A 4.6-acre vacant waterfront property at the entrance to Madeira Beach could be transformed into a new public asset, as city officials begin shaping development plans guided by community feedback.
An expanded marina, a parking garage, restaurants, and a public park were among the development ideas residents suggested during the city’s town hall meeting on Tuesday regarding the future of the property at 155 150th Avenue, located off the Tom Stuart Causeway.
The site has remained vacant for nearly a decade following a previously approved mixed-use proposal that included a 130-room hotel, 30 residential units, and a 69-slip marina—plans that ultimately never materialized.
In October 2025, the city acquired the property for $18 million, a price well below independent appraisals that valued the site upwards of $25 million. Using cash reserves, City Commissioner Eddie McGeehen described the strategic purchase as “a great investment for the city.”
The site is designated C-4 Marina Coastal zoning, which prioritizes marine-oriented uses while allowing a range of complementary commercial uses – including boat storage and repair, retail, hotel accommodations, and residential units above commercial space.
In November 2025, Madeira Beach hosted its first round of town hall meetings to solicit public input on development concepts that could serve as a welcoming gateway to the city while delivering public benefits consistent with the site’s zoning.
Mayor Anne Marie Brooks supported an expanded community engagement effort, resulting in the scheduling of two additional town hall meetings.
The public recommended the city to take advantage of the water access by adding boat slips and dry storage, since the municipal marina’s current slips typically remain full.