Overview
- Republican Sen. Jim Boyd and Rep. Will Robinson withdrew HB 4073, which would have shifted Seaport Manatee to an independent board with most members appointed by the Governor.
- The decision follows mounting objections to a privately financed cruise terminal proposed near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge for ships that cannot clear the span.
- Developers SSA Marine and Slip Knott LLC outlined a multiberth facility on the Knott-Cowen tract, with county officials confirming only a pre-application and an early staff review.
- SSA Marine says it acquired the adjacent 710-acre Rattlesnake Key through a preservation subsidiary to prevent private commercialization and ensure conservation.
- Boyd and Robinson oppose the site on environmental grounds, pointing to past, unsuccessful efforts to fund public acquisition of Rattlesnake Key, while a resident petition surpassed 7,000 signatures on Jan. 21.