has had prior business relationships with Tibbetts in acquiring other properties owned by the city. When asked if the Tarpon Point project was part of that broader vision, Vogler said he was only speaking in general terms. But redevelopment, he added, is "the policy shared by landowners and is consistent with all I know about that land there."
Any type of redevelopment of properties along Riverwalk can only benefit everyone involved, Vogler added, including the community.
This story was originally published November 23, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Details emerge after Bradenton hastily OKs Villages at Riverwalk development agreement."