Longboat Key Leaders Renew Push for Community Center as New Property Option Emerges
At a joint meeting on May 7 between the Longboat Key Town Commission and the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, officials revived efforts to create a community center for Longboat Key residents. This time focused on a promising property for purchase.
The meeting in Bradenton came months after Manatee County withdrew from a previous plan to renovate and lease space at Whitney Plaza for a community center. Town Manager Howard Tipton introduced a new option: a 1.5-acre parcel owned by the Chiles Group at 6920 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The site features a 1,300-square-foot multi-use cottage, two bathrooms, and 88 graded parking spaces. The property, however, is only available for purchase, with price estimates ranging from $3 million to $5 million.
Tipton underscored the need for a permanent space, especially on the island’s north end, where many residents have long awaited a local facility for meetings, recreation, and community events.
The discussion reflected broad support from county commissioners, including District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique, who represents Longboat Key, and Commission Chair George Kruse. Both emphasized the importance of finding a lasting solution and agreed that community spaces are essential in every neighborhood.
The original plan had included a four-year lease at Whitney Plaza, with $1.2 million earmarked for renovations. The county had already spent $135,080 on the lease’s first year before hurricanes and structural damage prompted the withdrawal. Siddique said that while leasing had been a temporary fix, investing in a permanent space would be a more responsible use of county funds.
While Tipton noted that the town could assist in managing the center once it is operational, Longboat Mayor Ken Schneier stated in a May 5 letter that the town could not contribute to purchasing the site due to depleted reserves following hurricane recovery.
The town’s position also brought renewed attention to funding disparities between Sarasota and Manatee counties. Longboat Key generates substantial tax revenue—$34.5 million annually to Manatee County and $59 million to Sarasota County—but county investments have not been equal.
County Investments in Longboat Key Over the Last 20 Years:
Sarasota County: $21.4 million
$10 million for Bayfront Park land purchase and development
$400,000 contribution to the Town Center Green
$11 million for a new county library on the Town Center Green
Manatee County: $2.85 million
$2.7 million for Greer Island improvements
$80,000 annually for Greer Island marine patrols
$150,000 for the Broadway Roundabout design
District 5 Commissioner Sarah Karon, representing the north end, praised the collaboration and called for continued engagement with local residents who have long supported the project.
Resident Maureen Merrigan, co-chair of Longboat Key North—a coalition of 28 homeowner and condo associations—spoke in person at the meeting. She reminded officials of the community’s prior commitment to volunteer time and effort toward a shared space and said she was encouraged by the commissioners' renewed focus.
As the proposed site remains available, Tipton will continue talks with county staff to assess the property’s viability and potentially move toward acquisition.
