Manatee, Longboat work on Whitney Plaza community center agreements

Nothing is finalized yet, but officials working on the Whitney Plaza community center are trying to get things over the finish line. 

Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton briefed commissioners on the latest updates as of Sept. 28. 

Tipton said Manatee County staff met with Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building department staff, along with the town’s fire marshal, to talk about their intentions for the space. As of now, the plan is to use 6,140 square feet of the building's more than 10,000 square feet.

Changes to the space will be mainly focused on the interior, with the exception of signage to identify the community center. 

Manatee County District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge has been a part of this project since its inception almost three years ago. 

“Longboat Key contributes handsomely to the tax roll of Manatee County and really never asks for anything,” Van Ostenbridge said. “So when they came to us and asked for the county to have a presence on Longboat Key, I was trying to be quick to accommodate.” 

He said the county is now negotiating the lease with Hal Porter, owner of Whitney Beach Plaza. The interlocal agreement is in the final stages with the school board. 

The county will pay the lease and cover the necessary buildout, Van Ostenbridge said, and the county will run the operational side. 

Van Ostenbridge said he also sees the potential for adding a water taxi stop at the dock near Whitney Plaza. 

Longboat Key held a community input session on July 12 to brainstorm ideas for what residents wanted to see from the space. Some brought up ideas such as exercise classes, skills training and meeting space.

Ultimately, the decision on what to make of the community space is up to the school board. But Tipton heard most recently that adult enrichment courses seemed to be a top priority. The space could potentially be used for events and other group meetings. 

Van Ostenbridge wasn’t able to give a possible timeline for any further action but is working to get things done. 

“I’m trying to push things through on the county’s end as quickly as I can,” he said. 

The project will be on the agenda for the Longboat Key and Manatee County joint commission meeting on Oct. 31.