It will cost $377,000 to knock down the old Neptune resort on Estero Boulevard. The resort owner has chosen Extreme Demolition to do the work which is expected to take until the end of March once it begins, according to the resort owners.
The resort was a total loss after Hurricane Ian made landfall in September of 2022. It has sat untouched since the storm with the owners working through the process of getting new plans approved by the town.
Last Month the Fort Myers Beach Town Council voted 4-1 to approve a new 71-unit resort hotel on the property at 2310 Estero Boulevard. Mayor Dan Allers voted against the project because it increases the density of the hotel by 100%. The LPA approved the project unanimously back in November. Permitting is expected to take 6-8 months and construction could take up to 2 years.
The pre-Ian Neptune had 3 buildings that were between 2 and 3 stories and 2 pools. There were 71 units. The new Neptune will have 148 units and the building will be 6 floors (4 over two levels of parking). There will be a restaurant that is open to the public that seats 150 people with indoor and outdoor seating. And, if the owners can make it work, the resort will include a restroom that is open to the public (or contribute $30,000 toward a town owned public bathroom) and a 20% discount for residents on food and beverage.
The height of the building will be 51 feet from base flood elevation. The proposed development will be a total of 129,925 square feet. There are two access points on Estero Blvd and one point of only egress from Delmar. The proposal includes 164 parking spaces plus an additional 16 that would be deeded over to the town as public benefit. Those parking spaces could generate as much as $350,000 in annual parking revenue for the town.
