BRADENTON — Manatee County Commissioners are choosing to continue moving forward with a conservative and exploratory approach to the county’s planning for the proposed “Cortez Marina” at the former Seafood Shack parcel.
Following an update presentation by county staff on the proposed project on Tuesday, commissioners heard feedback from one another and from Cortez-area residents.
Members of the Concerned Citizens of Cortez Coalition, a local community group opposed to the development of a public boat launch at the site, appeared before commissioners to further explain their objections.
Multiple residential community association leaders, including association presidents representing Harbour Landings Estates, Harbor Landings, Sunset Harbor, Point Mariners, and Mariners Cove, were among the residents who addressed the commission on Tuesday.
The residents agreed that they would like to see the parcels developed in a “thoughtful way,” which should not include a boat launch, they said. The public speakers raised concerns about pedestrian safety, the risk of traffic accidents and congestion, and environmental impacts.
Realtor Kevin Milner with Premier Sotheby’s Realty International phoned into the meeting to provide commissioners with his professional perspective on the proposed boat launch.
Milner, who shared that he had 20-plus years of experience in real estate, also stated that since 2014, he has ranked as a top real estate agent for the area and communities surrounding the proposed project’s location.
“I currently have multiple active listings in this north Cortez area,” Milner explained, adding that his clients are all opposed to the development of a boat launch at the site.
“This is going to negatively affect the property values and distract from the charm and character of the community,” said Milner.
Commissioners were divided on the topic, sharing different opinions and rationales both for and against a redevelopment design that includes a boat launch, and agreed to review draft design plans with and without the feature.
Commissioner Tal Siddique, the county’s District 3 commissioner representing areas of western Manatee County, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, and the Cortez community, spoke favorably of a public boat launch design but cautioned staff to stay mindful of projected project costs.
“I like the idea of having a boat ramp here,” Siddique said, “that is generally what the county wants…. It would not be just an amenity for this district, but for the whole county.”
Siddique said he was also open to other combined uses for the site, including amenities similar to those previously there (a bait-and-tackle shop and restaurant) as well as a possible Gulf Island Ferry stop.
Commissioner Bob McCann agreed with residents’ concerns about public safety. He favored a conceptual design that included amenities similar to those previously at the site—a bait shop and a possible restaurant.
Commissioner George Kruse said the county’s survey of county residents showed that the majority wanted to see the site developed in the model of what used to be there—a restaurant and bait and tackle shop.
“But we’re a government, we aren’t building a restaurant,” Kruse said. “If we are going to do that, then we need to rezone this and sell off those parcels.”
Kruse added that after reviewing the information provided by the Cortez Coalition, he shared their traffic and safety concerns and suggested that staff slow down and be more conservative—both in scope and in potential cost—for a conceptual design.
“Step back a little,” Kruse suggested. “I wouldn’t mind in the short term for a limited amount of money, doing without the boat ramps and putting in a nice green space…I’m not saying that should be the long-term plan, but until we understand the budget better and the public better. I think you can make something extremely nice there that goes along with Cortez.”
Commissioner Mike Rahn proposed that the board direct staff to draft and return to the board at least two conceptual design plans, one with a boat launch and one without.
“I think we owe it to the public to show them both,” Rahn said, “and for the board to have an opportunity to review two sets of different conceptuals.”
Overall, commissioners fell into agreement. Top considerations are budget and expenses, community needs and wants, compatibility, and an open mind about which amenities to include or exclude.
At the conclusion of the discussion, commissioners voted 5-1—Commissioner Jason Bearden absent and McCann in opposition—to direct staff to return with two conceptual design plans, one looking at the site being redeveloped with varied amenities to include a public boat launch, and one without.
A second staff-recommended motion to initiate county rezoning of the parcels was deferred by commissioners, who preferred to review the conceptual design options before taking any further zoning steps.
After the vote, TBT spoke with Mark Silagy, a citizen representative for the Concerned Citizens Cortez Coalition, to ask whether the group felt the commissioners listened to their concerns.
Silagy told us via email that the Citizen Coalition was “pleased with the outcome.”
“Commissioners Kruse, Felts, Ballard, McCann, and Rahn clearly heard us,” he wrote, adding that the group was appreciative of the board’s consideration of the public comments.
“The commissioners restored our faith that the process can work, and citizen input will be carefully considered,” added Silagy.
But it wasn’t all positive sentiments. According to Silagy, the citizens’ group was disappointed by the position of their own district commissioner, District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique.
Silagy shared that the Cortez Coalition members were troubled by what felt like Siddique’s disregard for their concerns about safety and ignoring the residents who would be most negatively impacted by how the location is ultimately redeveloped. Calling it “inexcusable.”
But, added Silagy, the coalition remains hopeful that, with the commission’s vote to move forward at a slow, thoughtful pace and further constructive dialogue with community members, Siddique may be open to a change in his position.
“We look forward to working with the county as they move to the planning phase and are cautiously optimistic we will reach an agreement that will result in the right outcome for our community and all citizens of Manatee County,” he wrote on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of Cortez Coalition.
Silagy also shared that, in the interim, the group supports making the area more park-like and attractive while plans are finalized.
The conceptual design plans are expected to return for commissioner review and discussion sometime after the first of the new year, perhaps as early as February 2026.
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