Cedar Cove breaks ground in Bradenton

BRADENTON, Fla. — A new affordable housing development in Manatee County is giving families a fresh start. Cedar Cove, a partnership between Tampa-based developer Blue Sky Communities and Sarasota nonprofit Community Assisted & Supported Living (CASL), officially broke ground Wednesday in Bradenton.

The project will bring 80 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes to 600 Orlando Ave. The community is designed for families emerging from homelessness, with CASL providing on-site support services for 40 families, many with school-aged children.

County leaders say the project represents a major step forward in addressing the region’s growing housing needs — and it’s made possible in part by Manatee County’s Livable Manatee program.

Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse says the program helps make affordable housing developments like Cedar Cove financially feasible.

“We charge impact fees for all new development. However, for affordable, that’s very difficult because the economics are very thin,” Kruse said. “Livable Manatee essentially pays the impact fees on behalf of affordable housing projects in exchange for them providing lower-level AMI — in this case, 80% or below — and keeping those units affordable for 30 to 50 years.”

By offsetting those upfront costs, Livable Manatee encourages developers to build housing that remains affordable for decades.

This is the fourth project Blue Sky Communities has broken ground on this year. The developer completed three other affordable housing projects earlier in 2025, reflecting a growing partnership between the private and public sectors.

Blue Sky Communities President Shawn Wilson says the company’s success comes from collaboration with local governments and nonprofit agencies.

“To bring maximum benefits to residents, we partner with nonprofits that have case managers and access to other resources — that really ensures families are successful,” Wilson said.

He adds that developing affordable housing is “a labor of love” that takes more time and effort than traditional real estate projects — but one that’s deeply rewarding.

Cedar Cove has been in planning since 2019. Once complete, the development will feature three residential buildings, a clubhouse, green space and ample parking.

Commissioners say projects like this reflect Manatee County’s ongoing commitment to making housing attainable for working families, seniors and residents in crisis.

Cedar Cove is expected to open in 2026.