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The Crooked River Ranch property has been in the same family for decades, but on Tuesday, Manatee County announced the waterfront site is one of several under consideration for purchase for environmental protection.
Another larger tract of land called the Gamble Creek Preserve was also approved for conservation in the Parrish area.
Commissioners voted to move forward on the effort Tuesday, at a county meeting where they also debated giving away county-owned property for affordable housing for homeless veterans. That debate ended in a three-to-one decision to table the matter after three commissioners, including two veterans, skipped the final vote despite attending the meeting.
A nearly nine-acre property off 66th St. W. in Bradenton could see a major transformation in the years to come. County commissioners are considering gifting the land, valued at about $6 million, to a New York-based nonprofit.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation provides housing assistance to veterans who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They’ve helped thousands of people across the nation and aim to bring their work to Bradenton.
The hope is to transform the county-owned property into affordable housing for veterans. The exact number of units is still up in the air, but during a meeting before commissioners Tuesday, a representative with the nonprofit mentioned a maximum of 170 units as part of the 50-year agreement.
Commissioners were supportive of the proposal, however, there was some hesitation surrounding the possible impacts on nearby neighborhoods, losing control of the county property, and what possible fallout might look like.
Commissioners ultimately voted to bring the project back to the table in at most six weeks. In the meantime, community town hall meetings will be held to get public input.
Commissioner Kruse was the only one who voted against the motion to delay the decision, while Commissioner James Satcher, Commissioner Amanda Ballard, and Commissioner Mike Rahn were not present for the vote, which took place after a 90-minute lunch break.
The Manatee County Commission has pumped the brakes on moving forward with a partnership that would provide affordable housing for homeless veterans after considering how it could impact the surrounding area.
In April, a nationwide veterans organization pitched its plan to build up to 130 apartments for former service members who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. At the time, commissioners said they were fans of the idea, but the board last week said it needed more information before giving a green light.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which aims to provide supportive housing for veterans across the nation, asked the county to donate land at 6610 Cortez Road West, where the county's Utilities Department is based. The organization hopes to provide housing for 2,000 veterans this year, according to its website.
The organization plans to offer wraparound services on the property, including therapists, employment programs, addiction resources and more. The complex is also slated to have 24/7 on-site security. Tunnel to Towers has similar developments in Arizona, California and Texas.
But board members say they aren't convinced that the housing complex for homeless veterans won't lead to complaints from neighbors. Commissioner Van Ostenbridge asked the board to hold off on approving the land donation until county officials could hold a town hall on the subject.
"My concern is for the neighborhood and businesses in the surrounding area. I need some kind of proof in the pudding, assurances and recourse. We're not building a Neal Community here," Van Ostenbridge said, referring to the development company founded by former state lawmaker Pat Neal.
"Let's be straight up and quit pussyfooting around the issue. We're doing a homeless transition site."
Manatee seeks feedback on veteran housing
Commissioner Jason Bearden, a U.S. Marine veteran, said he was not sold on the facility's management plans and pushed to delay the land transfer until county officials had a chance to meet with other organizations that provide similar assistance to veterans.
"I think, as a board, we have to do the due diligence, to shop around and get public comment on this," Bearden said.
The board voted to delay the hearing for up to six weeks in order to host a town hall meeting to seek feedback from residents. That town hall has been scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Utilities Department Administration Office, 4410 66th St. W., Bradenton at 10 a.m.
Van Ostenbridge advertised the meeting as a discussion about a "West Bradenton homeless shelter" in his District 3 newsletter and in a Facebook post. On Facebook, residents criticized the official for a "misleading" description of the proposed affordable housing complex.
Speaking with board members, Gavin Naples, vice president of Tunnel to Towers, assured the board that the complex would be a first-class facility.
Commissioner George Kruse will also host a town hall meeting at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The Manatee Board of County Commissioners is expected to revisit the idea of gifting Tunnel to Towers the 8.7-acre parcel, which is valued at $6.6 million, before the end of September.
Last edited by wondermint2; 08-16-2023 at 06:34 AM..
Questions were raised at a Manatee County Commissioners meeting about a new possible affordable housing program for veterans.
Saturday, veterans and other members of the Bradenton community showed up to a town hall meeting and got their answers.
“I wanted Tunnels to Towers to come here today and in front of me look 100 residents and the community in the eye and make promises and commitments and they did that,” he continued.
“I need affordable housing,” Navy Veteran Chuck Wolfe said.
The hope is to transform the county-owned property into affordable housing for veterans like Wolfe who took a bus to the town hall meeting Saturday.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation said it’s important to note: this is a hand-up, not a handout.
“People need to want to make the change themselves,” Tunnel to Towers Foundation Vice President Gavin Naples said. “I think by and large everyone who is struggling wants to make a change. They just are unable to get to that point. They just don’t know how.”
“We are trying to provide the how,” he continued. “This is the how.”
Saturday’s town hall gave the Bradenton community the chance to ask questions and form their own opinion on the proposal.
“This is something that’s very vitally needed in our community and I think supporting is the least we can do for our veterans,” Manatee County resident John Banks said.
“The other concern people have is ‘is this going to be going to be a transient location’ and it’s not,” said Manatee County resident Jack May. “It’s not like we have a magnet for other homeless people. They won’t be allowed on site.”
After putting one housing complex on hold, Manatee County officials are considering a different plan to provide for homeless veterans.
In August, board members of the Manatee County Commission expressed concerns about a nationwide nonprofit that offered to build and operate a veteran housing facility, but they didn't reject it. Last week, they voted to begin exploring a new concept to provide former members of the military with homes.
Commissioner Jason Bearden unveiled his proposal to build a memorial park and a village of tiny homes for veterans on a vacant 24-acre lot during a recent public meeting. He pitched the project as an alternative to the first project, citing its proximity to job opportunities, a partnership with a well-known service provider and a lower cost to taxpayers.
"We're in the beginning stages of this, but we definitely would be looking at providing those wraparound services for these veterans," said Bearden, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
According to a presentation from county staff, the latest location to provide a safe place for unhoused veterans would be a county-owned property at 5431 Buckeye Road, Palmetto.
"What's great about this property is we'll have the ability to grow based on what the need is," Bearden said in an interview with the Bradenton Herald. "As conservatives, we don't need to do something big if we don't even know what the need is."
Bearden hopes to partner with St. Vincent de Paul to provide helpful services to veterans living in the village. The organization estimates that there are roughly 50 homeless veterans in Manatee County.
A cost estimate for Bearden's proposal has not been determined.
Second option for veteran housing
Staff members said they drew inspiration from Veteran Memorial Park and Museum, 3602 U.S. 301 N., Tampa, which includes 14 war memorials to past military engagements such as the Vietnam War, Operation Iraqi Freedom and World Wars I and II. The park also features walking trails, picnic pavilions and a veterans resource center.
In addition to a park area, Bearden envisions a neighborhood of tiny homes that range between 400 and 600 square feet. The homes could be tailor-made to fit the needs of certain disabled veterans, he explained.
As of Thursday evening, it is unclear where county officials stand on approving the first proposed veteran housing facility.
Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which has similar veteran housing complexes in other states, earned unanimous support from the board in April.
But as commissioners considered whether to donate the land at 4413 66th St. W., Bradenton, which is valued at roughly $6 million, they declined to make a final decision. Instead, Commissioner Van Ostenbridge said he wanted to hear from the public and called a town hall meeting to discuss the plan.
"It doesn't mean I'm a 'no' on the other project, though, just so we're clear," Van Ostenbridge said at a recent meeting. "I'm not bailing on Tunnel to Towers at this point by any means."
Cortez Road project still in play
County officials say negotiations with Tunnel to Towers are ongoing, but it is unclear when the board will vote on a land transfer contract.
After putting one housing complex on hold, Manatee County officials are considering a different plan to provide for homeless veterans.
In August, board members of the Manatee County Commission expressed concerns about a nationwide nonprofit that offered to build and operate a veteran housing facility, but they didn't reject it. Last week, they voted to begin exploring a new concept to provide former members of the military with homes.
Commissioner Jason Bearden unveiled his proposal to build a memorial park and a village of tiny homes for veterans on a vacant 24-acre lot during a recent public meeting. He pitched the project as an alternative to the first project, citing its proximity to job opportunities, a partnership with a well-known service provider and a lower cost to taxpayers.
"We're in the beginning stages of this, but we definitely would be looking at providing those wraparound services for these veterans," said Bearden, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
According to a presentation from county staff, the latest location to provide a safe place for unhoused veterans would be a county-owned property at 5431 Buckeye Road, Palmetto.
"What's great about this property is we'll have the ability to grow based on what the need is," Bearden said in an interview with the Bradenton Herald. "As conservatives, we don't need to do something big if we don't even know what the need is."
Bearden hopes to partner with St. Vincent de Paul to provide helpful services to veterans living in the village. The organization estimates that there are roughly 50 homeless veterans in Manatee County.
A cost estimate for Bearden's proposal has not been determined.
Second option for veteran housing
Staff members said they drew inspiration from Veteran Memorial Park and Museum, 3602 U.S. 301 N., Tampa, which includes 14 war memorials to past military engagements such as the Vietnam War, Operation Iraqi Freedom and World Wars I and II. The park also features walking trails, picnic pavilions and a veterans resource center.
In addition to a park area, Bearden envisions a neighborhood of tiny homes that range between 400 and 600 square feet. The homes could be tailor-made to fit the needs of certain disabled veterans, he explained.
As of Thursday evening, it is unclear where county officials stand on approving the first proposed veteran housing facility.
Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which has similar veteran housing complexes in other states, earned unanimous support from the board in April.
But as commissioners considered whether to donate the land at 4413 66th St. W., Bradenton, which is valued at roughly $6 million, they declined to make a final decision. Instead, Commissioner Van Ostenbridge said he wanted to hear from the public and called a town hall meeting to discuss the plan.
"It doesn't mean I'm a 'no' on the other project, though, just so we're clear," Van Ostenbridge said at a recent meeting. "I'm not bailing on Tunnel to Towers at this point by any means."
Cortez Road project still in play
County officials say negotiations with Tunnel to Towers are ongoing, but it is unclear when the board will vote on a land transfer contract.
Residents feel Manatee County slow to act on housing project for veterans
Manatee County commissioners have been discussing housing options for at-risk and homeless veterans in recent months.
In early August, we told you about a nearly nine-acre property off 66th St. W. in Bradenton that could be part of the solution. County commissioners are considering gifting the land, valued at about $6 million, to the New York-based Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
If the project moves forward, it could bring more than 100 units to the now county-owned property. During the August meeting, commissioners voted to push the discussion to six weeks down the line. However, that timeframe has since passed, and there still hasn’t been any action on the issue.
During a meeting Tuesday, another possible housing project for local veterans was discussed. The CEO of St. Vincent de Paul CARES presented to commissioners the possibilities for another county-owned site off Buckeye Rd.
CEO Michael Rasposa explained their housing first philosophy.
“We believe that a person is ready to be moved into housing the minute we meet them with a complete disregard for all barriers, including alcohol and drugs. That is a radical concept, but it is working at about an 87.5% success rate. Since we began this process and doing this intervention in 2012, we have served 21,715 clients in 13,215 households with an 80% success rate. The old way of doing homeless services where you take people and you fix them does not work,” said Rasposa.
Commissioners took no action following the presentation.
Commissioner Jason Bearden, who helped champion the Buckeye Rd. vision made a motion to defer all votes relating to housing for veterans until a later date, however, that motion failed.
During public comment and before that vote, multiple residents criticized commissioners for delaying action on the Tunnel to Towers project.
“Every day they are out there, their backs are up against the wall, so we need to get this done. We need to stop kicking this the road and get this done for the people that served for us,” said resident Timothy Mays.
“I don’t know why we are kicking the can down the road. There is room for both of those projects, way more than enough room. We need to move forward on Tunnels to Towers,” said resident Glen Gibellina.
Commissioner Bearden emphasized to 8 On Your Side the commission wants to move the needle forward when it comes to helping local veterans.
“Every day we wait, [there] are more veterans that remain homeless or become homeless. We can’t keep kicking this down the road for the sake of our community, for the sake of our veterans, or for the sake of Tunnel to Towers, who again have worked in good faith to move this,” said Commission Kruse.
Kruse said the project is expected to be up for a vote on Oct. 10.
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