What's In Manatee County's Future? Ideas Wanted

MANATEE COUNTY, FL – There likely won't be flying cars or bullet trains traversing Manatee County 20 years from now.

But there could be an elevated bridge connecting Bradenton and Palmetto, a new entertainment district near the riverfront in Palmetto, a distribution business center to support Port Manatee or a Village of Innovation with shared office space to encourage incubator businesses.

The Manatee County government wants to hear what residents think. The government is launching a visioning project focused on future infrastructure, quality of life, economics and housing for Manatee County.

This visioning project, titled “Back to the Future,” highlights what the county looked like in 1998, how it has progressed to 2018 and predicts the future of the county in 2038.

There's no question that the Manatee County of 2038 will be different from today's Manatee County, said Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker. The U.S. Census predicts the county's population will increase from 375,000 people in 2018 to 500,000 in 2038, generating a need for road improvements, more schools and more housing.

“It is imperative to begin planning for the future today,” Hunzeker said. “This is the opportunity for residents to voice their opinion on key issues that affect our area and for us as county government to listen.”

“Our goal is to eliminate as many barriers to participate as possible," said Simone Peterson, neighborhood services specialist. "We want Manatee County to continue being a great place to live, work and play, but we need participation from our residents.”

In addition to neighborhood/organization-specific presentations, seven public sessions are scheduled to accommodate residents. Peterson said each session will give visitors a glimpse of future community needs, along with a chance to prioritize them. The workshops will be held at the following locations and dates:

• Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto, on May 5 from 1 – 3 p.m.
• South Manatee Library, 6081 26th St. W., Bradenton, on May 22 from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
• Downtown Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W., Bradenton, on June 11 from 6 – 8 p.m.
• Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton, on June 19 from 1 – 3 p.m.
• Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 U.S. 301 N., Ellenton, on June 20 from 6 – 8 p.m.
• Palmetto Library, 923 6th St. W., Palmetto, on June 21 from 6 – 8 p.m.
• Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on July 12 from 10 a.m. to noon.

For more information, visit the Manatee County Government website or call (941) 748-4501.

Image via Manatee County