Summer Update Part 2
District 3 project updates and town halls
Introduction
This is part two of my “Summer Update” focusing on District 3-specific projects, my town hall schedule, and podcast appearances. If you missed part one visit talsiddique.substack.com to read my thoughts on the future of transportation in Manatee County.
Tal Siddique, Certified County Commissioner
The importance of continuous learning is a principle I carry with me from my time in the tech industry. With that spirit in mind I have devoted a significant amount of my time off the dais in the Florida Institute for County Government’s (ICG) Certified County Commissioner program. The ICG and Florida Association of Counties (FAC) offer certification programs allowing elected commissioners the opportunity to receive instruction on all aspects of the role of county commissioner. The important thing for my constituents to know is I take any job seriously and approach it with the mindset of always wanting to improve my skills.
For years the only commissioner in Manatee to earn and obtain certifications from the ICG was George Kruse, pictured above with his new Advanced County Commissioner Level 1 certification. I am proud to say there are now two certified county commissioners on the dais. Over the next two years I will be working towards attaining the Advanced County Commissioner level 1 and 2 certifications.
Podcasts Galore
Manatee County staff have created great new podcast, Chambers, Changes, & Conversations; in an effort to reach new audiences. Check out my appearance on the most recent episode below:
This Wednesday July 2nd I will also be on The Bradenton Times podcast. Look for that to be posted sometime in the afternoon.
District 3 Project Highlights
Repairing the Florida Maritime Museum
The Florida Maritime Museum collects, preserves, and shares traditional knowledge, cultural artifacts, and personal stores specific to Florida's fishing and maritime heritage. The 1912 schoolhouse, which houses the museum, struggled to receive funding for repairs from Manatee County. Since 2020 the damage has compounded with new water intrusion from Helene and mold.
Fortunately during a February meeting I was successful in convincing our Board of the need to identify funds to complete the remaining repairs. These repairs are estimated to be in the $6-9 million range but I will look to receive more accurate figures later this year as well as a report from county staff outlining funding sources to restore this treasure.
Mold remediation was completed by our staff in late April, and a plan to begin sub-floor installation is underway. Sometime in September, our Board will hear an update on the work remaining as well as a cost estimate for future repairs. We have retained a firm that specializes in historic preservation and I am confident the repairs will be faithful to the historic nature of the building.
75th Street West Construction
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025 the county held a community workshop to gather feedback on the proposed widening of 75th Street West. This well-attended event was packed with residents sharing feedback with staff.
As you may have seen at the corner of 75th Street West & Manatee Ave W, we are getting a new Starbucks. The county is currently working to ensure we can build a right-turn lane heading northbound & east as part of the improvements. To avoid scope creep and further delays, this turn lane will be tracked as a separate project.
Construction work has begun and if you would like to follow updates please bookmark this page here.
Cortez Marina
The Cortez Marina project is only just beginning. No formal proposal beyond Board discussion has been brought before our board. That being said, I have been adamant that there need to be public workshops and a fully transparent process for the future build-out.
At my most recent town hall in Bradenton Beach in June I spoke to residents living near the property and heard their concerns. As the folks living closest to the development I believe their perspective is a good indicator of what residents in my district may feel. That being said I heard a positive reception to the following elements of a future site plan, so long as changes are made to traffic patterns and walk—ability to the site is improved:
A restaurant, or two, depending on the site-plan
A marina
A water taxi stop
Respect and adoption of the Cortez, fishing village charm
Local business owner preference
Some ideas received with less-than-stellar feedback were:
A boat launch
Dry boat storage
A boat launch was the primary reason for this purchase so I believe if appropriate changes are made to traffic patterns we can make this work. I fully expect the Board and county staff to develop a public-private partnership to deliver these amenities with us. I do not have dates to offer yet but look to see something to happen within the next year. In the mean time I am always soliciting ideas from all of you.
Road Resurfacing
Having our roads resurfaced is a common ask I receive. In a Florida Institute for County Government (ICG) course, I came across some helpful information about what resurfacing is, how much it can cost, and the cost of deferring maintenance of our roadways.
As you can see from the graphs, preventative maintenance is the key to maintaining healthy roadways and our budgets. Like going to the doctor or your dentist for a routine checkup it is important we address the condition of our roadways early on.
You can find information on our resurfacing projects here. I have requested county staff to bring me an inventory of all county owned and maintained roadways. I will use this as the basis to improve the allocation for resurfacing. In the current budget process I have already received small support to increase the funding from $4 million to $8-10 million. It still is not enough but it is a starting point.
Manatee 311
I receive a lot of direct emails and phone calls about requests for any number of issues. Manatee 311 is your resource to ensure your request is logged and sent straight to staff. Whether you have a clogged drain or need a pothole fixed, please download the Manatee 311 App or visit the website to use this incredible resource. If you have any ideas or suggestions for improvements in your neighborhood please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Town Hall Schedule
As promised, I have created a new town hall schedule for the Summer & Fall of 2025. I hope to see you there with your concerns and needs for our district.
That’s all folks!
Must you be pre-registered to speak or ask questions at your town hall meetings?
Tal, this is good communication. Item: roundabout was installed on 51st street outlet for Gt bray park. Was built in a way that southbound and northbound traffic literally does not have to slow down to go through the roundabout. This was a design flaw that is highly dangerous. It needs to be adjusted so that this traffic needs to slow down before entering the circle since the circle is already made perhaps a significant speed bump before entering from northbound or southbound directions would be the fix.