The Freeland Group will go before the Fort Myers Beach Town council Monday for their first of 2 public hearings to present their plan to completely remake 5 acres of property they own under the Matanzas Pass Bridge. If approved, The Arches will transform the area from a somewhat sleepy boatyard to a bustling hub of activity with hotels, restaurants, shops, a pedestrian plaza and a bayfront promenade that replaces “stark, dry storage barns with attractive coastal architecture.”
One year ago Moss Marina owner Ben Freeland saw the writing on the wall and pulled The Arches redevelopment project before it could be rejected. He went back to the drawing board, hired The Neighborhood Company, and knocked off 140 rooms.
Last month the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency unanimously approved the revised Arches plan. The Freeland family has owned the property adjacent to Snug Harbor restaurant for decades as a marina with big boat barn buildings. Over time additional parcels have been purchased to grow the amount of property for this development.
In 2024 this same LPA voted to deny the project because Freeland was only asking for a Future Land Use Map Amendment and the LPA believed the project was just too big at the time. They wanted to see the entire package presented with all the details and that’s what they saw last month.
The original Arches redevelopment of the Moss Marina property included 3 resort structures totalling 400 rooms, a marina, restaurants and other retail. The downsized project still includes 3 buildings but now totals 263 rooms. The buildings are 5,6, and 7 stories between 58 and 81 feet high.
There is also 15,000 square feet of commercial space and 336 parking spaces, 96 that will be available to the public. The marina use will remain, and they will be adding a ship’s store and boaters’ lounge along the public promenade. The promenade will have restaurants and live entertainment located close to the water. The plan has a marina with approximately 75 slips.
Boaters will also be able to dock for the day and there will be slips for kayaks and paddleboards. On Old San Carlos, heading down 3rd street, there will be a bodega, restaurant, grocery store and open air market. The majority of the property will be open to the public.
If built, the resort is projecting to generate over 225 new jobs with $12 million in salaries and generate $2 million per year in ad valorem taxes for the town, fire department and library.
The second Town Council public hearing on the project will be Monday, June 2nd.
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It will be interesting to see how “not in my backyard” votes.
Well I like the idea maybe it will Lower Our Fire And Library Taxes Along The Way!! Bonus
I love this development, although I’m sad there won’t be a fuel dock, the Freeland’s are woven into the fabric of this town and it’s obvious that this proposal offers a huge public benefit beyond a giant profit margin.
It’ll look great on the back bay!