A long-vacant historic building in downtown Bradenton could take on new life as part of a proposed university campus following a unanimous vote by the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.
During its Tuesday meeting, the commission approved transferring the former GTE building at 1009 4th Avenue West to the City of Bradenton. The move clears the way for the city to pursue redevelopment of the property as part of its broader downtown revitalization efforts.
The 1915 building could become a focal point of a proposed downtown satellite campus for Point Park University, a Pittsburgh-based university founded in 1933. The university offers programs in areas including performing arts, business, communication and other career-focused fields.
Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown addressed county commissioners before the vote and outlined the city’s developing partnership with Point Park. Under the concept being explored, the former GTE building could house a performing arts conservatory connected to the downtown campus.
Initial plans could bring approximately 250 students to downtown Bradenton. As the campus grows, city officials estimate the economic impact could reach between $5 million and $10 million or more annually through spending on housing, restaurants, retail, groceries, entertainment, transportation and other goods and services.
The impact could extend beyond students, with faculty, staff, prospective students and their families, alumni, performers and audiences potentially bringing additional activity into the downtown district.
Commission Chair Tal Siddique has participated in discussions with Point Park officials and visited the university’s Pittsburgh campus. He expressed support for the potential partnership and highlighted Point Park’s approach to combining performing arts education with business instruction, providing students with skills that could help them pursue careers as entrepreneurs and business leaders in addition to careers in the arts.
Commissioner Bob McCann also supported transferring the property but raised concerns about how long discussions surrounding the project had been underway before details were presented publicly and to commissioners. Despite those concerns, McCann supported the proposal and the potential for it to contribute to a stronger cultural and economic center in downtown Bradenton.
The former GTE property was most recently appraised at approximately $1.215 million.
The transfer comes with restrictions on how the property can be used. Permitted uses include workforce development, education, community and training opportunities, along with other redevelopment activities consistent with the Downtown District Area Community Redevelopment Plan.
The deed also contains a five-year reverter clause, providing protections if the property is not used as intended, and preserves a county-owned easement through the site to a nearby county-owned area.
Manatee County reacquired the building from Florida Cultural Group Inc. in December 2023. At one point, the property had been considered as part of plans associated with replacing the deteriorating downtown parking garage. County officials later determined the GTE building was no longer needed for that project, opening the door for another use.
Transferring the property to Bradenton provides an opportunity to restore and repurpose a building that has remained vacant for years while supporting the city’s efforts to bring additional education, arts, business and pedestrian activity downtown.
Tuesday’s unanimous county vote is an important step, but a Point Park University campus in Bradenton is not yet finalized. The scope of the proposed campus, financing and renovation of the historic building, and its ultimate use will require additional planning, agreements and approvals involving the City of Bradenton and other parties.
If those plans move forward, the century-old GTE building could transition from an underused public property into a centerpiece of a new educational and performing arts presence in downtown Bradenton.
