City Council OKs Riverwalk Plans

The Bradenton Riverwalk got a green light Wednesday from city leaders.

The City Council signed off on a $6.2 million project that would redevelop 1.2 miles of Bradenton's waterfront along the Manatee River, a vote that elicited cheers from more than 100 attendees at Wednesday's regular meeting.

Council members unanimously approved the concept plan for the , which include improved lighting and walkways, interactive water features, public art and sculpture, free wi-fi, volleyball courts, a skate park and other features.

"I'm thrilled about this," said Mayor Wayne Poston, who added that an enhanced Riverwalk was one of his goals when he first took office in 2000.

Several residents and community leaders spoke in favor of the project Wednesday, including representatives of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Manatee Young Professioanls, Westminster Communities, Riverdance condos and more.

"This is the people's plan," said Will Robinson, Downtown Development Authority board chair. "This is something that is part of our master plan for the city and something the public has said for many, many years that they wanted."

Only one person spoke in opposition of the project Wednesday — Bradenton resident J. Clifford Curley, who has repeatedly called for the inclusion of restaurants in the project and noted that was a top request of respondents to a public survey by Realize Bradenton.

Planners have only suggested the inclusion of small food pavilions and a public/private partnership with the to install a restaurant or tiki bar on its riverfront property. The Riverwalk's 60-foot width does not allow for full restaurants, Robinson said.

City council will still have the final say on the project's financial plan, which is expected to include a bond issuance of $5 million by the Downtown Development Authority. Project manager Dale Weidemiller said an expected $1.2 million in state and federal grants will round out the rest of the cost.

With Wednesday's vote, the city agrees to cover the shortfall should the DDA be unable to make its annual debt service payment in any given year. Such a "covenant to budget" was necessary in order for the DDA to get an "A"-rated bond with better terms and a lower price, Weidemiller said.

Carl Callahan, city clerk and treasurer, said the financial planners are taking a "conservative approach" and that he is confident the city has the funds available to pick up the tab if necessary.

The DDA plans to pay interest only on the bonds until 2017, when an interlocal agreement between the city and county expires. At that time, an additional $1.3 million a year in tax increment funding that had been going to the county for the construction of its downtown administrative building will be retained by the DDA and put toward paying off the debt.

Ward 4 Councilman Bemis Smith said it's important to note the money used to fund the project comes from tax revenues from businesses and residents in the area and not the county at large.

Smith also said he hoped that once the Riverwalk is complete, efforts would continue to draw people to the Riverwalk.

"The crazy part is we (could) end up with this beautiful park and it ends up being underutilized," Smith said.

The planning team has already begun exploring maintenance options for the park, through private vendors, the city's public works department or some combination of the two, Weidemiller said, and the DDA has the funds to pay for long-term upkeep.

Realize Bradenton will help manage functions and special events taking place at the completed Riverwalk, including concerts, outdoor health and fitness programs and learning opportunities for children.

Council members voted 4-0 in favor of the plan — Ward 1 Councilman Gene Gallo was home sick with a stomach flu, according to Poston.