real estate along the Manatee River
Development marches up the Manatee River
By TOM ARTHUR
tom.arthur@heraldtribune.com
MANATEE COUNTY -- Thirty years on the Manatee River have taught Mark Stukey a thing or two about the wildlife along the waterfront.
On still nights, he can hear the cry of coyotes in woods across the river from his home.But he also knows their existence is threatened by the hundreds of homes being built along what is some of the last undeveloped waterfront property in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
The growth is already changing the look and feel of the river, and some fear it could affect the entire ecosystem.
When bulldozers cleared land for a housing development, wild boars dashed across Stukey's property and onto Upper Manatee River Road, where some were struck by cars.
When heavy rains fall, the river swells much more quickly than it once did, a sign that more storm water is being funneled into it with each passing year.
Like many people who live along the river, Stukey is alarmed by the growing number of rooftops jutting over the tree line."They've got to stop," he said. "They can't be putting houses on every square inch."
But that's exactly what is happening, even east of Interstate 75, where less than a decade ago a mobile home park was the only development along the river.
Over the years, thousands of homes have gone up in developments such as River Wilderness, River Woods, Twin River and Waterlefe.
A half-dozen proposed developments along the upper reaches of the river are approved or pending approval by county planners.
If built as proposed, it will add another 1,000 homes.A proposed bridge across the river at Fort Hamer Road and a planned high school nearby will drastically alter the character of what has been a favorite swimming hole for generations of Manatee County residents.
The frenzy to build is being fueled by a number of factors. The land is zoned for multi-unit developments, and the river offers a short boat trip to the Gulf for boaters.
"People love the water," said Tina Underwood, a Realtor with Re/Max properties. "And they love their boats. That's what people come to Florida for."
All of the attention from developers is driving up the asking prices.Underwood has listed a small waterfront home on a half-acre for $1.8 million. The current owners paid $107,000 seven years ago.
See the rest of the article here:http://www.sarasotaherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050710/NEWS/50710007
By TOM ARTHUR
tom.arthur@heraldtribune.com
MANATEE COUNTY -- Thirty years on the Manatee River have taught Mark Stukey a thing or two about the wildlife along the waterfront.
On still nights, he can hear the cry of coyotes in woods across the river from his home.But he also knows their existence is threatened by the hundreds of homes being built along what is some of the last undeveloped waterfront property in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
The growth is already changing the look and feel of the river, and some fear it could affect the entire ecosystem.
When bulldozers cleared land for a housing development, wild boars dashed across Stukey's property and onto Upper Manatee River Road, where some were struck by cars.
When heavy rains fall, the river swells much more quickly than it once did, a sign that more storm water is being funneled into it with each passing year.
Like many people who live along the river, Stukey is alarmed by the growing number of rooftops jutting over the tree line."They've got to stop," he said. "They can't be putting houses on every square inch."
But that's exactly what is happening, even east of Interstate 75, where less than a decade ago a mobile home park was the only development along the river.
Over the years, thousands of homes have gone up in developments such as River Wilderness, River Woods, Twin River and Waterlefe.
A half-dozen proposed developments along the upper reaches of the river are approved or pending approval by county planners.
If built as proposed, it will add another 1,000 homes.A proposed bridge across the river at Fort Hamer Road and a planned high school nearby will drastically alter the character of what has been a favorite swimming hole for generations of Manatee County residents.
The frenzy to build is being fueled by a number of factors. The land is zoned for multi-unit developments, and the river offers a short boat trip to the Gulf for boaters.
"People love the water," said Tina Underwood, a Realtor with Re/Max properties. "And they love their boats. That's what people come to Florida for."
All of the attention from developers is driving up the asking prices.Underwood has listed a small waterfront home on a half-acre for $1.8 million. The current owners paid $107,000 seven years ago.
See the rest of the article here:http://www.sarasotaherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050710/NEWS/50710007
posted by Marc Rasmussen at
9:45 AM
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