BRADENTON — At Tuesday’s Manatee County Commission meeting, the board shot down an effort by Commissioner Tal Siddique (R-Dist. 3) to provide New College of Florida with space at the county-owned Powel Crosley Estate in exchange for ownership of roughly 185 acres of conservation land in district 3, near Tidy Island.
The background description of the one-page item read as follows:
New College of Florida is the state's premier Liberal Arts College and a model for the country on classical education. New College has a need to expand in order to better serve our community. Manatee County has an opportunity to support this expansion effort with county property and expand the amount of environmentally sensitive lands under county ownership.
The item was listed as not including an action request from the board.
"They're interested in how they can leverage some of that space while continuing to allow Manatee County to continue operating it as a wedding and events venue," said Siddique of the college’s desire regarding the estate. "I believe staff should identify that argument and the agreement. So, the motion that I'd really like to make here is to direct staff to negotiate for Tidy Island with New College in exchange for space at the Powel Crosley Estate."
Commission Chair George Kruse pointed out that the cover page for the item clearly stated that no action was being requested.
"That seems to be a pretty extensive motion being made that's way outside the scope of (commissioners and the public) not being briefed on what you're requesting," said Kruse.
Siddique said that the lack of an action request was "probably a typo that had been missed" and said, "I'm not directing staff to execute an agreement. I'm simply directing staff to begin discussions with them and then come back to the board. I'm happy to amend that motion."
"I'm just gonna be straight up," said Commissioner Jason Bearden. "I ain't in favor of that. Period. That is a jewel for Manatee County and the constituents, and they own it. And they want to continue to own it. So, I can promise you that you will always have a no vote from me on that."
Commissioner Mike Rahn, who is on the board of the college's foundation, said that he had had some discussions with the college but was unaware of how much of the land was protected.
Commissioner Amanda Ballard referenced the same discussion with the previous board. She said she still didn't think it seemed viable, as it was a greater priority to maintain the estate for the county and its residents.
"To me, it doesn't really seem workable. I want to ensure that the estate is available for the use of the county, how we would like to use it, how we need to use it, that it's available for our purposes, that it's available for constituents,” said Ballard. “And it didn't really seem in previous discussions like there was a really good plan for how we'd share space, and it almost seemed like an end around to New College eventually trying to control the estate, which I am not in favor of."
Kruse added that he also had brief discussions with the school and could not conceive of a scenario where he would be comfortable giving New College any control over the estate. He also noted that land that already had protected status had little value to the county in that regard.
Commissioner Carol Felts added, "...This particular area, I don't think is the right place or the right time. We don't want to give that up ... They have a need, so let them identify that need and come to us. Maybe we can find something for them, but this is just not it at this time."
A second motion from Commissioner Siddique directed staff to "have discussion" rather than "enter negotiations" in order to add transparency to the back channel conversations that were taking place and that he felt would continue. That motion was seconded by Commissioner Rahn and failed 2-5, with only commissioners Siddique and Rahn in favor. You can watch the portion of the meeting concerning the item below.
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Charlene
I don't see the purpose of this.
Tuesday, February 4 Report this
pattybeenutty
DeSantis should keep his hands off our institutions.
Sorry, Tal!
The enrollment is only up because it is becoming a mediocre sports college. It's academic scores are down.
Wednesday, February 5 Report this
johnschussler
The Federal Aviation Administration rejected the sale of airport land to New College April 2024. The airport authority appealed that rejection, then withdrew their appeal before receiving a second rejection letter from the FAA. State government officials are trying to expand a college that does not have sufficient land to expand upon. Maybe they should have considered that before they announced the takeover and future expansion of New College. Now they are in too deep to back out. Now those same state government officials are getting desperate for expansion land and buildings near New College, so they are looking at the Ringling Museum, the Art Museum, USF-SM, the Crosley Estate. Good decision by Manatee County Commission to stay out of it. This is those state government officials's problem, it is not Manatee County's problem.
Wednesday, February 5 Report this
bbenac
Thankyou to the BOCC majority for NOT considering this land grab by New College. The reality is New College has destroyed extensive wetland areas to install athletic fields where there were previously protected uplands and wetlands-because as they said, the State of FL owns the property and they can do what they want. The city of Sarasota tried to continue to protect the area which was marked as a protected (I have pictures of the destroyed trees with the destroyed sign saying they were protected). We used to routinely walk the area-which had shade via tall older pine trees (with osprey nests), and now the fields sit directly on the bayside. The fields are being watered and heavily treated to grow grass for athletic fields, and a beach volleyball court created for the “student athletes”. The lands near Tidy Island apparently are already under a conservation easement -so this trade would add nothing for County residents.
Wednesday, February 5 Report this
ruthlawler
The Powell Crosley estate was acquired by Manatee County in the 1990s. At the time prior to acquisition, there was much discussion as to whether Manatee County should acquire this property, as it was available for purchase. The building and land had been neglected and needed much attention. I was at the joint meeting of Manatee County Historical Commission and Manatee County Commissioners at the Crosley estate when this was debated and voted on to purchase the property. My daughter, Maryann Lawler, was in middle school at the time and did her history fair report on Powell Crosley (prior to the internet as a resource). She read her report on Powell Crosely at that meeting. Little was know locally about him at that time, and why he had a winter home here. Not only was he an incredible businessman and innovator, this property was an opportunity to protect a piece of history from a bygone era. Time would prove that the Historical Commission was correct to urge Manatee County to own this gem. It has become a positive revenue generator for Manatee County, as it is a venue for many weddings and events which adds income through (now called) Manatee County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and it preserves a wonderful example of a bygone era. This property should remain in total control of Manatee County. I highly object to the idea that New Clooege, or any other entity, have ownership interest in this property. The can pay a fee to Manatee County if they wish to rent space for events, like anyone else.
Wednesday, February 5 Report this
AllForOne
What a shock that any commissioner would even consider passing this historic building on to another entity. Obviously, they don't remember or weren't around when all the work and effort was done to acquire this old relic and then retore it to the jewel it is today. I am so tired of "Johnny Come Latelys" getting in power and not having an understanding of all the work that was done in the past.
Thursday, February 6 Report this
WTF
We have a commissioner Tal Siddique who apparently cannot stay in his lane when it comes to other districts in overstepping his bounds. Tal Siddique is is still wet behind the ears that should not be bringing up preposterous ideas outside his district, he is not an at large commissioner although at times he thinks he is. For him to direct staff to begin discussions is absolutely ridiculous without engaging the public and certainly a town hall meeting. That shows a lack of inexperience on the board also lack of citizen comment and public input before spending taxpayers money.
Saturday, February 8 Report this