We, the concerned residents of Manatee County, call upon the Manatee County Commission to reject the reckless and dangerous revisions to the Fort Hamer Commons plan, previously known as Travis-55. These changes are not minor tweaks; they present significant threats to the safety, well-being, and economic stability of our community.

What’s at stake?

The proposal by Medallion calls for a staggering increase to 496 dwelling units, including multi-story family housing, and an expansion of up to 300,000 square feet of commercial space. While this development may benefit the few, it will undoubtedly place an unsustainable burden on our already strained infrastructure, particularly at the Fort Hamer Road and Mulholland Road intersection, which remains misclassified as an Urban Collector.

We have serious concerns about the lack of proper representation, environmental impact, and safety risks associated with this project:

1. We are an unrepresented district. Since April, District 1 has been without an elected representative. Our voices are not being heard, yet we continue to pay taxes. We demand that any decision or debate on this plan be delayed until our district is properly represented. It’s a matter of fairness and constitutional rights.
2. Mulholland Road is misclassified. It is currently designated as an Urban Collector, but it is a dead-end road with no secondary exit. This classification is inaccurate and never should have been applied during the approval of the 2015 project.
3. Flood risks have not been adequately assessed. The flood studies used are outdated. Our neighborhoods were severely impacted by Tropical Storm Debby, with flooding on Fort Hamer Rd at Williams Elementary, Golf Course Rd, US301 and Upper Manatee River Road leaving many areas inaccessible. A new, comprehensive flood study must be conducted to fully assess the risks.
4. Dangerous conditions for children. The proposed commercial development is located near Williams Elementary, where hundreds of children walk or ride their bikes daily. Increased commercial traffic poses a serious risk to their safety, along with increased bus traffic for other nearby schools.
5. Fort Hamer Road cannot handle the added traffic. More than 1,000 additional cars would cause daily gridlock. We already experience severe traffic congestion, with it taking over 20 minutes to travel just 1.5 miles over the Fort Hamer Bridge on a normal day. This would only worsen with an influx of new residents and businesses. A traffic study needs to be completed before any development is proposed. 
6. Our property values will plummet. A 300,000-square-foot commercial space, the size of a Super Walmart, will bring constant light and noise pollution. This will undoubtedly decrease property values in our residential areas. This area is surrounded by residential neighborhoods, with no commercial space. There is ample commercial space just 2 miles away on the 301 corridor. 
7. Our neighborhoods will be less safe. A massive commercial complex will bring in individuals who do not live in our community, increasing the potential for crime and reducing our sense of security.
8. Chelsea Oaks neighborhood deserves protection. This community has been established for nearly 20 years, and we already have two entrances and exits. We firmly reject the proposed emergency access being added to our neighborhood. This was removed in the 2015 General Development Plan (GDP) and should not have been quietly reintroduced.

Take action now.

Our homes, our safety, and our way of life are at risk. We urge the Manatee County Commission to reject the proposed revisions to the Fort Hamer Commons plan and take the time necessary to assess the real impacts on traffic, flooding, safety, and our community’s future.

Sign this petition to protect our neighborhoods and ensure that development happens responsibly, with the voice of the people fully represented.