Manatee County commissioners voted 5-1 on Oct. 20 to approve a four-year agreement allowing SEMA Construction to use portions of the former Seafood Shack property as a staging area for the Cortez Bridge replacement project. The decision followed objections from nearby residents who raised concerns about changes to the proposed use of the property.
Commissioner Jason Bearden cast the lone dissenting vote, citing concerns about transparency and communication with affected neighborhoods.
The county purchased the former Seafood Shack property in 2024 for $13 million. Under the agreement, SEMA will use two sections of the property for construction activities, including equipment storage, material assembly, employee parking and access to barges.
The southern section, identified as Parcel 1, will accommodate semi-permanent construction structures, including a crane access trestle. Parcel 2, located north of the humpback bridge on 127th Street West, will serve as an additional staging area for materials, equipment and parking.
Residents of nearby neighborhoods objected to the expanded use of Parcel 2, saying they had previously been told the area would be limited to overflow parking for light vehicles. They expressed concerns about construction traffic, safety and access to neighborhoods with only one entrance and exit.
SEMA representatives explained that the project will require more than 3,000 truckloads over approximately 1,200 days, averaging three to five truckloads daily. The contractor plans to fence and secure the staging areas to restrict public access.
County officials said the agreement will help minimize traffic disruptions along Cortez Road by reducing the need for construction vehicles to operate within the Florida Department of Transportation right-of-way near Tide Tables restaurant.
Restaurant owners and representatives of Cortez Park Homeowners Inc. supported the agreement, warning that using the roadway and parking areas near Tide Tables for construction staging could significantly disrupt business operations and create additional traffic congestion.
The agreement also addresses delays associated with the county’s water main replacement project beneath the Intracoastal Waterway. The existing water main conflicts with pilings needed for the new bridge, delaying construction originally expected to begin in June.
In exchange for access to the county property, SEMA agreed not to pursue approximately $1.4 million in delay-related costs from the county or state.
Additional terms require SEMA to construct docking, storage and fueling facilities for the county’s Gulf Islands Ferry service and demolish an existing house on the property.
Commissioners supporting the agreement emphasized the importance of preventing further construction delays and limiting disruptions to surrounding businesses and traffic.
With the agreement approved, SEMA can proceed with staging operations at the former Seafood Shack property as preparations continue for the Cortez Bridge replacement project.
