Market Updates

Bradenton Weighing Possibility of Selling City Hall, Police Station for New Development

City Hall
Bradenton City Hall is located at the corner of Old Main Street (12th St. W.) and Barcarrota Boulevard. Image credit: City of Bradenton.

BRADENTON, FL – The city of Bradenton is weighing the possibility of selling the four acres of waterfront property that its city hall and police station currently sit upon to open the land up for potential high-end real estate development. 

Mayor Gene Brown reportedly noted that the city has received multiple offers for the property from developers, and that the city is currently mulling over the possibility of accepting the right bid. If this were to take place, it would obviously necessitate the relocation of Bradenton’s city hall and police station. 

The tentative plan in the event of a sale would involve moving the police station to a new location on 6th Avenue; the remainder of city services that would be displaced by the sale – including the city hall itself – would also have to be moved, the location of which has yet to be determined. 

According to Mayor Brown, the current site of the city hall and police station would be used as the basis for a mixed-use development, which is slated to include condominiums, a hotel, retail shops, and restaurants. 

Brown noted that the city has been receiving offers of the waterfront property for quite some time, and that currently favorable real estate conditions now warrant serious consideration regarding a sale. 

“Over the years, it’s been talked about,” he said. “And, you know, in this market, it seems like it’s the right time.” 

In addition to the financial advantages that a sale would entail, Brown also said that there were several other reasons why Bradenton is considering a sale, including the anticipated $15 million a year in new tax revenue that the new development would generate for the city, which would spare residents a tax hike. 

In addition, Brown noted that the city hall and police station are older buildings in need of renovation, especially considering their proximity to the water. 

“If we would have had Ian, that building would have been gone,” he said, referring to the hurricane that tore through Florida in late 2022. 

Before the sale goes forward, the city will be holding a number of public hearings to get input from residents; to see the dates and locations of those meetings – or to leave comments or concerns online – visit this link

Florida Gulf Residential specializes in the areas of SarasotaSiesta KeyBradentonLakewood RanchLongboat KeyVenicePalmer RanchOspreyAnna Maria Island and other Gulf Coast communities. Feel free to give us a call at (941) 304-1975 so we can answer any questions you may have.

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