Id have to look into what recourse Constituents have if any. Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said the resort's latest milestone is an achievement for the entire island community. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. We love this community and do recognize Margaritaville will be the first new build to open post Ian. It is an impact Mayor Allers said will strengthen the surrounding beach community. 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. Margaritaville is a warm and inviting place where people from all walks of life come together to create paradise. You have great days, you have bad days but we are having way more great days than bad days., Dammermann said my heart goes out to the ones who lost their homes and businesses., Editor Nathan Mayberg can be reached at NMayberg@breezenewspapers.com, Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak speaks about the businesses still open on Fort Myers Beach. needs Margaritaville honored the local businesses during their topping-off ceremony Friday. thats going to take into consideration the look and feel of old FMB. And: Former Fuccillo Kia part of liquidation that includes jet, other sales | In the Know, Plus: In the Know: Your questions about new Costco, Trader Joe's coming to SWFL, In the Know: Sprouts prepares debuts on Cape, Fort Myers; plans to double Fla. sites, Growth: Pandemic-driven 'reboot' for Mercato: possible breweries, expanded plaza. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. What is the hope there, and what would it mean, not only to TPI and fans, but for Fort Myers Beach and residents? Margaritaville targeting 2023 opening on Beach. I wont look back. Apartments For Sale 5,272 SF. And just like that, into place went a 70-foot pedestrian gangplankwith theaim of making it safer to cross Estero Boulevard while providing greater access to the new resort targetedto open about 13 months from now. They dont give a rats behind about character or loss of charm. ft. house located at 574 Estero Blvd, FORT MYERS BEACH, FL 33931 sold for $2,200,000 on Mar 2, 2023. New buildings would be a blessing. A rendering of the Margaritaville Resort Fort Myers Beach. Read the full article in the latest edition of Southwest Florida Business today. "The 2020 transaction allowed Thomas Torgerson and Dammermann to reap the expected windfall from the Margaritaville Resort and excluded the plan and its participants from sharing in the anticipated profits.". Firefighters are battling several brush fires in Charlotte County; the one off McCall Road threatens several buildings, including a church. Time for me to move on. 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? Not only was there a game, but college students showed up for a dunk contest. 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. TPI will again have great neighbors going forward. We will rebuild . We designed what we called a Coastal Protection System (CPS) that included an underground armoring wall (i.e. Anything else youd like to share? 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. Certainly, we want to be a part of that recovery for the entire island. Hundreds of jobs coming to a small beach community that has felt uneasy about big companies like Margaritaville moving in. If I was part of Fort Myers Beach youd bet youre bottom dollar I would have raised heck at that council everyday to stop that going through!! It will be built throughout the island and will be six feet tall. Its no different for us., The biggest thing is really the electric, copper, door frames, sliding doors and the construction materials lost in the hurricane,, Were in real good shape. Stouder also addressed the issue of affordable housing, focusing on the trailer parks adjacent to Fort Myers Beach. In the News; Careers Menu Toggle. Can we fix it? All modern residential and commercial architecture. $332,000 Last Sold Price. Fort Myers reported its 2nd warmest February on record, as our average temperature, a combination of the morning low & afternoon high, was 73.7. Vaughan said the grief was not linear, its waves. Vaughan said I want to come home. Vaughan said the Riviera Club, where she lives, has electricity but no elevators and no plumbing. She doesnt know when she can go back. 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.". And looking to the future when Margaritaville will bring back more tourists later this year. 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. It was clear that they were going to help the town come back. He can do a good thing here and help his new neighbors who have lost everything. Its no longer hope, it's now determination and people are starting to breathe again, said Holzapfel. I hated that the margaritaville was going in. Fort Myers has been touting its downtown area, access to the Gulf from the River, easy access to Miami across Alligator Alley, its relative closeness to Disney World, and its islands that were unaffected by the hurricane. I stayed next door at the Lighthouse each summer. Bob, Thanks, Loved FMB too. Allison Christian faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty, according to an arrest report. So hopefully theyll reconsider and level the place. There were people excited about Margaritaville since long before the last hurricane season, but now theres added weight to updates on the resorts progress. Times Sq. This was proposed to run the landward side of the beach to the north past Times Square and south past our property down to Schuckers. "Im happy to report that we are now back to our pre-Ian construction workforce and we continue to make progress.". The only February hotter was in 2018, with an average temperature of 74.9. I totally agree And really wonder how in Gods name that got passed in the 1st place!!! I stayed at the Lighthouse each summer, Right across the street as you know. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Saw you folks want to see if you can do the grand opening on Ians first anniversary. ", "Estero Island will be a Caribbean-like island with the comforts and safety you only find in the USA, no passports required. Our prediction is for a dramatic improvement of the island by the time we open, late 2023. And that will also bring options to the beach. As construction on Margaritaville pushes on, so does the message of remaining Fort Myers Beach strong, according to Holzapfel. Dirty and run down. We will all see a new ground-up barrier island beach town. None of us would have wanted it to happen this way, but it did and that was out of all of our control. Donald Trump Jr. Mocked For Most Head-Spinningly False Claim About His Dad Yet. FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. - New renderings released Tuesday are giving beach-goers their best look yet at Margarittaville's "Fins Up Beach Club." When it's completed, it'll be a 60,000. As we first reported last month, it became pending four days after being listed, January's fifth biggest Lee County home sale. This happens every time a hurricane ravages and older beach community. Statement from Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach. 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. We welcome the new businesses that are coming and the new opportunities that were gonna have on our island., Tracy Dammermann, who is developing Margaritaville with her husband John, was standing with Kemp and Vaughan. 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.. While it appears there were no injuries to any of our co-workers, the scars experienced in and around both properties are significant. A new study says it's so. The disaster recovery that has occurred thus far, must be setting a blazing record for the fastest and most efficient recovery of a natural disaster in our countys history. Some struggle with things being built to code, but- most of the things that were wiped out were built early 50s 60s when there wasnt the building code if you look at the new Wahoo willies structure ( near nervous nellies, that was just built (it would fit the old sleepy beach town of Fort Myers Beach BUT was also built to code- it survived its unbelievable when you see the footage it has a thatched roof still in place and looks virtually unscathed. All the buildings that were old school and mom and pop places were what we loved in the area! Request Information The developers of the Margaritaville Resort in Fort Myers Beach held a topping-off ceremony Friday morning as they put the last beam on top of the $200 million project. I know our visitors will come back, Liszak said. Ill be honest. Growth: Pine Island Rd. So four decades, down to five years, plus or minus. The questions asked and our responses are below. For Sale: 2 beds, 2 baths 1160 sq. He could have built it over the other side of the bridge rather than right at that point. More:Will Margaritaville, Lani Kai on Fort Myers Beach push on in Hurricane Ian aftermath? Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island is a seven-mile stretch of white sand on the Gulf of Mexico that took a direct hit during Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022, along w. Read on. TPI is also lobbying hard to retain the FMB Beach Elementary School on island. That was no more evident than when Jacki Liszak, president & CEO of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, welcomed all of the business owners of Fort Myers Beach to stand behind her and show how many people fought hard to keep their livelihoods standing. In a post, Margaritaville said, we are viewing this as the highest impact issue for our resort., WINK News asked Allers to clarify the impact of the berm. A groundbreaking was held on August 13, 2021, with construction expected to last for two years. I doubt it. Pedestrian bridge connecting Margaritaville properties on Fort Myers Beach placed, Pedestrian bridge connecting Margaritaville properties on Fort Myers Beach placed. SOLD FEB 9, 2023. Speaking to building our Margaritaville Operations Team, we continue to be confident our ability to attract the best talent still exists. Photo by Nathan Mayberg. You will be a forerunner in bringing back FMB. Such being that nobody wanted it here to begin with. We did lose everything., we decided not to rebuild because time is ticking., It was clear that they were going to help the town come back. It This should help build the beach back better than ever and cost $25 million. We broke ground on the 17th anniversary of Charley, so it would be wonderful to open on the 1st anniversary of Ian, but that would be a very aggressive outcome if we are able to achieve that. I think that Fort Myers Beach will change just like everyone is thinking, but I also think it will just draw a different crowd. The resort should be done by now, the developer laments. Real Estate News; United States; Florida; Lee County; Fort Myers Beach; 250 Estero BLVD 606, Fort Myers Beach, Lee County, FL, 33931 For Sale Listed by J Alex King with Current Coastal Realty. The second project costs $7 million. 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. ANSWER: We will be pursuing other opportunities in the immediate area to compliment the initial resort. Their comprehensive land use plan, that's a herculean task over a period of years, they hope to have that done by 2023 years. SOLD FEB 15, 2023. This week, the town council unanimously approved two projects. I havent been down there since Ian obliterated our poor beach. Sign up below to receive exclusive offers and updates. Congrats on such a lot of success..Best Respects, John H. Cunninghams new book: Purple Deceiver, Major League Pickleball by Margaritaville, Update on the Margaritaville Resort in Fort Myers Beach, Margaritaville amusement park opens this week in Biloxi. Good luck. TPI Hospitality's hope is that the $3.5 million overhead walkway near Crescent Street will help with traffic flow, Co-CEO Tom Torgerson said. Time will tell. High temperatures will reach the 80s under partly cloudy skies. An update on on the Margaritaville Resort that was under construction in Fort Myers Beach: From TPI Hospitality on 9/30/2022: As you have been seeing in todays news, our TPI family experienced a horrific event in the form of Hurricane Ian. We did lose everything. Kemp said we decided not to rebuild because time is ticking. Kemp, who lived on Fort Myers Beach near Sterling Ave., said she is still processing the loss and may buy a home elsewhere. ANSWER: We feel for the so many that have lost so much, just as our family members have also lost so much. The. "From McGregor Blvd. Ft Myers Beach is an example of a piece of untouched Florida lifestyle still in existence, just as Sanibel Island, Capitva, Pine Island, etc. For Sale: 979000 - Residential, 2 bed, 2 bath, 988 sqft at 250 Estero BLVD in Fort Myers Beach. C, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 | 239-463-4421, done by the end of the year, no question., its very emotional. So when the right developer applies for a variance its no telling what may happen. In an unsigned message posted by the Margaritaville Resort Fort Myers Beach Facebook page on Thursday, it was stated that the TPI-backed project was expecting a "financing term sheet" this past Friday with hopes that construction could start sometime in early 2021 as part of a two-year . As to Margaritaville, we are fortunate to be right at the base of the bridge upon arrival to FMB. 250 ESTERO BLVD # 606 FORT MYERS BEACH, FL 33931 $949,000 Listed By Current Coastal Realty, J Alex King 2 Bedrooms 2 Total Baths 2 Full Baths 940 Square Feet 0.19 Acres 1995 Year Built Active Status MLS# 223015668 NORTH END GULF FRONT CORNER CONDO with breathtaking panoramic views of the Gulf, Sanibel and Captiva! What do you have in mind for workers? Anyhow, I think their presence only invites other large developers to drop anchor there. It is a visual validation of the progress that has been made. 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. We are going to send people down to you, they aren't going to want to eat Margaritaville all the time, said Holzapfel. Location is everything and you don't want to miss out on this rare opportunity! Sadly, like you say, time to move on. Margaritaville bridge goes up on SWFL's Jimmy Buffett-inspired project MONEY Margaritaville bridge pops into place over Estero Blvd. Kemp lost her cottage on Fort Myers Beach to Hurricane Ian. What did structures resistance tell you? It just demonstrates human ingenuity, resolve creativity, said David Cezario, VP & opening general manager for Margaritaville. We have overcome a number of critical path schedule items related to material replacement but still have some challenges looming out there. Stouder encouraged the audience to keep an eye on the evolving land use plan from the Town of Fort Myers Beach as building codes change as a result of the hurricane. How the heck did this get passed? I don't think I would have seen that in my lifetime," said Togerson. What we know, Is Indiana emerging as more desirable than Southwest Florida? 15 big projects coming this year and beyond to SWFL. We had 14 years of nothing happening in Times Square and then TPI comes along and they had a plan., They have really done a really outstanding job getting everything cleaned up and back into reconstruction,, Sheetrock is going in as we speak, plumbing, electric, you name it., I am here to tell you, profoundly, that we dont know,, The good news is everyone knows supply chain is an issue across the country. There may be several annoying factors that come with a large hotel complex, but nothing can quite match the annoyance of the predawn arrival of dempsey dumpster vehicles. But others note how that section of the island had deteriorated, escalated in part by Hurricane Charley's violent strike almost two decades ago. Fort Myers Beach is in the process of rebuilding to be stronger than ever. Ive been vacationing at Ft. Myers Beach for the past 13 years. Margaritaville construction, Jan. 20, 2023. This milestone for. 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. For the berm to happen, all property owners on the beach must sign and agree to it. I feel bad for the people who live there. Kisabeth said electric material, lights and foam for the roof were washed away and lost in the storm and need to be replaced. corridor explodes: 24chains, diners, apartments, more coming, Recently: Most expensive home in Naples history sells for $62M, shatters record, Plus: 'Astounding numbers' putSWFL on top nationally for rent increases. 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. We have been going to FMB for 20 years, and since retirement spend two months there each winter. The good news, many other businesses are on that same track. wont be back. Please keep checking back. 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. Instead, it's been years of debate and lawsuits, hard feelings and small-town politics. However, at 5921 Estero Blvd, you're only about 3 miles south of the new Margaritaville Resort that is scheduled to open fall 2023, as well as the return of Times Square at the public Fort Myers Beach - where the majority of shopping & restaurants are at! sea wall) with a boardwalk on top of it. Rising: 15 big projects coming this year and beyond to SWFL. Right Steve, FMB wont disappear, but it wont be the same for the reasons you state. JOIN THE TEAM! You all dont understand how much Ian destroying our town has changed everything. At 17 feet above the Earth, the overpass comes with public restrooms to go with a pair of elevators and stairways. The average family cant afford to stay at JB resorts and hotel. 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. We went for the exact reason you are all commenting on. I was there 4 months ago with my family and friends. More: Affordable housing shortage has long been a problem in SWFL. Big changes are coming and it will never look the same. Jimmys companies just franchise the name just like Budweiser at NFL games. "That bridge is super cool," said an "excited" Robin Popovich, who lives north ofMatanzas Pass and had another word for it all: "Awesome.". Affordable housing shortage has long been a problem in SWFL. This []. The neighborhood gossip is like, 'Is it going to be the next Miami Beach? He said that affordable housing could possibly replace retail areas like the Sanibel Outlets. This business comes in the form of a 254-room resort with five restaurants, and What makes us special here are our people, and the passion they have is contagious, said Pigott. unfortunately For FMB people..I was not aware of the Atrocity until I read it online a couple of years ago. Many people who had the older homes will not be able to rebuild because of the cost and Im sorry for those people who will maybe be forced off the beach. View listing information for 250 Estero BLVD, Fort Myers Beach, FL, 33931. The survival of the building has given the developers enough confidence to continue to bet on Fort Myers Beach by recently purchasing the nearby Silver Sands property for $7.1 million to expand the Margaritaville site. I am here to tell you, profoundly, that we dont know, Kisabeth said at the topping-off ceremony Friday. Fort Myers Beach would have been fine without Margaritaville. Margaritaville Beach Resort hopes to open in the fall, but there is no set date yet. Fort Myers Beach and Lee County also used the Margaritaville topping-off ceremony as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate businesses that have reopened since Ian or plan to reopen soon. For Margaritaville supporters like Bobbi Kemp and Ellen Vaughan, the ceremony was a bit emotional. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 Fort Myers Outlying. Since 1991, Torgerson, a Fort Myers Beach resident, has been at the head of the firm that operates dozens of hotels and restaurants in Minnesota and Florida. It seems to be a little bit of misunderstanding about the six-foot berm or six-and-a-half-foot berm. 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. I think Margaritaville is the least of everyones problems on Ft Myers Beach right now. I hope not. On Friday, that resiliency strengthened, according to Allers, by the number of jobs the nationwide resort will bring. Demographics will be high, in terms of energy level, people, and wealth. And don't forget a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. They were a less expensive rent for people who provide goods and services to hotels, motels, restaurants and could afford to stay.". Ill ever sit for 2 hours to go there now. This area took decades to develop the personality it had. Construction broke ground in August 2021 and ideally will conclude by summer 2023, per the News Press. I stopped going to Fort Myers beach because it turned so commercial years ago there is NO WAY IN . Our fear is now big buildings will go up in their place any become way to commercialized. -And what do you see as the outlook for the island by the time you open and in the coming years? I also welcome structures and businesses and hotels condos whatever it may be that will provide a safe place to live or rent for many visitors to come I believe Fort Myers Beach will be one of the premier islands in a few years its going to be all brand new in many respects Im thankful for Margaritaville and I hope that they become a good partner with current businesses, and residents on the Island! Youre right Lauren, so sad. $810,000 Last Sold Price. The shell of the building, grounded in cement, is largely all there though there is still much work to be done. Margaritaville on Fort Myers Beach taking shape including pedestrian overpass. ft., 2 bed, 2 full bath house located at 250 Estero BLVD 505, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 on sale for $979,000. If only you could give the old feel. I will reserve my criticism until I see what JB does. In a separate deal, across the street from about where Margaritaville's lobby is slated, the house of Torgerson's daughter just closed and sold for $4.2 million. Where the average family could afford a hotel room. They have to keep that balance of density, traffic. Our prediction is FMB will become the jewel of SWFL in the not-too-distant future. 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. When are they ready? Fort Myers News-Press 0:03 1:06 The Minnesota-based builder of Fort Myers Beach's Margaritaville forced their employees to sell their company stock, which means workers are going to. 2d ago. In the Know: Buckeyetied to $27M Neptune Inn purchase on Fort Myers Beach, How climate change-induced wildfires, Trump trade, tariff warsaffected economy. Every day, every week we are getting better, getting stronger, businesses are reopening, said Allers. How much should your insurance company pay, and can an adjuster stack on costs? Times Square cant be replaced. Also, no local clientele since there are no homes. That correct, & what happened? He continued, "Here are some things that I believe we are going to experience in a short time frame, this 5+/- year timeframe. Before Margaritaville, that area was a blight on FMB and is a blessing to the community in terms of jobs and lodging. But, it will become a playground for the rich.". How far behind did Ian put you? Now those same supporters hope Margaritaville and its developers TPI will help get the town back on its feet after the utter devastation of Hurricane Ian.