Growing traffic problems and limited parking has left some Bradenton Beach business owners thinking there has to be another way.
- Proposed water taxi between Bradenton Beach and Sarasota
- Supporters say it would bring more foot traffic to the Bradenton Beach pier
- Sarasota City Commission gives conditional approval
The solution, according to Sherman Baldwin of Paradise Boat Tours, a water taxi linking the pier at Bradenton Beach to Sarasota. His proposed drop off point is the dock by the USCG Auxilery building in Centennial Park.
"Tourists would be the icing on the cake, but this is really focused on the locals and using it everyday," Baldwin explained.
Baldwin went before the Sarasota City Commission on Tuesday for the final step in a nearly two year process. The commission voted 5-0 to conditionally approve the new water taxi, meaning they could be fully operational in the next couple of months.
Local business owners are also excited about the proposition, saying it will bring more foot traffic to the Bradenton Beach pier and over into their restaurants.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar sits right at the foot of the pier and gets many of their customers from people who are just walking around the island.
"You're going to be in a good mood when you get off of a boat, right?" said owner John Horne. "You can't help but have a great time. I think its just a good symbiotic relationship between the water taxi and bridge street."
The water taxi is slated to make multiple trips a day and cost about $12.50 for a round trip ticket.