The City of Madeira Beach held a Town Hall Nov. 15 to hear residents’ ideas on how to transform the newly purchased $18 million parcel.
Photo by Trei Johnson
This was not your typical Saturday morning in Madeira Beach. On Nov. 15, neighbors put down the lawn mowers and skipped the beach to attend a rare town hall meeting.
The topic? How to use a prime parcel on 150th Avenue that the City purchased in October for $18 million.
The property sits beside the Madeira Beach Marina at the base of the drawbridge on 150th Avenue. City officials wanted immediate public input, so they held a resident-driven workshop led by Interim City Manager Clint Belk.
Madeira Beach purchased the land sitting adjacent to the City’s municipal marina for $18 million in October.
Photo by Trei JohnsonResidents Speak on $18 Million Parcel at Madeira Beach Town Hall
A red-boxed microphone bounced through the room and sparked a wave of bold suggestions.
Many residents pushed for a waterfront restaurant paired with marina expansion, echoing successful models in Clearwater. They referenced Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina, which offers fishing charters, sailing excursions, dolphin tours, parasailing, jet-ski rentals, restaurants, a mini-mart, laundry services, and a bait house.
Neighbors urged Madeira Beach to adopt similar features and elevate its own waterfront identity.
People dreamed big. Several described lazy rivers, family water parks, and deep-water slips for 50-foot yachts. They mentioned forklift service, boat staging areas, and trained operators to handle increased volume.
Instead, they pushed for high-end dry storage designed to attract elite clientele without blocking public access. Many cited Clearwater’s open, family-friendly atmosphere as the model to emulate.
Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks attended the Town Hall, hearing residents’ ideas of how the newly purchased parcel should be used.
Photo by Trei JohnsonEnvisioning Accessibility
Residents focused heavily on accessibility. They recommended ADA-friendly sidewalks under the bridge to connect nearby parks. They said proper placement could avoid expensive railings.
Shade also dominated discussion. People requested triangular coverings to cool walking areas and protect visitors. Others called for bike racks, navigation dredging, and jetty trail upgrades. They want the area to support wheelchairs, kayakers, anglers, and daily walkers.
The debate around “high and dry” facilities continued, with several suggesting longer docks to stage boats more efficiently.
Residents imagined the property becoming a vibrant waterfront hub. They pictured pristine floating docks, a lively mix of charter boats, and al fresco dining with sweeping bay views. They also envisioned shaded promenades that link beaches, bridges, and marinas.
Amenities would blend leisure and luxury, attracting crowds the way Clearwater draws visitors from around the world.
Madeira Beach City staff held a Town Hall Nov. 15. Popular choices included a water park with a lazy river, restaurants, park connectors, and plenty of shade.
Photo by Trei JohnsonA Closing Note on Transparency
As the microphone made its final rounds, the room shifted from energy to gratitude.
“Transparency is key,” Belk said as he closed the meeting.
With residents steering the conversation, the City’s new $18 million investment now carries a shared vision.
The meeting offered a clear message: Madeira Beach can build a vibrant, inclusive, and profitable waterfront without sacrificing its welcoming character.
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