Bradenton Beach's Historic Bridge Street could get $400,000 facelift

BRADENTON BEACH -- A $400,000 makeover of Historic Bridge Street could begin shortly.

Public Works Director Tom Woodard said once the Bradenton Beach City Commission approves the project, which is expected Thursday, work will soon begin. Some stormwater improvements are already underway.

Visitors and business owners in the heart of Anna Maria Island's southernmost city aren't expected to notice much in terms of construction as stormwater crews work on one small section at a time. City commissioners will consider further upgrades, including landscaping, designer asphalt repaving for Bridge Street and repaving all community redevelopment agency streets in downtown.

Rumors persisted the city would have to shut Bridge Street down until mid-December, but Woodard said it's not true.

"We aren't closing Bridge Street," he said. "That's simply not true. There will be portions of the road that will see work and if the city commission approves the resurfacing, it will be suggested that it takes place at night. For a road this size, it would probably only take a night or two."

Woodard said he would like work to begin soon after the anticipated approval.

"We'd like to start right away," said Woodard. "There's no offseason anymore on the island, but we'd like to be finished before the real season begins."

The CRA will fund the project and Woodard said the Bridge Street Merchants are "100 percent behind this."

Amanda Escobio, owner of Sea-renity Spa & Eco Boutique, said a little inconvenience will be worth the improvements.

"It's going to add tremendous charm and provide much-needed maintenance to the street," said Escobio. "While I don't know a lot about the stormwater part of it, it's our duty being on an island to make sure that's taken care of."

Woodard said the stormwater project will eliminate runoff to Sarasota Bay.

"Many people don't realize that there is a thick layer of clay under the island," said Woodard. "The project will basically dig holes through that layer, fill them with 57 rock, which percolates water into the ground and replenishes underground fresh water. Most of the flooding issues we have is tidal related because the tides come back into the pipes and there's nowhere for runoff to go. This will help eliminate that problem as well."

Woodard called the entire project a "low-tech fix, as far as the nature of it, but it's going to be an effective and attractive end result."

Escobia said the Nov. 1-15 public art show "Turtles" is underway, which includes an auction of dozens of giant turtles created by local artists.

"I don't expect to see this get in the way of anything we have going on," she said.

Angela Rodocker, president of the Bridge Street Merchants and owner of the Bridgewalk Resort, said merchants unanimously support the project.

"I've had no negative feedback about this," said Rodocker. "I feel strongly this will be an asset when it is done and an investment into the city. We worked closely with the city and had a lot of input, so I'm really happy to see this get going and believe the city will ensure businesses can operate without interruption."

Woodard said the goal is to complete the project in coordination with the grand opening of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Bridge Street Pier in December.

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

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 6:40 PM with the headline "Bradenton Beach's Historic Bridge Street could get $400,000 facelift ."