SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – The Florida Maritime Museum, documenting Florida’s the rich history of Florida’s fishing and maritime industry, is still reeling from the effects of last year’s hurricane, officials said Tuesday.
Sitting on the Cortez Nature Preserve, the site, purchased with funds from the Florida Communities Trust Preservation 2000 Program and the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, is closed for the necessary rehabilitation of its 1912 Schoolhouse home.
Design work for the restoration of the building is underway, the county said Tuesday, addressing both prior site deterioration and damage sustained during the 2024 hurricane season, which included Hurricanes Debbie, Helene and Milton.
The project design is currently approximately 30% complete with full construction plans to be finished by summer 2026 and construction tentatively finishing by late fall 2027.
Design work for the restoration of the buildings is underway, addressing both prior site deterioration and damage sustained during the 2024 hurricane season, which included Hurricanes Debbie, Helene and Milton.(Florida Maritime Museum)
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