PLACIDA — The owners of the Placida Fishery property said plans are still in the works for a grand hotel and condos, and construction on the delayed project could begin as soon as this year.
Property owners Jay and Cookie Potter-Fienberg have been trying to develop the property since 2018. The fishery was the focal point of the area's fishing community from the 1940s through the 1980s, but after its heyday, it changed hands several times, and the buildings deteriorated.
The Potter-Fienbergs purchased the parcel and had the buildings demolished in 2018, while submitting plans to Charlotte County to develop a multi-million dollar resort with several dozen boat slips.
COVID-19, Hurricane Ian and permitting, as well as surveys, have been a major hold-up to their plans.
"Recently, the engineers have been working with Charlotte County utilities on the new plans, and that's where we are," Jay Feinberg said. "We're still working on permitting, but we hope to get the project underway later this year."
Feinberg said Charlotte County has approved a 155-room hotel, 99 condominiums and expanding the old marina from 44 to 79 slips.
Other permits have been applied for four three-story buildings with a ballroom, retail space, six three-story multi-family buildings with 99 dwelling units and restaurant, totaling more than 480,000 square feet.
"We just received the permit from the Corps of Engineers — after four-and-a-half years," he said. "That just gives you an idea of what it takes to get stuff done."
When permitting gets done, Feinberg said he'll be relieved and the project can finally get going.
"I've been saying it will get going for six years — and then there's always one more permit we need," he said.
Feinberg contracted with the Miami-based Integra development and investment firm to construct a five-star, condominium and vacation resort under the new name of Banyan Gasparilla Sound.
The property's plans stated that the condos will range from 1,450 to 2,161 square feet at a starting price of $1.3 million.
Integra Investments has a proven track record with resort communities such as Boca Beach House in Boca Raton and St. Regis Residences in Miami.
Cookie Potter-Feinberg is an avid bridge player with the Boca Grande bridge club. Bridge players on the island have no regular location in which to play. Feinberg is working on the contract that will give a permanent home for the bridge club.
Most Popular
Comments / 0