Commissioners approve new lot for bikes, carts near Margaritaville Beach Resort

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve the Tourist Development Council’s recommendation to use Tourist Development Tax Reserves to add paid parking for up to 56 bicycles and 29 golf carts at the former Seafarer’s Mall property in front of Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach.

The $163,200 project will also add space for a Lee County Sheriff’s Office outreach center and a drinking fountain.

According to county officials, the $163,200 project will be funded by $71,950 in reserves from the Tourist Development Tax on short-term lodging, $56,250 in Lee County General Funds and $35,000 from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to relocate the Outreach Center.

Lee County acquired the property in June 2010, along with the property that is now Crescent Beach Family Park. The former Seafarer’s Mall on the site was demolished in 2011. Since that time, the property has supported several county operational needs, including LeeTran vehicle storage, staging and support for beach construction projects, temporary parking for Lee County Sheriff’s Office vehicles and other county activities.

“We’re very happy to see the County moving forward with additional parking for bicycles and golf carts at Seafarers,” Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said. “We’ve historically had an issue with bicycles being locked to the bridge and other areas around Times Square, so providing a designated place for them is a positive improvement.”

Allers said he spoke with Lee County District 3 Commissioner David Mulicka and a couple of the surrounding business owners about the idea several months ago. “I did not have any direct involvement in the County’s decision or vote,” Allers said. “I appreciate the County looking for creative ways to improve access and parking around the beach.”

Allers, who is a partner in a golf cart business on Fort Myers Beach, said “our business will receive no financial benefit or gain from this parking lot, nor would any other golf cart business on the island. It simply provides another parking option for people who choose to travel around the island by golf cart or bicycle.”

Allers said the lot will be used just as any other car parking lot in town.

During a Lee County Tourist Development Council meeting last month, Lee County Parks & Recreation Director Mack Young presented plans for the site. Young said the drinking fountain would support bicyclists and pedestrians. “It’s about unlocking potential for a premiere beachfront location,” Young said.

“I’ve never seen golf carts backed up trying to park, it’s always cars,” said Tourist Development Council Chair Robert Wells.

Young took questions from Wells as to whether there was a need for golf carts and whether golf carts were allowed on Estero Boulevard. Young said the golf cart spaces are intended to relieve traffic congestion.

Young said part of the hope behind the plan is to get more people using golf carts, rather than cars.

Council Chair Cecil Pendergrass questioned how the carts would be charged, and how the county would know who is being charged or know who to charge.

There was a question as whether there was any representative from Fort Myers Beach to discuss the project, but no town officials were in attendance.