Manatee County Eyes $24.5M Lakewood Ranch Building for New Administration Center
As Manatee County’s population center continues its eastward shift, county leaders are preparing to follow suit by relocating key government services out of downtown Bradenton and into Lakewood Ranch. The Board of County Commissioners is considering the $24.5 million purchase of a 101,312-square-foot office building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.
The proposed facility, built in 1998 and renovated in 2011, spans two stories across 11.28 acres and offers over 600 parking spaces. The estimated cost for acquisition and upgrades is just under $35 million, significantly lower than the estimated $85 million cost of replacing the deteriorating downtown parking garage, which had previously been included in the county’s Capital Improvement Plan.
Commissioners have long discussed relocating departments to better serve residents in East Manatee, particularly after the county purchased 161 acres off Lena Road in 2020. That land, however, remains undeveloped, and building from scratch was deemed too costly. The Lena Road parcel, purchased for $32.5 million, will be retained for future use, potentially for storage or a fueling station.
The Town Center Parkway facility would house Development Services and other public-facing departments if approved. The current administration building in downtown Bradenton would remain intact, preserving the county seat as defined by the Florida Constitution. Commission meetings would continue to be held in the Honorable Patricia M. Glass Chambers.
The seller of the property is CMHC 9000 JV LLC, a Delaware-based entity managed by MH Commercial Real Estate Fund of West Palm Beach. County staff conducted a site visit in January and recommended the purchase, noting the building’s availability and readiness for occupancy.
Currently, the building is leased by two tenants: TriNet, which occupies the first floor and will vacate by September 1, and FEMA, whose lease expires November 1 but may be extended. Commissioner Bob McCann suggested FEMA might continue leasing from the county, providing easier access to federal services.
Parking, a long-standing concern for downtown visitors, is a driving factor in the proposed relocation. While downtown Bradenton has over 1,700 parking spaces, many are limited to two-hour usage or require payment. The Town Center site offers abundant free parking and is positioned closer to the bulk of Manatee’s growing residential base.
Though staff referred to Town Center Parkway as the “new county administration building,” there are no immediate plans to relocate the county seat. Commissioners confirmed that the existing downtown site would remain in place for official records and meetings. However, Florida law allows the county seat to be changed through a board vote or citizen petition.
The seller signed the intent-to-sell agreement on April 28. The Board of County Commissioners is expected to vote on the proposed purchase during its May 6 meeting.
