Encouraging Bradenton Development News Comes Out of Workshop Session

BRADENTON--After a brief regular meeting on Wednesday, the Bradenton City Council received some encouraging news on potential business developments at a workshop in City Hall. City Planning Director Tim Polk reported that Chase Bank is planning to open two new branches in the Bradenton area within the next two years. Other businesses looking to open stores in the city are a sandwich shop, a 7-Eleven convenience store and a pool supply store. In addition, developers from Harbour Isle and Tidewater Preserve have construction plans for homes in the area.

As reporter earlier in the week, a plan to rejuvenate the former Manatee River Hotel (aka “Pink Palace”) is on the docket for the next Bradenton Downtown Development Authority Meeting on March 22 at which time grants will be discussed to jump start the project.

Due diligence is currently being done by Chase Bank on sites within Bradenton for the new branches, the former Sonic Drive-In on East State Road 64 and one in the Beachway Plaza at Cortez Road West and 43rd Street West.

A Hollywood Video store in Beachway Plaza is the proposed site for a new 7-Eleven store in Bradenton. It will not include a gas station however. The City Planning Commission will need to approve the convenience store and pool supply store before construction and renovation can begin.

Harbour Isle on Perico Island is scheduled to have the first phase of approximately 60 units completed and ready by April according to Mr. Polk. The condo development is located on Anna Maria Sound and Perico Bayou.

The Tidewater Preserve subdivision, near 48th Street East north of East State Road 64, has begun to build new homes with more than a dozen lots under construction.