New hotel could arrive soon in downtown Fort Myers Beach

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla.- A big project is gearing up on Fort Myers Beach. WINK News is uncovering plans for a proposed hotel along Estero Boulevard.

The group who bought the property says they want to redevelop downtown Fort Myers Beach. While specific plans have not been revealed, Tuesday was their official first meeting with the town.

“That’s the only thing that will work, a condominium won’t work, because there is too much partying down here,” said FMB local Chester Rogers.

WINK News found out a building just north of Canal Street on Fort Myers Beach was just sold.

Rogers tells WINK News “2 1/2, 3 star is the right price range and should fit.”

The plans surrounding what will be built have not been revealed, but WINK News found out it could be a hotel.

“I hear from people all the time that have to stay off the island because they couldn’t find a hotel room, perhaps a nice, new hotel would be a benefit to them,” said Kelley Reischl, owner of Kelley’s Gourmet Treats.

Reischl rents space in the building to run her business.

“I knew this could be a possibility, the area could use some freshening up, I think it’s only a positive.”

But, come next October, her lease is up and she may have to find a new place to go. WINK News has confirmed the Minnesota-based group who bought the property is in the hotel and restaurant business.

“We have done extremely well, and we will simply just find another location here on the beach.”

The news of this project comes at a time when the town will soon be breaking ground on a project to redo Estero Boulevard.

“It could be a little bit tricky, after Easter they will begin construction and tearing up the road, hopefully not as bad as we are thinking it’s going to be,” Reischl told WINK News.

WINK News is told the Mermaid Lounge is also part of this project. The sale of the lounge is expected to be a done deal in May.