FREE
VOL 16 No. 19
March 9, 2016
The Center is debt free On Feb. 29, Center officials paid off the mortgage that has plagued them for years.
Move your clocks forward one hour this weekend!
BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Hallelujahs are in order – The Center’s mortgage has been paid off! “I’m over the moon!” Executive Director Kristen Lessig declared. “This is the first win in the 15 months that I’ve been here. It’s a freeing, exciting feeling. Now we can move forward.” Lessig said negotiations with mortgage holder BB&T Bank have been ongoing, and the deal was sealed on Monday morning, Feb. 29. Funding came through the Manatee Community Foundation allowing Center officials to pay $300,000 on the $1.1 million they owed on the building. The deal will save the Center $100,000 per year. “BB&T worked with us to make this happen as a way to support the community,” Lessig explained. see center, page 39
Waterline ready to set sail with new permit Initial plans were to complete the project by November 2016, but that has been revised to January 2017. BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – In a project where patience is a virtue, Waterline has finally received a building permit. Waterline, located near the intersection of Marina and Gulf drives, will be the Island’s first full service hotel. Mainsail Lodging and Development, of Tampa, is developing the project. “It’s very exciting,” Mainsail President Joe Collier declared. “Everybody will be pleased when they see it rise from the ashes. It’s been a long time coming. I think people will be impressed by the product.
Spring breakers flip for AMI
CINDY LANE | SUN
Natalie DiCicco, left, and Jessica Kelleher practice yoga on the beach while visiting Anna Maria Island on spring break from Wake Forest.
see waterline, page 42
INSIDE
Grayhawk:
NEWS 4 OPINION 6 Sun survey 7 business 14 outdoors 26-27 restaurants 32-33 real estate 34-40 police reports, obits 44
WHO WANTS TO LET THE DOGS IN?
Windows, doors and so much more. 14
AMOB ON THE PIER. 4
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Welcome to our world: Tourism slogans through the years. 24-25
The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper
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