Manatee County paves way for affordable veteran housing despite mysterious smear campaign

The Manatee County Commission approved an agreement for a long-awaited project that provides housing for homeless veterans, despite a concerted effort by a mysterious group looking to block the West Bradenton facility.

The board’s unanimous approval Tuesday paves the way for a 122-unit apartment complex along Cortez Road. The project will also feature wraparound services to help veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness get back on their feet.

Tunnel to Towers Foundation will acquire the 8.7-acre parcel at 4410 66th Street West and invest $20 million in the property, the organization said. County officials plan to vacate and relocate the Utilities Department, which is based on the property, in the coming months.

According to Tunnel to Towers, the complex will feature 84 studio or 1-bedroom apartment units. There will also be 34 “comfort homes,” 525-square-foot standalone units, on the property.

Commissioners previously praised Tunnel to Towers for its interest in resolving veteran homelessness in Manatee County, but the development came under scrutiny from board members who questioned the management, eligibility and size of the proposal.

On top of those concerns, the Safe Neighborhood Alliance created an online petition and sent a letter to Manatee County residents pushing a false narrative that the site would decrease local property values, increase crime and exacerbate homelessness in the Bradenton area.

Speaking with the board during Tuesday’s public meeting, Gavin Naples, vice president of the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, denounced the Safe Neighborhood Alliance’s characterization of the development.

“If we are no longer welcome in Manatee County, we understand,” Naples said. “But I can not and I will not allow a false narrative to be spread in regard to what we are proposing here.”

Veteran organization battles smear campaign

A representative for the Safe Neighborhood Alliance did not appear on behalf of the group during Tuesday’s meeting. Commissioners also said the letters were not sent by Manatee County Government.

In addition to mislabeling the Tunnel to Towers project as a “homeless shelter,” the Safe Neighborhood Alliance also suggested that residents deserve the freedom to enjoy their community “without fear of being harassed, assaulted or even killed.”

After Naples’ presentation, residents also said they were upset to receive text messages and letters calling on them to fight back against the proposal.

“It was the most pathetic thing I’ve ever seen, to undermine this project,” said Tim Mays, a Bradenton resident. “I don’t know who they work for, but it was pathetic.”

“This is not fact. This is hysterics,” said Kathleen Cramer, CEO of Turning Points, a local organization that provides resources for the homeless population. “It is the opposite of a homeless camp. It is housing that people will live in.”

Naples also clarified other points about the project that commissioners raised in the past, such as the number of units the organization will be allowed to build and the complex’s ability to house single women and disabled veterans.

“No veteran should be left out on the streets of the ones they signed up to protect,” Naples said.

Manatee OKs veteran housing land donation

After discussing the issue for more than two hours, Tunnel to Towers earned the Board of County Commissioners’ unanimous support.

“We do want you here. We do welcome you here,” said Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who held a town hall meeting in August that referred to the project as a West Bradenton homeless shelter. “The entire board wants you here, and we want to make this work.”

But Tunnel to Towers and its partner organization U.S. VETS faced a series of pointed questions from commissioners who expressed concern about several issues, including the number of proposed units and the county’s ability to reclaim the property if management is poor.

“I owe it to everyone to be sure we get as much in this contract before it’s signed, as possible,” said Commissioner James Satcher, who pushed for a hard 122-unit cap.

According to Tunnel to Towers, there are about 38,000 veterans in Manatee County. The organization also estimates that between 80 and 120 of them are “chronically homeless.”

Naples explained that the group chose to pursue a 122-unit apartment complex because the site will also cater to veterans who do not fall into the traditional homeless category. Tunnel to Towers will also provide housing for former service members who are living with relatives or struggling to make ends meet, he said.

Manatee County commissioners previously pledged $15 million to create the government’s own veteran housing facility, but the plan fell apart due to the high costs associated with remodeling the Old Jail in downtown Bradenton.

Commissioner Jason Bearden, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, also questioned some of the contract language. In a previous interview with the Bradenton Herald, he also signaled that he had been unhappy with the negotiation process.

“I know it’s been a long process, but we’re stewards of taxpayers dollars and we want to ensure that at the end of the day, we don’t see the effects in the future,” said Bearden.

Other commissioners said they approved of the contract language with slight modifications, adding a requirement that the housing will be reserved for Manatee and Sarasota County residents and removing a line that required county approval for third-party vendors on the site.

“I don’t think it’s a conservative way to go about it to be micromanaging the services at a private nonprofit,” said Commissioner Amanda Ballard.

“Their reputation and their funds are going to ensure they put in proper management,” said Commissioner George Kruse, who also described the Safe Neighborhood Alliance letter as “propaganda.” “I 100% know that we’re trusting the right people here.”

Tunnel to Towers hopes to open its veteran housing facility by the end of 2024.