Manatee County Commissioners Decide to Retain Lena Road Property for Future County Use
The 161-acre parcel near the Lena Road landfill, initially purchased in 2020 for $32.5 million, has again taken center stage in District 3’s discussions. Despite previous considerations to sell the property for residential development, commissioners have unanimously voted to retain it for future county facilities.
The land, formerly a dairy farm, was purchased with plans to house essential county services, including a transfer station, a sheriff’s office warehouse, and public works operations. However, the property was rezoned and placed on the surplus list in 2022, with the county later negotiating with developer D.R. Horton for a $35 million sale that would have resulted in over 600 residential units.
New District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique has renewed focus on the land’s original purpose, citing the need for county services to shift eastward to align with population growth. Siddique emphasized the importance of extending the lifespan of the Lena Road landfill and ensuring that emergency services are better positioned to serve the area.
The decision to keep the property comes amid concerns over rising construction costs, which have delayed plans for county facilities. While Siddique acknowledges the challenges, he believes a phased approach is necessary to begin development.
Other commissioners, including George Kruse, agreed that while immediate construction may not be feasible, selling the land for residential use is not in the county’s best interest. Instead, they support preserving it for long-term public needs, as finding similarly sized land in the area would be increasingly difficult.
Manatee County has already begun shifting services eastward, with the Tax Collector’s Office relocating to Lakewood Ranch in 2024. While future development on the Lena Road site remains uncertain, the county’s decision ensures that the land will remain a resource for essential services in the years ahead.
