Developer moves forward on condo and marina project

A Sarasota development firm is proposing building hundreds of condominiums and a private marina on a 12-acre tract adjacent to Hawks Harbor in Manatee County.

Martel Realty's Blu Harbor plans call for 212 condos in four seven-story buildings and a 132-slip marina, along with other amenities, on land along Tamiami Trail that has been designated as an “urban corridor” intended to spur further redevelopment.

Martel is seeking to modify an existing development plan to reduce the number of residential units and “be more attractive” to buyers in the planned gated community.

“We area excited to be the first project to be part of the new urban corridor plan and look forward to helping revitalize the surrounding area and hopefully spark additional redevelopment,” says a project spokeswoman in a statement.

Martel expects to present plans for Blu Harbor to the county's Planning Commission in the next few weeks. The proposal also includes a private yacht club with a swimming pool, a fitness center, a boardwalk and walking trails. The marina would also contain dual fresh and saltwater marinas with easy access to Sarasota Bay, and the community would have golf privileges at a nearby, unspecified country club.

Price points for the condominiums were not released.

Blu Harbor development team members say the proposal would increase area property values and generate new taxes that would help complete continued county-desired infrastructure projects.