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. Thats from sea level.. Before the 2020 construction of the digs, land records show the property sold for $800,000 in 2018. 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. One of the biggest issues people are dealing with when it comes to insurance after Hurricane Ian is property damage. TPI for over a decade has been at the top of Best Places To Work in Minnesota, we have every intention that same positive work culture will exist at Margaritaville. In the News; Careers Menu Toggle. They have to keep that balance of density, traffic. I stayed next door at the Lighthouse each summer. SOLD FEB 15, 2023. It just demonstrates human ingenuity, resolve creativity, said David Cezario, VP & opening general manager for Margaritaville. A fish kill is filling up the water in Southwest Florida. The good news, many other businesses are on that same track. on Fort Myers Beach | In the Know Phil Fernandez. Well done Margaritaville!! Before Margaritaville, that area was a blight on FMB and is a blessing to the community in terms of jobs and lodging. Instead, it's been years of debate and lawsuits, hard feelings and small-town politics. PRIDE Cape Coral 2023 kicks off Friday, celebrating inclusion and love in the citys LGBTQ+ community. Donald Trump Jr. Mocked For Most Head-Spinningly False Claim About His Dad Yet. Old Ft Myers Beach was junkie. 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. They have really done a really outstanding job getting everything cleaned up and back into reconstruction, Kisabeth said. The resort celebrated its topping-off ceremony, a celebration that marks the finishing touches being completed on the top floor of a hotel. So, investing in the beaches is a priority, and the mayor of Fort Myers Beach said that is precisely what the projects will do. "As professionals in real estate in this room, I would encourage you, if you have any interest in Fort Myers Beach, that you read these iterations as they come forward. Margaritaville Beach Hotel Pensacola Beach Perched majestically on the white sands of the Gulf Shore, representing casual luxury and an elevated hotel experience Call +1 850-916-9755 Visit Website Book Now Hollywood Beach, FL Margaritaville Beach Resort Hollywood Beach While sad about it, Souder said it could be an opportunity, given that the hurricane provided a clean slate or a do-over. More:What thousands of you told me about FMB Margaritaville expansion; and new housing rules, And:Margaritaville builders buy land of oldest FMB hotel; deals in Times Square, Bonita Beach, Plus:Which 8 coastal businesses pounded by Hurricane Ian are opening in Bell Tower? And Fort Myers Beach, as compared to Sanibel, as compared to Naples, has always kind of been a place where people from the Midwest, that were middle class, that could come and afford to take their families for a week or two vacation. What did structures resistance tell you? Sorry . It's really, really sad. Growth: Pine Island Rd. For Sale: 2 beds, 2 baths 940 sq. $810,000 Last Sold Price. -And what do you see as the outlook for the island by the time you open and in the coming years? Not only was there a game, but college students showed up for a dunk contest. Its a big week for us, said Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers. Not huge skyscrapers. Fort Myers Beach is in the process of rebuilding to be stronger than ever. The CPS, and along with the scale of Grand Resorts, was not viewed favorably by the FMB Community and was therefore abandoned. thats going to take into consideration the look and feel of old FMB. Here's a look at the under construction Fort Myers Beach Margaritaville. Functional could also describe the elevated path that will be donated to local government. FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. The sounds of construction echo around Fort Myers Beach, particularly at the Margaritaville resort, which is an obvious sign the town is making a comeback. The Fort Myers Beach we knew is gone. The shell of the building, grounded in cement, is largely all there though there is still much work to be done. Where will they get the workers to finish building with all the insurance work needing to be done. Location is everything and you don't want to miss out on this rare opportunity! Beach recovery Advisories Posted on: January 28, 2023 You may be eligible for a property tax refund The beach town where it was a great place to fish- not party. When are they ready? If only you could give the old feel. 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. In those mobile home parks today, there are less than 1000 that still remain. First, John Dammermann provided an update on the Margaritaville project, especially after Hurricane Ian. And don't forget a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. All of the older ground level structures will live by the same ordinance and Im sure the mobile home industry will be affected as well. MLS# 223011175. Kisabeth said electric material, lights and foam for the roof were washed away and lost in the storm and need to be replaced. As part of thanking its construction crews for their work, TPI provided lunch to more than 150 workers at the Lighthouse Resort Friday. I hated that the margaritaville was going in. That would solve the problem. Support Democracy and subscribe to a newspaper. ft., 2 bed, 2 full bath house located at 250 Estero BLVD 505, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 on sale for $979,000. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Home News Local Lee County Margaritaville resort looks to serve as beacon for rebuilding Fort Myers Beach. But the mobile home parks could be turned into something else. Kemp lost her home in Hurricane Ian and Vaughan has been living in downtown Fort Myers due to damage at her condo building. Thats the problem, it looked like a disgusting New York building. When there is nothing else there. 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? 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. In Naples, city council authorized the city manager to spend up to $100,000 to expedite the cleanup of dead fish within the city waterways []. A new study says it's so. It happened here in SC when Hugo destroyed older beach homes here. Rising: 15 big projects coming this year and beyond to SWFL. Nearby homes similar to 265 Tropical Shore Way have recently sold between $425K to $1,200K at an average of $620 per square foot. 500,000 open heart surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year, and half of those patients require a blood transfusion. Youre right Lauren, so sad. If they allow that to be constructed and finished they shouldnt be allowed to call it for Myers beach And of course their argument is that the city, county, and state will benefit from increased revenue. Where are the workers going to stay? . We will rebuild . Souder doesnt anticipate that many of those people will return, especially with new building codes that will require properties to be raised above flood elevation. 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. All the buildings that were old school and mom and pop places were what we loved in the area! According to property rights, The character of Fort Myers Beach can be determined by who owns property there, not by a mob. For Margaritaville supporters like Bobbi Kemp and Ellen Vaughan, the ceremony was a bit emotional. Ian wiped out many memories for people on Fort Myers Beach, but throughout the recovery, people have told WINK News, We will rebuild.. ENJOY SIZZLING SUNSETS from this prime beachfr. ' said resident Bart Churchward. "At the time of Ian, we were already into probably a three to four decade organic redevelopment of the island. Apartments For Sale 5,272 SF. 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. Likely, the old Fort Myers Beach rustic charm is going to go away. Margaritaville on Fort Myers Beach taking shape including pedestrian overpass. In 2015, TPI became 100% employee-owned after the TPI Hospitality Employee Stock Ownership Plan it formed, known as an ESOP, acquired 100% of its stock for $10 million. Watch a time lapse video of the bridge getting placed, Pedestrian bridge connects Margaritaville properties over Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach, Margaritaville on Fort Myers Beach taking shape including pedestrian overpass. Firefighters are battling several brush fires in Charlotte County; the one off McCall Road threatens several buildings, including a church. A Margaritaville resort on Fort Myers Beach is getting closer to becoming a reality. Most of the mom& pops wont be back. Fort Myers Beach would have been fine without Margaritaville. was the commercial heart of FMB. PublishedFebruary 20, 2023 at 8:12 AM EST, land use plan from the Town of Fort Myers Beach, Some California mountain residents could be snowed in for another week, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' actor, has died at 61, He visited Disneyland 2,995 days in a row. Now, all thats left is getting residents to sign on. Margaritaville resort looks to serve as beacon for rebuilding Fort Myers Beach, "Thank you, Mrs. Knox": Retired Bishop Verot teacher gets Jeopardy! It is not appetizing. Anything else youd like to share? 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. It is an impact Mayor Allers said will strengthen the surrounding beach community. So, sheetrock is going in as we speak. What we know, Is Indiana emerging as more desirable than Southwest Florida? The 2022-2023 season, however, brings a bit of panache to traditional FMB conceptions as the town spiffs up and gets a . Photo by Nathan Mayberg. corridor explodes: 24chains, diners, apartments, more coming, Most expensive home in Naples history sells for $62M, shatters record, 'Astounding numbers' putSWFL on top nationally for rent increases, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. On Friday, that resiliency strengthened, according to Allers, by the number of jobs the nationwide resort will bring. Fort Myers reported its 2nd warmest February on record, as our average temperature, a combination of the morning low & afternoon high, was 73.7. They are not even required to have flood insurance and most were not because of the insurance costs. New York Times bestselling thriller author Gregg Hurwitz, creator of the Orphan X series, will be in Fort Myers at the 2023 Southwest Florida Reading Festival on Saturday. ANSWER: The opportunity now exists for the Town to address factors such as parking and housing for the community. Those have shifted to Crescent and Fifth Street, Torgerson said. 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. See now I gotta find out now I gotta do the digging and now I gotta get involved because now it bugs me Lol I feel sorry for that council. Fox 4's Colton Chavez was on Fort Myers Beach where the new Margaritaville Resort marked a major milestone. David Cesario, the General Manager of Margaritaville Resort on Fort Myers Beach, said it's an expected feeling. This is also the home of the Winter Estates for Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. All rights reserved. Margaritaville construction, Jan. 20, 2023. Good luck. Photo: TPI Stonehill Strategic Capital, a lending division within Peachtree Hotel Group, has provided TPI Hospitality with $104 million in construction debt for the buildout of its long-planned Margaritaville Resort in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., Commercial Observer has learned. ANSWER; We were engaged with coastal engineers back in 2015 during our very early designs of the project, back then it was called Grand Resorts. On Friday, businesses like TJ Holzapfels Rude Shrimp Co., which was destroyed during Hurricane Ian, are back in business. The image below details just []. On Friday, they were working on the floor of the parking garage on the other side of the street. Pleasant work Tom and group! Former Fuccillo Kia part of liquidation that includes jet, other sales | In the Know, In the Know: Your questions about new Costco, Trader Joe's coming to SWFL, Sprouts prepares debuts on Cape, Fort Myers; plans to double Fla. sites, Pandemic-driven 'reboot' for Mercato: possible breweries, expanded plaza, Flurry of Founders Square firsts; hot Collier corner; and latest on Buc-ee's land, 'Musclingthrough challenges.' The town had suffered under Charley. Ellen Vaughan (left to right), Bobbi Kemp and Tracy Dammermann. More specifically, sand. SOLD FEB 15, 2023. For the berm to happen, all property owners on the beach must sign and agree to it. 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. $949,000 USD . At 17 feet above the Earth, the overpass comes with public restrooms to go with a pair of elevators and stairways. Theyll just call it a day. It just brings a smile to my face, Town Mayor Dan Allers said. 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. It has a reputation for partying day and night and taking an island-y detour from mainland tempos. NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS! ANSWER: We feel for the so many that have lost so much, just as our family members have also lost so much. For Sale: 2 beds, 2 baths 1160 sq. But if they build something that you merely think is ugly or you dont like subjectively, thats tough. Margaritaville on Fort Myers Beach taking shape including pedestrian overpass. Yes thats our fear as well. I totally agree And really wonder how in Gods name that got passed in the 1st place!!! Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak brought up the owners of local businesses to the podium to bring attention to many of the businesses back open. "But one of the positive parts of Ian, is that it sped up that process in about a 5 year plus or minus timeframe. Jimmys companies just franchise the name just like Budweiser at NFL games. Thi. Pine Island Rd. He continued, "Here are some things that I believe we are going to experience in a short time frame, this 5+/- year timeframe. 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. I hope not. However, much interest exists by property owners and local developers to rebuild the downtown area fast and in the most impressive manner possible. $6,766/mo Get pre-approved Beds Baths 10,018 Sq Ft (Lot) About This Home Located so close to the beach access (just across the road), you don't even need your flip flops to walk there! Now the corporate wolves will move in. However, a personal estimate as to when we will open up, has us doing so towards the end of 2023. 4 Beds. We hated seeing Margaritaville come to the 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. 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. A Sinatra song, not a Buffett ballad, came to mind as the new Margaritaville bridge lowered over Fort Myers BeachFriday morning. New buildings & homes will be constructed due to Ian, as unfortunate as the storm was for people. You will be a forerunner in bringing back FMB. Dammermann is developing Margaritaville with her husband John. He can do a good thing here and help his new neighbors who have lost everything. We would have loved to open alongside the many businesses that previously existed, however, their absence will not deter people from wanting to come to the resort. We had 14 years of nothing happening in Times Square and then TPI comes along and they had a plan., Kisabeth credited DeAngelis Diamond, the chief contractor for Margaritavilles construction, with the sturdiness of the buildings and for getting the construction going again after Hurricane Ian. Time will tell. Sad, that place is going to chase people away from what was a great beach vaca. TPI will again have great neighbors going forward. Just call it Greedy BuffetVille Beach. The biggest thing is really the electric, copper, door frames, sliding doors and the construction materials lost in the hurricane, he said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Fortunately for us, our three newly constructed buildings all held up fairly well, had no structural damage," said Dammermann. Sheetrock is going in as we speak, plumbing, electric, you name it.. Work was delayed by Hurricane Ian and is now due for. That correct, & what happened? It seems to be a little bit of misunderstanding about the six-foot berm or six-and-a-half-foot berm. This years event, however, comes after the former city manager accused the mayor and council members of discriminating against gay employees and being hesitant to support the pride festival. How much should your insurance company pay, and can an adjuster stack on costs? 2 Baths. One of the most devastating storms ever to hit the state of Florida has caused unimaginable damage to both Naples, home to TPIs Staybridge Suites, and Fort Myers Beach, home to TPIs soon-to-be Margaritaville. 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. 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. The resort should be done by now, the developer laments. The FMB School coupled with Bay Oaks Recreational Facility provides young families the opportunity to bring their families to the school before work and pick them up from Bay Oaks after work and know they are getting a top grade education is the safest and kindest of environments. And I'm concerned that may away." 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! I stayed at the Lighthouse each summer, Right across the street as you know. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. What we know, In the Know:Is Indiana emerging as more desirable than Southwest Florida? $979,000 USD: Introducing an exceptional opportunity to own a beautiful GULF FRONT and FULLY FURNISHED unit located on the highly coveted NORTH END of Fort Myers Beach! It's been a long 6 year odyssey for TPI developers, but their hope is to put shovels in the ground in May or June and if all goes according to plan, Margaritaville could be open in a little over two years. 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.". Not only was there a game, but college students showed up for a dunk contest. A new one, activated by commercial development in quality and taste equivalent to Mercato. 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. "When you lose 4000 or 5000 that are in close proximity to a barrier island, I believe that's two things. The video in the link below illustrates the unbelievable devastation in and around the Fort Myers Beach area. Initially, the buildings condo owners were told they would be able to go back home in September but now nobody is certain. We have overcome a number of critical path schedule items related to material replacement but still have some challenges looming out there. The session comprised Margaritaville Resort developers Tom Torgerson and John Dammermann, of TPI Hospitality, and Stan Stouder, founding partner of CRE Consultants. Holzapfel told Fox 4 he feels encouraged by the development of Margaritaville. Dirty and run down. He has lived on the island and is a commercial realtor for CRE Consultants. This []. Sign up below to receive exclusive offers and updates. All the beach residents to sign the waivers are the easements, I should say, the 15-year easements to be able to do the berm as well as the beach renourishment, Allers said. That imposing, three-story high solid grey cement, which engineered opposition from those who preferred the towns old cottage look, is what saved the structure from Hurricane Ian. Id have to look into what recourse Constituents have if any. 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.. Real estate values to challenge those on a square foot basis of Naples. HECK Request Information The developers of Margaritaville Beach Resort hosted a topping off celebration to acknowledge the DeAngelis Diamond construction team and how Fort Myers Beach is progressing since Hurricane Ian . Seems as though threr is a message here to the backers. All you should be able to do is prevent them from creating a nuisance. 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. Nuisance may be the key word here for residents. Unfortunately, those who want to re-build are likely going to have to build to updated codes, which will eliminate that charming beach town feel we all loved about it. SWFL: Flurry of Founders Square firsts; hot Collier corner; and latest on Buc-ee's land, In the Know: 'Musclingthrough challenges.' Add to that the many experience amenities that are encompassed into our Margaritaville Resort, make it an inclusive experience destination resort. It's now a Guinness World Record, Collier County issues burn ban; Fire fought on Wilson Boulevard. Please keep checking back. I believe it wouldnt Have mattered anyway because that was bought and paid for somehow or another..look at who is in charge of your councilmaybe an Audit is in order . A modern luxury flip-flop community, a paradise, said Torgerson, calling out to the rest of the audience, "A new gold rush is on in Southwest Florida, please come join us and participate. Think again Ft Myers Beach city commision move it elsewhere. MLS# 223001772. True , we hated going to Fort Myers Beach. It is a visual validation of the progress that has been made. A tent pitched on Fort Myers Beach has many people asking what is underneath. You can see by the before pictures that it towered over old fort myers beach. 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. He has the means to do it, and it would be a good investment as nobody is going to want to come down there for one hotel when everything else is leveled. A tent pitched on Fort Myers Beach has many people asking what is underneath. Stouder continued, "I liked Tommy's comment about a "flip-flop paradise." The atmosphere of Times Sq. Thanks, Well I hate to burst the bubble but with the 10ft rebuild flood elevations FMB, Sanibel, Captiva and other coastal areas will never be the same. TPI's making other moves with the bottleneck in mind, removing more than a half-dozen previous ingresses and egresses along the congested main two-lane drag. This should help build the beach back better than ever and cost $25 million. I think they do a good job, said Cesario. It The Leonardo Arms condo . Our prediction is FMB will become the jewel of SWFL in the not-too-distant future. 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. It's a show of resiliency for our island, its a continuation of the rebuild," said Allers. Yes, the lot across the street was a little unsightly as it sat there. The people that can open up are opening up, Allers said. The first project pumps sand onto the beach. Probably Gods way of stopping Buffetville. 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. Bob, Thanks, Loved FMB too. I loved FMB and I am now devastated. I am confident that our island and our businesses and our residents will rebuild. One of the biggest issues people are dealing with when it comes to insurance after Hurricane Ian is property damage. Totally agree!! And now our winters will be spent on another beach on the gulf. Love these resorts clean and updated, unlike the old moldy smell of hotels that were not updated. Affordable housing shortage has long been a problem in SWFL. So hopefully theyll reconsider and level the place. This milestone for Margaritaville also marks a significant move toward recovery in Fort Myers Beach in the aftermath of Hurricane Ians pummeling. 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. New buildings would be a blessing. This happens every time a hurricane ravages and older beach community. I have worked all over the country and when new projects get introduced anywhere, people talk about the impact, said Cesario. This week, the town council unanimously approved two projects. As more people start to pile into the area, and beaches reopen, the fish kill will become a bigger problem. In the Know: Fort Myers Beach favorite closes after almost a half-century. When the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council approved Margaritaville five years ago, its supporters hoped the resort would revitalize a part of downtown hit hard by Hurricane Charley more than a dozen years earlier. He said that Fort Myers Beach has a chance to start over with a clean slate, "I do you believe that Fort Myers Beach will become a playground for the rich. Debris. You could have heard a pin drop, as they shared their vision for a redeveloped Fort Myers Beach. SOLD FEB 9, 2023. The expansion at the Silver Sands site could happen in 2025, according to the company. Wont happen Sue, the FMB we knew is gone. The expansion at the Silver Sands site could happen in 2025, according to the company.