Manatee County Government offices are relocating to Lakewood Ranch, officials announce.

Manatee County officials have finalized a significant decision to invest million into the acquisition and renovation of a new government facility located in Lakewood Ranch. This new site, designated as the “East County Campus,” will serve as a relocation point for several county government operations currently dispersed across multiple locations.

The proposed facility is a two-story building encompassing approximately 101,000 square feet and situated on a sprawling 11-acre plot at 9000 Town Center Parkway in southeastern Manatee County. The county has entered into an agreement to purchase the property for .5 million from a company based in Delaware. An additional estimated million will be allocated for outfitting and relocating to the new site.

Manatee County plans to transfer various departments, including Development Services, Property Management, Financial Management, Government Relations, Public Works, and Natural Resources, to the new location in phases beginning later this year. This move will affect around 500 employees. In parallel, the existing administration building at 1112 Manatee Ave. W. will remain operational, maintaining departments that are closely linked to the Manatee County Courthouse in downtown Bradenton.

County officials highlighted that the transition aims to bring government services closer to areas of growth in both residential and commercial sectors. Nevertheless, the announcement met with a mixed response from residents. Some expressed concerns about the transparency of the decision-making process, with criticisms directed at limited public discourse surrounding such a substantial financial commitment.

Despite these concerns, county officials defended their decision, stating that the search for an adequate site had been ongoing for years. They argued that acquiring an existing building was a more fiscally responsible move compared to constructing a new facility from the ground up. County Administrator Charlie Bishop emphasized the urgent need for additional space due to ongoing growth.

To finance this acquisition, county commissioners opted to reallocate funds previously earmarked for a new parking garage in downtown Bradenton, which has an estimated total cost of over million. This decision indicates a shift in priorities, with some commissioners expressing optimism about potential redevelopment opportunities created by the parking garage’s sale.

Residents reacted variably, with some welcoming the financial prudence of the decision, while others voiced dissatisfaction regarding the perceived lack of opportunity for public input. The purchase is slated for completion by September, at which point departments will begin their transition to the new campus. Additionally, the county is planning future developments for a 161-acre property acquired in 2020, which will host facilities for public works operations, sheriff’s office substation, and emergency medical services.

Moving forward, the county aims to leverage this strategic realignment to better serve its growing population while addressing the logistical challenges posed by their current operational setups. This plan reflects a significant step in adapting county services to meet the evolving needs of Manatee County’s residents.