Manatee County commission backs buying Bright House, ABC Liquor buildings

Manatee County Commissioners unanimously approved purchasing two buildings that will be used by the Manatee Sheriff's Office and Manatee County Tax Collector's Office.

The board approved spending $2.9 million to purchase and renovate the former Bright House Networks building at 3500 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. The Sheriff's Office plans to use the facility for Child Protective Services. It also proposed using a state grant to provide a lease payment to cover the annual debt service for the purchase price.

Commissioners also unanimously agreed to the $375,000 purchase of the former ABC Liquor building at 904 W. 301 Blvd., Bradenton. The 7,582-square-foot building is located less than half a mile west of the sheriff's headquarters. The county will demolish the building and construct a new 8,500-square-foot building. The tax collector's office will reimburse the county from excess fees returned to the county each year.