Politics & Government

Should Long Bar Pointe Be Developed? Readers Share Views

The plan is to develop 463 acres overlooking Sarasota Bay in the Village of Cortez, the oldest fishing village in the state of Florida.

"Leave it alone!" A chorus of commenters on the Bradenton Patch Facebook Page is urging the county to kibosh plans for a major development at Long Bar Pointe.

"You won't be happy until this place looks like Sarasota! Leave Bradenton and our peaceful lives alone! Build it in St. Pete if it's so wonderful," implored Sharon Davis.

Added Linda Lou: "Please leave it the way it is; it is beautiful!"

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At issue is a proposal to develop 463 acres in the Village of Cortez – the oldest, surviving fishing village in the state of Florida. 

The property overlooks Sarasota Bay and is seen as prime real estate by developers. The plan is for a resort with 2,700 homes, a 250-room hotel, 150,000 square feet of mixed-use office and retail space and a marina basin. The project would involve dredging and result in the removal of 225 mangroves.

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About 175 people turned out for a meeting in the Village of Cortez last week to voice their concern about the project. Objections included the size and scope of the project and its effects on the local fishing industry.

"Once you take Old Florida out, it’s gone," said Capt. Kathe Tupin Fannon, according to the FISH blog.

The Manatee County Commission's review of the controversial Long Bar Pointe development plan is set for Aug. 6. On Tuesday, the commission announced that the meeting will be held at the Convention Center to accommodate the large crowds expected.

The meeting will be at 1:30 p.m. at 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. (The morning meeting will begin as usual at 9 a.m. in the first-floor County Commission Chambers of Manatee County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave., Bradenton.)  

On Facebook, Judith Rogers took a more middle-of-the-road position. She said that she wants to see more jobs and a boost to the local economy. But she also questions the loss of the natural habitat.

"Once gone always gone," Rogers wrote. "Bradenton needs jobs and economic development... Sure wish it could be done some other way."

What do you think about the proposal? Let us know in the comments below.


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