Deal for Leverock's, Perico marina off for now, says McClash
By Rick Catlin
Islander Reporter
The ticking time bomb of more development on Perico Island got its fuse
lit last week when Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash told Holmes
Beach city commissioners that he understood a deal was in the works to
purchase both Leverock's and the Perico Harbor Marina for a possible
condominium development.
But the fuse has gone out - at
least for now - according to McClash. He reported later in the
week that he had talked to the real estate agent involved in the potential
sale who told him that "the deal fell through."
McClash understood that the developers
wanted both properties to build a "lodge-condominium," similar
to what the Tidemark group plans to build in Holmes Beach.
While McClash said the potential
buyer was not the Arvida-St. Joe Co., which plans to build a 686-unit
condominium complex on the property adjacent to the marina, he added
that it would not surprise him if Arvida might at some point be interested
in both properties as part of an expansion.
"I don't think the
price tag of $3.9 million [for Leverock's] would bother them too
much," he said.
The Perico Harbor Marina is in
the process of obtaining a Florida Department of Environmental Protection
permit to dredge their basin to allow deep-draft boats to use the facility
and add a large number of wet slips. They would also tear down the dry
storage portion of the marina. A number of opponents of the Arvida-St.
Joe complex have suggested that Arvida plans to either buy the marina
or negotiate a deal for its residents to use the facility.
Arvida eyeing beachfront property?
On another front, Arvida could
be looking for something more than expansion or a marina.
Holmes Beach City Commissioner
Don Maloney said he's heard unconfirmed reports that Arvida might
be looking for beachfront property for a private clubhouse for its Perico
Island residents.
"I don't know anything
for certain, and I've checked officially and can't confirm
anything officially," Maloney said. "But it's obvious
they would want beachfront property for a clubhouse once they are built."
When Arvida built Harborside and
other condominium developments on Longboat Key, it purchased property
on the beach for a private clubhouse.
One property on Anna Maria Island
that could be a likely candidate for an Arvida purchase
is the beachfront on 75th Street owned by Pat and Angela
Kabris.
A portion of their property is
zoned Recreation-1 and the city commission last year denied a request
by Kabris for a zoning change to residential that would allow him to
build up to two duplexes. Following that denial, Kabris sued the commission,
although he has previously contended that if he didn't get the
zoning change, he would sell the property.
Efforts to reach Pat Kabris for
comment on any potential sale were unsuccessful by
press deadline.
R-1 zoning allows for construction of a private clubhouse
facility by a homeowners or condominium association,
including food and alcohol services. |
