Here’s how Suntex is planning to change the Fort Myers Yacht Basin

Significant changes are coming for a Lee County marina still recovering from Hurricane Ian’s devastation.

Boats were tossed around the Fort Myers Yacht Basin during the storm. But since then, along with the cleanup, there’s a plan to add new slips with floating docks and new shops and restaurants.

And not only is there no timeline for when the marina will be completed, but there are also plenty of unknowns on the horizon for the marina. To begin with, Suntex will have to secure state and federal permits before the company can build the basin, according to its plan.

Mayor Kevin Anderson told WINK News that process could take a while, but he’s hoping we will start to see some of the docks and seawalls replaced within the next year.

There is a lot of work to finish before the Fort Myers Yacht Basin’s metamorphosis is complete.

Suntex has a specific vision in mind for the yacht basin, which has the support of the Fort Myers City Council.

“It’s a good financial deal for the city,” Mayor Anderson said.

The City of Fort Myers will lease the yacht basin to Suntex for 30 years with the option for two 25-year extensions. Fort Myers will take in $400,000 a year for the first five years of the lease. In years six through 10, the rate jumps to $500,000 and jumps again in years 11 through 15 to $600,000.

“You then add percentage of sales from fuel and other operations they have, and that number will go up,” Mayor Anderson said.

The cash will flow in, but former liveaboard David DuVall must stay out.

“I think we were severely mistreated by the city. As far as the way they’ve handled this whole Suntex thing,” DuVall said.

It’s no secret that people who used to live in the Fort Myers Yacht Basin never wanted the city to sign the deal with Suntex Marinas. But after Hurricane Ian, liveaboards were ordered to leave. Leaving the basin lined with boats that don’t quite float.

Suntex will make at least a $30,000,000 investment in the marina, building as many as 382 boat slips with floating docks. And 2,600 linear feet of new seawall with shops and restaurants.

“This will be another jolt for the city, a good boost for downtown and the entire city,” Mayor Anderson said.

The people who still have boats in the yacht basin will have their leases pulled and have about 30 days to get their boats out. Suntex also paid off $2,000,000 in bonds that the city had on the yacht basin.