Riverwalk Project Clears Another Hurdle

The Riverwalk development project cleared another hurdle Thursday as residents lobbied for the inclusion of waterfront dining and a world-class skate park.

The Downtown Development Authority unanimously approved a concept plan and a $6.2 million construction budget for the project, which includes a boat ramp, kayak launch, sand volleyball courts, improved lighted paths for walking and bicycling and more along the Manatee River.

The DDA also approved a financing plan, which will include a bond issuance of $5.8 million. That bond issuance will come before city council for final approval on Feb. 23.

"This is a great day for the city of Bradenton," DDA board chairman Will Robinson said.

Project manager Dale Weidemiller said the DDA has about $1.2 million in grants already lined up to pay for the remainder of the Riverwalk project's $6.2 million construction costs and could secure about another $2 million after the design is submitted.

One financing option for the bond presented Thursday showed the DDA making annual debt payments of $346,935 through 2016. Those payments would be bumped up to more than $500,000 a year in 2017, when an interlocal agreement with Manatee County expires and the DDA will be able to keep more local tax revenues.

The project, which stretches along the Manatee River from the Green Bridge to , is the aimed at drawing more visitors and businesses to the area.

The DDA heard from J. Clifford Curley, one of several Bradenton residents who have repeatedly called for the inclusion of plans for waterfront dining within the Riverwalk project.

Project manager Dale Weidemiller said he has had discussions with the riverfront about re-opening a restaurant on its property and has considered building kiosks that could be rented out by food vendors, but there are no concrete plans for restaurants in the Riverwalk project.

Weidemiller said the project is "the precursor to provide traffic for downtown," with the hope it will lure other private investors to create downtown dining options.

"I don't see it as part of our mission, nor would I take it on as a challenge, to become restaurant attracters," Weidemiller said.

The DDA on Thursday approved an incentive package aimed at helping from West Bradenton to a space inside the SunTrust Building on Third Avenue West, a few blocks from the waterfront.

"I think that is a wonderful step forward," Curley said, "but it is not the sole step forward that is needed, and I would encourage this board to do more."

Several skateboarders also spoke before the board Thursday in favor of plans for a proposed $410,000 skate park.

Carl Nicks, a 36-year-old skater from St. Petersburg, said he and his friends regularly drive past Bradenton on their way to skate parks in Sarasota and Englewood.

"I know for a fact I would be here two or three nights a week," Nicks said.

Skater Geza Darrah presented a list of "30 great reasons Bradenton needs a skate park," saying the sport gives kids a safe activity and would draw families to Bradenton's waterfront. Darra said many skaters aren't fans of local facilities at and in Palmetto and hoped a new waterfront park would be designed with serious skaters in mind.

"It's like T-ball to baseball," Darra said of the comparison to the proposed world-class facility on the waterfront.

Several local skaters, including Darra, have volunteered to be part of an ad hoc design committee for the skate park.

Also Thursday, the DDA:

• Authorized an additional $10,000 for consultant work as the DDA continues talks with developer Widewaters Bradenton LLC about the future of the "." The developer, which took over ownership of the former downtown luxury hotel and senior living facility last year, is looking into the feasibility of opening a new hotel on the property.

• Said it has received 72 resumes for its vacant executive director position and hopes to begin identifying interview candidates within the next week.

• Said goodbye to , who is taking a position with Suncoast Community Capital, a local nonprofit focused on providing economic development in low-income areas. Board members and staff made a $265 donation on Kennedy's behalf to Habitat for Humanity of Manatee County, of which Kennedy previously served as board president.

• Congratulated DDA Program Administrator Karen Kyser on her 10 years of service with the city.