Arches Bayfront project at Moss Marina on hold
The Arches Bayfront project at Moss Marina on Fort Myers Beach has been put on hold, said Moss Marina owner Ben Freeland.
Freeland, who had proposed a multi-hotel concept at the marina, cited a recent joint meeting of the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council and Local Planning Agency regarding the town’s comprehensive plan in explaining his decision.
In a letter sent out by Freeland, he referred to two applications sent to the town for the project including a map amendment which would include the Arches Bayfront properties in the Pedestrian Commercial future land use, and another application which would entitle the properties under a Commercial Planned Development (CPD) with uses of hotel, marina, restaurant, retail and civic spaces.
Freeland said he invested in urban planners and undertook an “exhaustive community engagement process” which resulted in incorporating the community’s input for “a water ferry, visual lines of sight to the water, and a publicly accessible bay front park.”
Freeland, in a letter, said “we have decided to pause our CPD application at this time. We very much want to be part of the rebirth of FMB, and are committed to proceeding in a way that is in alignment with what the community wants. We plan to move forward with the minor map amendment.”
Freeland had proposed three hotels at the Moss Marina site which would range in size from 150 rooms each for two of the hotels that will have mid-range and extended stays. A third hotel, which Freeland described as a boutique hotel, would be smaller with 100 rooms. Two of the hotels would be six stories high and another hotel would be five stories.
Under the redevelopment plans, the four-acre bayfront property overseeing Matanzas Pass and the bay would open up access to pedestrians and bicyclists along a 1,000-feet linear park overlooking the bay down to Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, Bayside Park and Nervous Nellie’s. Freeland envisions spots along the baywalk being opened up to vendors. He is also exploring options for restaurants and shops.
Water ferries, waterboats, kayaks and charter boats would also be welcome at the marina with a focus on water ferries, or water taxis, in order to facilitate more efficient travel on and off the island. Freeland said he has spoken with other businesses and marinas about coordinating ferry service.
Freeland also purchased Smokin’ Oyster Brewery on Old San Carlos Boulevard, which he hopes to rebuild and reopen next summer. He said there are also expansion plans for RUDE Shrimp Co, which rents property from Freeland near Moss Marina.
“We are really excited about all the marina operations. First, we plan on expanding our drystack storage with up to 90 additional slips. We also purchased a new state-of-the-art forklift that can handle up to 50′ vessels, plus we have utilities back at the wet slips,” Freeland said.