As the site selection team charged with finding a location for the new Boston Red Sox Spring Training Sports Complex considers its options, one land owner has thrown a property situated in a prime location into the ring. With expensive infrastructure improvements already in place, a site central to all of Southwest Florida, and high visibility from I-75 and Treeline Ave., the Millennium Corporate Centre offers what is commonly thought the most important advantage in real estate: location, location, location.
Millennium Corporate Centre, which submitted its proposal to Lee County under the name Glevin 275/Slevin 275, is offering anywhere from 80 to 200 acres near Southwest Florida International Airport, for a cash outlay of just $84,000 an acre. The site already has the basic zoning approvals necessary, roads and utilities in place and its Treeline Avenue location is readily accessible from I-75 in the heart of the Southwest Florida area. This property offers the County a fiscally sound alternative over other options,” said Dan Delisi, Vice President of Delisi Fitzgerald, a land planning and engineering firm based in Fort Myers. “The cost of building even a short four-lane road to a site that does not currently have access has been estimated at $20 million and more. On our site, traffic can be efficiently managed by existing and planned roads.”
The Millennium Corporate Centre, a 310-acre planned mixed-use business park designed for corporate offices, research and technology, light manufacturing and retail, is located along the path of the proposed new I-75 interchange and between Alico Road and Daniels Parkway.
“Our site has nearly one mile of frontage along I-75 and Treeline Avenue, which gives it the valuable visibility sought by potential corporate sponsors,” Delisi said. “Its location would also help trigger industrial and commercial development in the corridor, thereby expanding the county’s tax base.”
Delisi also pointed to the commitment Lee County has made to the “Tradeport” corridor between Daniels Parkway and Alico Road. “Locating the stadium on our property supports the sizeable investment Lee County has already made in transportation and utility infrastructure in this area,” he said. “It would quickly generate a return on that investment through enhanced revenues, as well as spark development of neighboring sites to attract new businesses and attractions for visitors and tourists.”
The site’s proximity to Florida Gulf Coast University creates prime partnership opportunities, including the possibility of building a future football stadium for the school and research and development centers.
Millennium Corporate Centre, located within a short distance of 600 existing and planned moderate priced hotel rooms, has plans for an onsite full service hotel and surrounding commercial village with meeting and banquet facilities, restaurants and shops – elements that support the business vision of a Red Sox Village near the stadium. Designed in an environmentally sensitive manner that clusters buildings, forty percent is planned to be green space and lakes, Delisi said.
“This Village will support the attendance of folks in town for spring training – from Red Sox players and fans to media,” Delisi said. “It will also be an important conveniently located amenity for local residents and businesses throughout the year.”