Kemp said its very emotional. "As professionals in real estate in this room, I would encourage you, if you have any interest in Fort Myers Beach, that you read these iterations as they come forward. Our prediction is for a dramatic improvement of the island by the time we open, late 2023. Were open for business and slinging some shrimp, said Holzapfel. Lee County announced that several beach parksLynn Hall Memorial Park, San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve, Bonita Beach Park and Bonita Beach Accesses 1 to 10would reopen on Saturday. Youre right Lauren, so sad. Crews are plowing through the sand up and down Southwest Floridas coast to collect the dead fish washing ashore from red tide. There were people excited about Margaritaville since long before the last hurricane season, but now theres added weight to updates on the resorts progress. New Lee County home deals soar while Collier, other areas sinking big. Will Margaritaville, Lani Kai on Fort Myers Beach push on in Hurricane Ian aftermath? In order to recover, we need to stimulate our economy by getting our visitors back so that they can spend their dollars in our local businesses, said Tamara Pigott, director of the Visitor & Convention Bureau for Fort Myers Beach. Sold: 4 beds, 3.5 baths, 3000 sq. Im sure theyll be something there for everyone I dont have the money to rebuild it, so I will be grateful for all that do. Absolutely, I would also like to know what are they going to donate if any to bring our beach back to what it once was?? Home for Sale: 988 sq. A modern luxury flip-flop community, a paradise, said Torgerson, calling out to the rest of the audience, "A new gold rush is on in Southwest Florida, please come join us and participate. All of the older ground level structures will live by the same ordinance and Im sure the mobile home industry will be affected as well. I live about 10 miles from FMB and there was something amazing each time I got to the top of that bridge and looked out over the beach and Gulf. As to Margaritaville, we are fortunate to be right at the base of the bridge upon arrival to FMB. ft. house located at 574 Estero Blvd, FORT MYERS BEACH, FL 33931 sold for $2,200,000 on Mar 2, 2023. TPI Chief Operating Officer Robert Kisabeth, standing near the side of the beach where a pool and beach club will be situated for the resort, vowed the construction would be done by the end of the year, no question.. Wont happen Sue, the FMB we knew is gone. Property rights, folks. Please enjoy the live beach cams and traffic cams below for a real-time peek at what's happening on Fort Myers Beach! We will ensure a great working environment, more of a family environment, and that will be coupled with likely the best tipped income environment in the greater area. FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. A Fort Myers Beach condo building that's sitting just a few feet away from the Gulf of Mexico is getting a much-needed barrier of protection. So when the right developer applies for a variance its no telling what may happen. I totally agree And really wonder how in Gods name that got passed in the 1st place!!! Sign up below to receive exclusive offers and updates. It seems to be a little bit of misunderstanding about the six-foot berm or six-and-a-half-foot berm. to be Big buildings like yours will take over and fort myers beach will never be the same when people start building. 7:50 PM EST, Mon January 23, 2023 A A FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. - The sounds of construction echo around Fort Myers Beach, particularly at the Margaritaville resort, which is an obvious. It was clear that they were going to help the town come back. So, sheetrock is going in as we speak. This happens every time a hurricane ravages and older beach community. Before the 2020 construction of the digs, land records show the property sold for $800,000 in 2018. The resort should be done by now, the developer laments. Beach recovery Advisories Posted on: January 28, 2023 You may be eligible for a property tax refund This might be great for Jimmys wallet but it definitely was not needed on a beach that is a two-lane road already congested with people going to the beach normally. 1,768 Sq. She said we are so proud to be part of the Fort Myers Beach community and with our amazing support from these guys., Dammermann said Margaritaville is coming back strong. A fish kill is filling up the water in Southwest Florida. What is the hope there, and what would it mean, not only to TPI and fans, but for Fort Myers Beach and residents? ", "Estero Island will be a Caribbean-like island with the comforts and safety you only find in the USA, no passports required. to Mantanzas Pass bridge, there were seventeen mobile home parks. As construction on Margaritaville pushes on, so does the message of remaining Fort Myers Beach strong, according to Holzapfel. Souder doesnt anticipate that many of those people will return, especially with new building codes that will require properties to be raised above flood elevation. What do you have in mind for workers? Speaking to building our Margaritaville Operations Team, we continue to be confident our ability to attract the best talent still exists. The legal action in Minnesota's U.S. District Court against TPI, Torgerson and others seeks to "recover losses (and) obtain monetary and appropriate or remedial relief.". The tent is going to be an adult entertainment nightclub. "The beachneeded a revamp, or it was going to turn into Daytona.". A tent pitched on Fort Myers Beach has many people asking what is underneath. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Right now, reality is the vacant buildings and empty lots on the north end of Fort Myers Beach where the Margaritaville Resort is supposed to go. So four decades, down to five years, plus or minus. Situated within walking distance are a number of restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and bars, and near the new Margaritaville Resort. agree! The. corridor explodes: 24chains, diners, apartments, more coming, Most expensive home in Naples history sells for $62M, shatters record, 'Astounding numbers' putSWFL on top nationally for rent increases, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Id have to look into what recourse Constituents have if any. The tent is going to be an adult entertainment nightclub. The structure was completely intact, Kisabeth said of the impact from Hurricane Ian. According to property rights, The character of Fort Myers Beach can be determined by who owns property there, not by a mob. Where the average family could afford a hotel room. On Friday, that resiliency strengthened, according to Allers, by the number of jobs the nationwide resort will bring. The economic impact that is going to have plus the 200 plus jobs that they are talking about is going to be great for our residents, Allers said. On Friday, the Margaritaville Resort on Fort Myers Beach was one step closer to opening. Former Fuccillo Kia part of liquidation that includes jet, other sales | In the Know, In the Know: Your questions about new Costco, Trader Joe's coming to SWFL, Sprouts prepares debuts on Cape, Fort Myers; plans to double Fla. sites, Pandemic-driven 'reboot' for Mercato: possible breweries, expanded plaza, Flurry of Founders Square firsts; hot Collier corner; and latest on Buc-ee's land, 'Musclingthrough challenges.' I feel bad for the people who live there. Right Steve, FMB wont disappear, but it wont be the same for the reasons you state. Fort Myers Beachs environmental services, along with FDEP, [], If you thought February was warm across southwest Florida, well you were right! Affordable housing shortage has long been a problem in SWFL. Its a big week for us, said Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers. At a ceremony held Friday near the Waistina Way (like the Jimmy Buffet song Margaritaville) beach access which the developers gave the town along with a new parking lot in exchange for its Canal St. beach access, TPI celebrated construction on its Margaritaville buildings being completed on the top floor. While it appears there were no injuries to any of our co-workers, the scars experienced in and around both properties are significant. FORT MYERS WINK News' March to a Million Meals raises more than $536K In a post, Margaritaville said, "we are viewing this as the highest impact issue for our resort." WINK News asked. But, it will become a playground for the rich.". This Caribbean themed island resort is well known for its relaxed vibe and popular brand. In retrospect, the CPS could have saved most of the downtown area of FMB, not from the flooding, but from the structural devastation the waves of Ian caused. Totally agree!! The good news is everyone knows supply chain is an issue across the country. We are so devastated seeing what hurricane Ian left behind. FMB: It's locals' shorthand for Fort Myers Beach, one of Lee County's sassiest, saltiest, most get-down communities. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Home News Local Lee County Margaritaville resort looks to serve as beacon for rebuilding Fort Myers Beach. "Im happy to report that we are now back to our pre-Ian construction workforce and we continue to make progress.". Real estate values to challenge those on a square foot basis of Naples. God bless all of SWFL. Nearby Recently Sold Homes. SOLD FEB 15, 2023. For Sale: 2 beds, 2 baths 940 sq. He could have built it over the other side of the bridge rather than right at that point. It Jimmys companies just franchise the name just like Budweiser at NFL games. The 2022-2023 season, however, brings a bit of panache to traditional FMB conceptions as the town spiffs up and gets a . 'Old Florida is gone' but what will new Southwest Florida look like post-Ian? I am here to tell you, profoundly, that we dont know, Kisabeth said at the topping-off ceremony Friday. Margaritaville work in SW Florida, You asked: In the Know: Answering your questions about Margaritavilleand CinBistro, Plus: In the Know: Monster projects altering the commercial landscape of5hotspots. This week, the town council unanimously approved two projects. TPI for over a decade has been at the top of Best Places To Work in Minnesota, we have every intention that same positive work culture will exist at Margaritaville. Now the corporate wolves will move in. And, of course, there's spring training baseball. Fort Myers reported its 2nd warmest February on record, as our average temperature, a combination of the morning low & afternoon high, was 73.7. It is an impact Mayor Allers said will strengthen the surrounding beach community. Do it. Concerns with car jamsstill haven't gone away, as a few of you have shared with me or via social media. The atmosphere of Times Sq. ANSWER: The opportunity now exists for the Town to address factors such as parking and housing for the community. The video in the link below illustrates the unbelievable devastation in and around the Fort Myers Beach area. Its truly a benefit to the entire island, said Allers. The questions asked and our responses are below. The Lee County Health Department said that the waters near Lynn Hall Memorial Park, near Time Square, were tested and have alert levels of Red Tide. Obviously there are some that are gonna take a little bit longer, some that took on more damage, some that lost everything.. Ellen Vaughan (left to right), Bobbi Kemp and Tracy Dammermann. We have been boots on the ground ever since the day after the storm, helping in any way we can. The questions asked and our responses are below. All the beach residents to sign the waivers are the easements, I should say, the 15-year easements to be able to do the berm as well as the beach renourishment, Allers said. Ill be honest. I'm from the Midwest. Seriously, Times Sq. More specifically, sand. We went for the exact reason you are all commenting on. I think that Fort Myers Beach will change just like everyone is thinking, but I also think it will just draw a different crowd. All rights reserved. Margaritaville Fort Myers Beach; All TPI Opportunities; Contact; COMING SOON! Ill ever sit for 2 hours to go there now. The proposed class action raises questions about dealings tied to TPI Hospitality Co-CEO Tom Torgerson, who has been the force behind the complex due to debut by the end of the year that was delayed by Hurricane Ian. However, much interest exists by property owners and local developers to rebuild the downtown area fast and in the most impressive manner possible. Our top priority at Margaritaville is the safety of our community and team, and joining our neighbors in the rebuilding of Fort Myers Beaches. Really, what this means for the construction of the building is that theyre topped off, and theyre dry. Margaritaville Beach Hotel Pensacola Beach Perched majestically on the white sands of the Gulf Shore, representing casual luxury and an elevated hotel experience Call +1 850-916-9755 Visit Website Book Now Hollywood Beach, FL Margaritaville Beach Resort Hollywood Beach As more people start to pile into the area, and beaches reopen, the fish kill will become a bigger problem. Theyll just call it a day. When are they ready? New buildings would be a blessing. Between poor water quality and damage from Hurricane Ian, this years wildlife surveys hold extra weight, and researchers are paying special attention to Floridas winter shorebird count. Fort Myers Beach would have been fine without Margaritaville. Fox 4's Colton Chavez was on Fort Myers Beach where the new Margaritaville Resort marked a major milestone. Its 200 plus jobs coming back to our island alone, said Allers. A SWFL Margaritaville mystery comes to light. Allers said they celebrate each business that has reopened since Ian. The only February hotter was in 2018, with an average temperature of 74.9. They dont give a rats behind about character or loss of charm. Sadly, like you say, time to move on. was the commercial heart of FMB. Allison Christian faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty, according to an arrest report. A Margaritaville resort on Fort Myers Beach is getting closer to becoming a reality. SWFL: Flurry of Founders Square firsts; hot Collier corner; and latest on Buc-ee's land, In the Know: 'Musclingthrough challenges.' The town had suffered under Charley. A close up of the Margaritaville Resort after Hurricane Ian came ashore, Some photos of the construction before Hurricane Ian hit the Fort Myers Beach area. Theres even less housing now. Fort Myers Beach is in the process of rebuilding to be stronger than ever. How much should your insurance company pay, and can an adjuster stack on costs? Here is drone footage taken by Brian Kennedy on Monday before the rain came. And:'Old Florida is gone' but what will new Southwest Florida look like post-Ian? Margaritaville on Fort Myers Beach taking shape including pedestrian overpass. What did structures resistance tell you? In Naples, city council authorized the city manager to spend up to $100,000 to expedite the cleanup of dead fish within the city waterways []. He said that Fort Myers Beach has a chance to start over with a clean slate, "I do you believe that Fort Myers Beach will become a playground for the rich. I was there 4 months ago with my family and friends. Margaritaville on Fort Myers Beach taking shape including pedestrian overpass. Jimmy dont care. We are going to send people down to you, they aren't going to want to eat Margaritaville all the time, said Holzapfel. "From McGregor Blvd. With more open areas now available and you folks have shown you can secure the resources, what consideration might be given to expanding or constructing satellites? Photo by Nathan Mayberg. At 17 feet above the Earth, the overpass comes with public restrooms to go with a pair of elevators and stairways. I know our visitors will come back, Liszak said. The Lee County Health Department said that the waters near Lynn Hall Memorial Park, near Time Square, were tested and have alert levels of Red Tide. I stayed at the Lighthouse each summer, Right across the street as you know. Support Democracy andsubscribe to a newspaper. Fort Myers Beach is in the process of recovering from Hurricane Ian. Growth: Pine Island Rd. 2023 www.naplesnews.com. In the annual CCIM Real Estate Outlook Conference this past January, I sat in a room full of commercial realtors and developers listening to some speakers on the rebuilding of Fort Myers Beach. Thanks, Well I hate to burst the bubble but with the 10ft rebuild flood elevations FMB, Sanibel, Captiva and other coastal areas will never be the same. It's really, really sad. "At the time of Ian, we were already into probably a three to four decade organic redevelopment of the island. The resort celebrated its topping-off ceremony, a celebration that marks the finishing touches. Keep up on the progress of construction on the TPI-Fort Myers Beach Facebook page The decision led some folks, like Margaritaville, to become quite alarmed. Demographics will be high, in terms of energy level, people, and wealth. MLS# 223001772. He has the means to do it, and it would be a good investment as nobody is going to want to come down there for one hotel when everything else is leveled. This should help build the beach back better than ever and cost $25 million. Thi. The city needs a height ordinance for buildings. What we know, In the Know:Is Indiana emerging as more desirable than Southwest Florida? Love these resorts clean and updated, unlike the old moldy smell of hotels that were not updated. Construction of the connection occurredoffsite as workers prepared the skyway'sslot for thedrop-in during the wee hours of Friday,Torgerson said. And: In the Know: Buckeyetied to $27M Neptune Inn purchase on Fort Myers Beach, Plus: How climate change-induced wildfires, Trump trade, tariff warsaffected economy. The berm, the emergency berm, is the one that were talking about. In those mobile home parks today, there are less than 1000 that still remain. I will reserve my criticism until I see what JB does. In Naples, city council authorized the city manager to spend up to $100,000 to expedite the cleanup of dead fish within the city waterways []. shoutout, Community remembers Fort Myers Chief Derrick Diggs at Fort Myers memorial service, CenturyLink has left Estero residents without phone or internet for over 3 months, Fort Myers High School hosts annual Unified Basketball Game. I guess I support the building code because its is a barrier island, Structures should be built for a cat 4/5 hurricane and unfortunately thats very very expensive but we hope to never see peoples homes wiped out and loss of life like this again. Want to put covenants on your own property so a Margaritaville type development cant be built on it?