Recent Media Coverage

Historical renovation awaits ‘Pink Palace’

BRADENTON -- The Widewaters Group has accepted Bradenton’s offer of more than $1 million in incentives and an estimated $1.5 million in tax rebates to move forward with renovation of the “Pink Palace,” one of the city’s standout historic properties. “Although we were not able to secure all of the incentives that we were looking for, in the end we are agreeing to a package that works for all parties,” wrote Brian Long, director of development for Widewaters, which will convert the circa-1926 building into a Hampton Inns Suite. read more ...

Bradenton Downtown Development Authority offers $1M-plus in 'Palace' incentives

BRADENTON -- After more than a year of negotiations, the city of Bradenton is finally a day away from knowing whether downtown’s historic “Pink Palace” will become a Hampton Inn Suites. read more ...

DDA sets aside $145K more for Riverwalk

BRADENTON -- The Bradentown Downtown Development Authority on Tuesday set aside another $145,000 for the new Riverwalk, including $70,000 in seed money for a three-month grand opening effort that will kick off with the Bradenton Blues Festival in October 2012. read more ...

Realize Bradenton promotes available downtown parking

BRADENTON -- Hoping to dispel what it calls the “myth” that downtown Bradenton is short on public parking, Realize Bradenton has begun circulating maps showcasing downtown’s three garages, five lots, and on-street spaces set aside for parking. read more ...

Riverwalk groundbreaking ushers in new era for Bradenton

BRADENTON -- City leaders with eloquent statements filled the stage at Rossi Park Monday morning, but none more aptly captured the spirit of the new Riverwalk they were celebrating than a couple of citizens who ambled by. read more ...

Early morning Riverwalk groundbreaking draws hundreds to downtown Bradenton

BRADENTON -- Change was the theme at a groundbreaking Monday morning for the city’s much-anticipated Riverwalk project, as a crowd of more than 300 munched on delicacies and listened to project leaders talk of how the $6.2 million dollar effort will transform Bradenton. read more ...

Bradenton Riverwalk Groundbreaking

Monday, September 19, 8:30 AM

LOCATION Rossi Park to the east of the railroad tracks. If driving, take 3rd Ave W to the 400 block. Enter the parking lot marked by “Event” sign. Add’t parking behind Manatee Players under construction. read more ...

Waterfront Skatepark Design "A Work of Art"

In a design meeting, skaters enthusiastically approved the overall concept for the waterfront skatepark slated for the Riverwalk at Rossi Park. read more ...

‘Awesome!’ – Skate park plans unveiled

Oversized T-shirts, baggy pants, and phrases like “Getting stoked” and “Awesome!” filled Bradenton City Hall of Wednesday evening as skateboarders united with city officials to see Team Pain’s preliminary designs for the Riverwalk Skate Park. read more ...

$5,000 OK’d for Bradenton Riverwalk groundbreaking

BRADENTON -- The Downtown Development Authority on Tuesday OK’d up to $5,000 for a festive groundbreaking ceremony next month after construction on the city’s Riverwalk enhancement project officially kicked off last week.

“Try not to spend five grand,” remarked authority member Cork Miller after the board approved the expenditure.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 19, with the location still to be announced, said David Gustafson, executive director of the authority, which met at Bradenton City Hall