Plans for paradise in a North Fort Myers neighborhood

Scott Peterson can recall many memories living on the golf course in this North Fort Myers neighborhood.

“It was nice for the economy,” Peterson said. “People would golf and they’d have nice restaurants that people would go to a lot more. It was beautiful to look at.”

Moreover, when it shut down over a decade ago, he said it was a significant loss for the community.

“We miss seeing the golfers and the beautiful green grass the lake,” Peterson said.

However, a new development could soon bring it back. Developers want to turn 271 acres of empty land into their version of paradise.

They’re calling it Paradise Isles. Developers are working on rezoning the property to fit a 543 room hotel, condos and 600 multi-family homes, among other amenities.

Plans include updates to the Paradise Marina. All of it could cost between $600 million to $1 billion.

Bob Jensen has attended neighborhood town hall meetings since the plans first came up. He said some neighbors still have concerns.

“It’s progress and I’m all for it,” Jensen said. “People want to know what it’s going to do to their property.”

But many people we talked with believe the new development will help revitalize the area and bring up property values.

The next zoning hearing on the project happens in November. The developer just unveiled a new website where neighbors can add questions or comments.