There is a multi-million-dollar plan to revamp Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda, including a hotel, housing and more shopping.
Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda is calling it a “quality of life” expansion. It’s expected to cost between $200 million and $300 million.
“We’ve seen a great expansion, not only of people coming here, but people coming here and wanting to work here,” said Patti Allen, public relations and government affairs for Fisherman’s Village.
In addition to a hotel, there will be condominiums, both of which will have additional retail stores, restaurants and parking. And they didn’t forget about the workforce: The plan is to add two professional buildings to create affordable housing.
“We’re partners with the community, so it’s important that we roll out all our plans and get the community to understand all [of] what we’re doing,” Allen said. “It’s important for our service workers. May you be a teacher… firemen, whatever, a professional that cannot afford to live. That’s a shame. We need them to live and work in our community.”
Despite the plans to expand, the goal is to keep the same mom-and-pop small business feel.
“Everything that’s good about Fisherman’s Village, we’re adding more to that goodness,” Allen said.
Ken Feder spent time at Fisherman’s Village recently.
“This place will be wonderful when they expanded to provide the entertainment they need and the stores and the activities,” Feder said.
Adam Rissmiler agrees. He moved to the area from Ohio with his family.
“I think the expansions are great and necessary, needed because it’ll just attract more families like ours to the area,” Rissmiller said. “A lot of people are moving into the area. And it’s just a great place to bring your family. You know, we’ve brought our family, and yeah, we love it.”
The project is still in the early design phases and the Punta Gorda City Council would have to approve any expansion plans.
Allen is excited.
“After 18-and-a-half years that I have been here, Fisherman’s Village is just about to expand to its highest and best use. And, back in 2015, we had made a commitment to the city of Punta Gorda to do an expansion of Fisherman’s Village. And the reality is, this is the time, now, that we are doing it,” Allen said.
Once the project gets the go-ahead, construction would take five to 10 years to complete.