City Council Denies Removal of Retail From Riverfront Development

Proponents of adding shops and restaurants along Bradenton's waterfront won a small victory Wednesday when the Bradenton City Council unanimously rejected a developer's request to alter its proposed River Song development on what is known as the "Sandpile" along the Mantatee River.

Bradenton Riverfront Partners asked to amend the already approved planned development and eliminate first-floor retail space, reduce the building from five stories to three and switch from condos to luxury apartments.

Council members and citizens expressed their disappointment with the potential loss of retail space on what they consider one of the last prime spots for new downtown businesses to attract visitors to the riverfront.

"I have listened to the visions for years and years and years, and I've always heard, 'retail, retail, retail, retail,' " Councilman Gene Gallo said.

The property, at 606 3rd Ave. W., is situated on the 55-acre Sandpile, created by the dredging of the Manatee River in the 1960s. A 99-year lease to the land, which is also home to the River Dance condominiums and the new Manatee Players Riverfront Theater, was taken over by Bradenton Riverfront Partners in 1998.

Developers over the years have had plans to turn the area into a "Main Street" that would include retail, residential units, offices and other public spaces and serve as a gateway from Ninth Avenue West to Rossi Park and the riverfront.

"What Bradenton Riverfront Partners brought forth to earn that lease and what is currently being put before us is very, very, very different," Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey said.

Attorney Ed Vogler of Bradenton Riverfront Partners said "no one is more disappointed" than he and his partners that they have not yet been able to attract a grocery store or more businesses, but there would still be room for those elsewhere in the development. Vogler said that the addition of apartments alone creates the "heads on beds" effect cited by Realize Bradenton and other downtown visioning plans as necessary to attract businesses to the area.

"We routinely pitch this site to every grocery store imaginable," Vogler told the council, "but we do not yet have the demographic."

Encouraged by the recently approved $6 million Riverwalk renovation that will add interactive water features, public art, a skate park and other amenities to the 1.2-mile stretch along the river, several residents said they did not want to see an apartment complex restricting access and not drawing in people.

"That is a total waste of waterfront property," said L.J. Balestra, a River Dance resident.

"We have the opportunity to make a phenomenal riverfront here," said River Dance resident Donna Seguin, "and let's do it right."

Ron Allen, president of NDC Construction Company, spoke in favor of the amended plans, telling council members they should be careful what they wish for if they were to reject the changes.

"I'm concerned if you let this go, the owner may do something we're less happy with and that we're stuck with," Allen said.