Another major development project is on the verge of being approved. On Monday the Fort Myers Beach Town Council voted to move The Arches redevelopment project onto a second public hearing on June 2nd. If approved at that hearing, the project can proceed.
The Freeland Group, owners of 5 acres of property, which also includes Moss Marina, hope to redevelop the property and build 3 resort structures with 263 rooms that are 5,6 and 7 stories between 58 and 81 feet high.
The Freeland Group downsized the project from 400 rooms after it was clear town decision-makers wanted to see a smaller scale project. The plan also includes a bayfront promenade, a pedestrian plaza, retail space, restaurants open to the public 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 (up from the 55 available now). Last month the Local Planning Agency unanimously approved the revised plan. 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.
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.
During an 8-hour meeting Monday, Town Council members tried to get Ben Freeland to add to his public benefits list (see below). Mayor Dan Allers pushed Freeland hard to fix drainage and flooding issues the residents behind the Moss Marina property have, despite the fact that it’s the town’s responsibility. Freeland did say he would discuss the issue with town staff to see if anything can be done to help resolve the problem there.
Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt wanted to make sure operation of a water ferry was codified into any agreement. Freeland plans to invest millions of dollars into a water ferry, including a terminal on the bay near the Moss property. The plan is to include pickups at The Mound House and on the South End of the island for those that would rather not sit in traffic. Where the exact stops will be and how much it will cost to ride are details to be worked out in the future.
Council members also asked if Freeland would give residents a 25% discount. He did not commit to that because he would be mostly renting space to other businesses and managing that process would not be easy.
There was also concern that this project could become a construction zone for 10-15 years. Freeland said he would like to move the project along as quickly as possible but admitted market conditions will play a role in any time projections. Freeland did say that even if the proposal is approved on June 2nd there are “a few years away from anything breaking ground.”
Town Council members hope Freeland and his team will use the next month to incorporate some of their additional concerns and requests.
If built, the resort is projected 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.
Here’s the list of public benefits The Freeland Group pitched to the town…
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In every development that comes before the town council that includes a bar restaurant open to the public, the town council should require the developer to provide a 25% discount to all of the island residents much like Tom Torgeson did with Margaritaville.
25% discount??? sign me up!!!
Kudos to the Freeland family for stepping up with their ideas and money to help the Island recover and prosper. We need to support these efforts and encourage others to invest on the Island.
I really hope this project comes to fruitation, this has so much potential to bring in tourism and lots of public benefit and beautification of the back bay.
I had trouble hearing clearly of the discussion on YouTube so enlightening me to what council person Woodson was referring to something she doesn’t want in her neighborhood. I wasn’t sure if it was a “Park” or parking area. I caught something about a gated area but unsure what the gist of that was. Thanks for any responses