APRIL FOOL: Town expedites permits for two-story parking garage

The block of 3100 Gulf of Mexico Drive near Buttonwood Drive is changing fast, with a new commercial plaza in construction and a possible Starbucks location opening in the adjacent plaza. 

To account for what's expected to be increased traffic in the area, the town decided to help Orlando-based construction firm Garages Guaranteed to construct a two-story parking garage across the street from the plazas.

The garage will take over the current public beach access point located at 3175 Gulf of Mexico Drive. 

"It was a no-brainer for all of us," said Garages Guaranteed project manager Will Stikley. "The town and plaza owners were fully supportive." 

The town of Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board received at the end of February, crammed at the end of agendas at the last minute. 

These permits and reviews did not need to go before the town commission because of the nature of the re-zoning requirement. 

The plaza owners and the town will partly fund the garage. Town representatives said the town may need to tap into emergency reserves to start the project. 

Stikley said his company would start construction as soon after receiving the last building permit, which the Planning, Zoning and Building Department estimated would be the end of April. 

According to representatives from the town, the parking garage will operate 24/7 and cost $2 per hour, or a maximum rate of $20 per day. The garage will be open to beachgoers, but customers of the plazas across the street can obtain a discounted validation code.