Coquina Beach Parking and Drainage Project
Posted on 09/24/2021
Currently, the Coquina Beach north parking lot and the roundhouse restroom parking lot (directly across from the Coquina North Boat Ramp) will be closed for another month, and another portion of parking on the south side of the Coquina bus stop/concession will be closed for the next three to four months.
The project began April 2019 so Manatee County could improve stormwater drainage and parking conditions.
The project is part of a two-phase project to reduce flooding at the popular public beach. Phase 1 is scheduled for completion by Spring, 2020. Once that project is complete, Phase 2 will begin with similar work being done on the north end of the parking lot. When complete, stormwater will drain more quickly, helping to address frequent flooding and standing water conditions at Coquina.
Chad Butzow, acting Public Works Director, said the project also involves striping parking spaces for 865 vehicles. An indeterminate number of cars can park there now since there are no designated spaces. Phase 2 will not impact large parking areas like Phase 1 since it can be done in smaller segments over time.
Beachgoers are recommended to use Manatee County Area Transit's popular Island Trolley to get to Coquina Beach. Riders can connect to the free trolley from MCAT's Beach Express route on Sundays and holidays.
The project will be funded largely through Tourism Development Taxes, as approved by the Tourism Development Council and the Board of County Commissioners.
The park had all shell parking without any markings to delineate parking spaces. When complete, Phase 1 provides 188 parking spaces. When Phase 2 is complete there will be a total of 865 parking spaces at Coquina Beach.