On Monday, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council will hold the first of two public hearings on the new Silver Sands Resort on Estero Boulevard which, if approved, would be located between The Whale and The Surf Club. Last month the LPA unanimously approved the project.
The new 6-story Silver Sands would have 60 rooms. The original boutique hotel had 22 units, resulting in a 173% increase in density. The new Silver Sands includes 2,500 square feet of commercial space on the ground level and 46 onsite parking spaces, a rooftop pool, dock improvements on the canal behind the property, and streetscape improvements along Estero Blvd and Primo Drive.Â
If the plan is approved by the Town Council TPI will have to go through the Development Order process which takes at least another 6 months. Mayor Dan Allers will have to recuse himself from the vote because his Golf Cart company does business with TPI’s Margaritaville.
LPA members did have concerns with traffic and cars stacking on Primo Drive, which is a very narrow road between the Silver Sands property and The Whale. TPI’s Tom Torgerson said, “I feel there was exceptional critique and appreciate the kudos for the great creative work on the project to date, it is a gem of a project for the community, visitors and TPI, I call that a win-win-win. We have ideas on how to improve the narrow Primo Right-of-Way and will focus on that.”
The Silver Sands was destroyed by Hurricane Ian and the property was eventually sold to Margaritaville owner TPI for $7.1 million.
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