$18.5M project brings promise of downtown to Bonita Springs

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla.- An $18.5 million improvement project in Bonita Springs broke ground Thursday morning.

The project is designed to create a downtown along Old 41. Some are saying it could become much like 5th Avenue in Naples. Bonita Springs is already seeing interest from investors who plan to spend just as much money.

“Our project alone will probably be a $14-$15 million project,” said Chris Campbell, Project Executive for EBL Construction. “I think there’s probably two or three other developers that will follow right behind us.”

Campbell says the downtown improvement is enticing to developers.

“Because of what the city is doing,” said Campbell, “trying to handle some of the parking requirements and some of the drainage requirements for the developers, so they can develop more square footage on the land.”

It’s not just about the parking, the multimillion-dollar project includes new roads, roundabouts, light pole bases, sidewalks, landscaping and more. The overall goal is to create a destination; a business, pedestrian and bike-friendly area.

“We had a lot of public outreach to the business owners, as well as folks who live down here and live within the city,” said Public Works Director Matt Feeney. “We’ve really worked with those folks to develop a design and a product that we think meets the needs of everyone in the community. A lot of folks are excited that this day has finally come.”

People will have to pardon the dust in the area for two years. Crews are taking the project block-by-block so as to not disrupt business too much. The goal for completion is September 2017.