Margaritaville breaks ground on Ft Myers Beach.
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Fort Myers Beach is about to get a whole new look and feel, as construction crews broke ground on the Margaritaville Resort Friday.
For a while, the resort was blocked by lawsuits. Then, the pandemic delayed construction. Now, fencing is up around the area, and they’re finally ready to start building.
The resort will take up over 6 acres and will have around 254 hotel rooms once complete, as well as a beach club and restaurants.
It’s a diamond in the … sand here for them to be coming here,” Scott Rediger said.
Rediger has been a fan of Jimmy Buffett since the beginning. He wears his fandom proudly in his clothing and his beach setup.
While some are concerned about the traffic, Rediger thinks that’s a good thing.
“You’re bringing in the crowds means money,” Rediger said.
That’s the hope for many businesses on the beach, especially for Kathy Doherty, a hostess at Sunset Beach Tropical Grille.
“They’re not just going to stay at their resort,” Doherty said. “They’re going to venture out, and they’re going to come to all the other shops and restaurants around the area.
As with any big change, this one has met with resistance and excitement in equal measure. Some neighbors don’t like to see the small town of Fort Myers Beach grow too big, and were upset when the iconic Mermaid Lounge got shut down.