Downtown Fort Myers is starting to stir up a little action.
In the past few months, developers have purchased two sites long thought to be potential high-rise developments:
• Developer Andy Messick paid $325,000 for the 2.2-acre Billy’s Creek Condominium project. Messick already owned the Rock Lake motel next door so he has 7.3 acres to develop.
• The site of the foreclosed Cypress Club high-rise condominium project in downtown Fort Myers was purchased by Lynx/Zuckerman of Ft. Myers LLC for $2.3 million.
Meanwhile, Bob MacFarlane of The Pittman Group has a contract to buy the long-vacant Amtel Hotel – a booming Sheraton in the heyday of downtown 20 years ago. Pittman hopes to renovate it and turn it into an assisted living facility, and the Lee County Industrial Development Authority has approved a $47 million bond to finance the deal.
Still, not much has actually happened yet as developers try to figure out exactly what will work in a chancy economic environment.
“It’s not like it’s an easy thing to do,” said commercial real estate agent Steve Luta, who’s working with Messick on a plan to redevelop the Billy’s Creek property. “It’s got to make economic sense.”
So what do you think? What would you like to see in Downtown Fort Myers?
Single family home permits in Lee County are at their highest in 5 years. On the flip side, the number of foreclosure lawsuits was up.
After the bottom fell out of prices in early 2006, the number of homes being built fell sharply from the peak in 2005, when an average of 1,585 houses a month were built. At the recession’s bottom in 2009, only 68 permits per month were issued, according to statistics compiled by the Regional Economic Research Institute at FGCU.
Rose attributed the good March performance to an increasing number of decisions being made by baby boomers to build retirement houses.
“For the past five years they’ve put their plans on hold just to see what happens,” he said. “They’re either tired of keeping their lives on hold, or they’re feeling a little more confident” as the economy and the stock market perk up.
Also, Rose said, despite the rising cost of construction materials, new construction is able for the first time in years to compete with resales of existing homes. “We’re finally in parity with the houses that are out there. It’s no longer that the existing homes are beating us to death.” source
What to know what else is going on in the Fort Myers real estate market?
If so, feel free to contact me anytime!
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Features Custom cabinetry, abundant storage, Tiled Chef’s Dream Kitchen where the island takes center stage.
Solid Wood Doors, Crown Molding, High Ceilings. Gorgeous Brazilian Teak flooring compliments family room, Living Room, Formal Dining & bedrooms.
Beautifully decorated home is the closest to NEW with Modern Kitchen & bathrooms with raised vanities & tile. The luxurious private master suite located riverfront allows for moonlight sleeping. Opulent bath features jetted tub & walk in shower.
See all the details of this Gulf Harbour listing here.
Everyone likes options…
But sometimes, the worst thing is just sitting home not knowing what to do, or where to go when you live in sunny Florida.
Here is a list of things going on around Gulf Harbour if you don’t already have plans on Saturday, March 23, 2013:
Children Discover Women Chefs
Bonita Springs Public Library
26876 Pine Avenue, Bonita Springs
1 p.m.
Celebrate Women Chefs for Women’s History Month. We will learn about women chefs and make crafts based on their foods. 239-479-4636
Florida International Air Show
Charlotte County Airport
28000 Airport Blvd, Punta Gorda
March 23-24 • 9 a.m.
Aerial stunts, high-speed military jets, and acrobatic pilots are some of the thrills you can expect during the 33rd Annual Florida International Air Show Gates open at 9 a.m. both Saturday & Sunday.
www.floridaairshow.com
Easter Egg Hunt – Horse Interaction Day
Saddlewood Horse Club
16111 Saddlewood Lane, Cape Coral
Saturday, March 23 • 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Come out to a fun-filled day this month for our Easter Egg Hunt and Horse Interaction Day. Children 2 – 15 will be able to pet, groom, and feed horses, enjoy pony/horse riding in the COVERED riding arena, hop in the bounce house, munch lunch, create a horsey craft to take home, and have a blast with the live horse painting! A highlight is the Easter Egg Hunt with a treat bag for every reg. child. Snuggle bunnies will be there too. $20/child, lunch and all activities included. Please pre-register by phone or e-mail to reserve your spot. Pre-pay by credit card or cash at gate. 239-738-9300 or Fun@CapeHorses.com
www.CapeHorses.com
Croods Movie Release Kids Eat FREE Breakfast Buffet
Anthony’s on the Blvd
1303 Del Prado Blvd S Cape Coral
Saturday, March 23 • 9 a.m. – noon
Join us for Pre-HISTORIC Fun and Games.
Breakfast buffet with pancakes, French toast sticks, fruit, bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy, sausage and MORE! Kids eat free with each paid adult. Does not include child beverage. Adults $7.99 kids 10 & Under $4.99.
239-772-5900
Easter Bunny Photos
Bass Pro Shops, 10040 Gulf Center Dr., Fort Myers
(March 23 – 31) weekend 1 – 4 p.m. &
during the week from 6 – 8 p.m.
239-461-7800
Egg Hunt and Bunny Craft
Bass Pro Shops
10040 Gulf Center Dr., Fort Myers
(March 23-24) Hunt: 1-2 p.m. & Craft: 1 – 4 p.m.
For ages 2 – 10. 239-461-7800
Lowe’s Kid Clinic – The Croods: Piranhakeet Chomper
Lowe’s Home Improvement Store
Most local locations
10 a.m.
Bring your child to Lowe’s and they can build The Croods: Piranhakeet Chomper! Build on your kid’s
talent with regularly scheduled clinics designed just
for children. Build and Grow Clinics will teach your kids how to safely complete a variety of projects. www.lowesbuildandgrow.com
Easter Egg Hunt
Home Depot, 14655 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers
9 – 11 a.m.
Easter egg hunt, face painting and kids workshop
239-437-6333
India Fest 2103
Fort Myers High School
2635 Cortez Blvd., Fort Myers
11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
At this outdoor event, IAFM will provide the local
community with an opportunity to be exposed to all things Indian, including food, dance, music, handicrafts and clothing from various regions within India.
239-470-7024
Bunny Hopping Time (3-6 yrs)
Four Freedoms Park, 4818 Tarpon Ct., Cape Coral,
9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
We will be playing games, doing crafts, dyeing eggs and going on an egg hunt. Children must be self-sufficient in restroom care. Child needs to bring a water bottle, snack and lunch. $15 Res/$23 Non-Res
Pre-registration is required. 239-574-0804.
EGGstravagnaza Night Swim
Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Pool.
5819 Driftwood Pkwy., Cape Coral
6 – 9 p.m.
Join us for our EGGstravaganza Late Night Swim at
The Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Pool. We will be having an Easter egg dive, water relays and other games throughout the night. Also meet “Peter Cotton Tail,” The Easter Bunny! Food and refreshments will be available for the public! The Easter egg swim will be available for the public! The Easter egg swim will be held at 7:30 p.m. 239-574-0806
Rotary BBQ & Family Fun Fest
Estero Park Recreation Center
9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero
Throughout the day
We will be featuring a mix of great live music; an array of Grillers, Ribbers and other vendors, serving fantastic samplings of all types of BBQ and food from around the area and beyond. There will be beer, wine, classic cars, rides and games for the kids; and lots of fun for the entire family. Bring your lawn chair and come enjoy the fun! 239-498-0415
10th Annual Celebrate Estero
Miromar Outlets, Estero
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join Miromar Outlets and the Estero Chamber of Commerce for games, activities, demonstrations,
displays and raffle drawings for the entire family.
239-948-3766
Providence Pony Pals Club
Providence Equestrian Center
13731 E Terry St., Bonita Springs
Saturdays • 8:30 a.m. -noon
A weekly program including riding instruction and
curriculum, horse care, crafts, and games that makes developing horsemanship fun! Beginner—Intermediate: Come as often as you like! Reservations Required. www.ProvidenceEquestrianCenter.com 239-948-7669
On Sunday, 24th:
Annual Spring Egg Hunt
Centennial Park
2000 West First Street, Fort Myers
10 a.m.
The City of Fort Myers Recreation Division, invites all children up to six years old to join us for the
ANNUAL SPRING EGG HUNT, on Sunday, March 24th at Centennial Park. 4000 eggs will cover
Centennial Park and a special visitor is expected!
Event begins at 10:00 am with FREE children’s activities including face painting, sidewalk chalk
area, bean bag toss and a pre-Egg Hunt warm up with “Mr. Gary”. Concessions will be available as
well as a photo opportunity with the Bunny.
The Egg Hunt begins promptly at 11 a.m. Children must be able to walk on their own; parents will not be able to assist them. There will be a drawing for special prizes following the egg hunt! Children should bring their own basket to collect the eggs. There is no registration or fee required. 239-321-7121
source
I hope you have a great Florida day! Now get out and enjoy the day
