Sale of City Owned Property Across from Boat Ramp Goes to CRA Thursday

PALMETTO — On Thursday, a plan to sell city-owned property across the street from Palmetto's Riverside Boat Ramp will go before the Palmetto CRA Advisory Board. It will be the first step in the controversial process of developing a parcel that boating enthusiasts had urged the city to preserve as overflow parking.

City of Palmetto officials note that purchasing the undeveloped land at the northwest corner of Riverside Drive and 8th Ave West was always intended for redevelopment. However, its use as much-needed overflow parking for the city-owned boat ramp across the street was popular with boaters.

Apogee Real Estate Partners' proposal for a mixed-use development that includes multi-family housing was selected in May, and the lot was closed to the public shortly after. The proposed project included a minimum of 15,000 SF of non-residential and commercial uses, including restaurants. It would provide for 21 parking places, much less than the site previously offered.

If approved, the deal would see Apogee's Stadler Development Corp. purchase the property for $2.95 million with property tax abatement incentives, the amount of which is not specified in agenda documents for Thursday's meeting.

Palmetto resident Elaine Johnson, who has been a vocal advocate for preserving the site for overflow parking, says that 21 spots are not nearly enough to accommodate demand for the ramp, especially on weekends. Johnson also questioned the specifics of the tax incentives, noting that if they are generous enough, they could essentially represent a giveaway of city-owned property for private sector use.

Thursday's CRA Advisory meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome to attend.