NEWS BRIEFS

+ District releases schedule to pay back schools
The Manatee County School District released a schedule Aug. 20 to repay money it took from individual schools’ internal accounts.

This spring, district leadership borrowed roughly $1.4 million from school savings accounts amid a growing budget deficit.

Eligible district accounts to pay off the deficit included athletic-department funds, after-school program money, vending machine revenue, lost- or damaged-book money and revenue from school pictures and yearbooks.

Money parents contributed for specific items, including clubs, and funds acquired through fundraisers could not be touched.

The repayment plan released Tuesday pays back 33% of borrowed funds this year.
School principals already have access to those funds.

The district’s goal is to repay 100% of the funds by July 31, 2015.

Superintendent Rick Mills hopes to have the flexibility to do so, as he has promised to meet the state-required $10.3 million in reserves by next July.

+ River Club Plaza announces new tenants
The developer for River Club Plaza, a 245-acre project at the southeast intersection of State Road 70 and Interstate 75, announced a new wave of tenants Aug. 22.

Casto, the plaza’s developer, recently received commitments from AIO Cellular, Amscot, Holistic for Pets and Popi’s Place.

Popi’s Place, a restaurant with Greek and American food, will add its fifth restaurant to Manatee County — the first location is in East County.

“We’re really excited about all of our tenants, but we’re especially happy to get Popi’s Place,” said Casto’s John Hutchens, asset manager for the project.

Tenants already open include GNC, Menchie’s, Texas Roadhouse, Tire Choice, Hungry Howie’s, Matress One and a Walmart Supercenter.

Other previously announced commitments include Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse, Hair Cuttery, Cutting Loose, Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies and Nail Art & Spa.

Hutchens said the plaza, which runs parallel to I-75 and extends south to Linger Lodge Road and east toward the Braden Woods community, is now more than 90% leased.

The last remaining spaces are: a 1,600-square-foot inline space; a 1.5 acre space behind the building that Popi’s Place will fill; and a 1.3 acre standalone building at the front of the plaza, by Texas Roadhouse, Tire Choice and Hungry Howie’s.

Casto also sold a 1.5 acre space adjacent to Hungry Howie’s, but the buyer has asked to remain confidential.

Hutchens expects all of the tenants to be open for business by the end of the year.

Meetings & Agendas
• Manatee County School Board Public Hearing (2013-14 Budget) — 1 p.m. Aug. 29, at 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Land-Use Meeting — 9 a.m. Sept. 5, at the Manatee County Government Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton