FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. -- After almost a year of legal issues, owners of the Margaritaville Resort can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
One of the lawsuits against the town of Fort Myers Beach was withdrawn by Plaintiff Christine Patton over the weekend.
“The keyword that ran through everyone’s mind was relief,” said John Gucciardo, Spokesperson, TPI Hospitality, Margaritaville Resort.
This civil action lawsuit has been holding up construction of the project for 11 months. The civil action lawsuit would have had a full trial that was set to start in November, but now it’s in the rear view mirror.
“Right now we are kind of re-evaluating what it means in terms of the existing businesses and the impacts on construction.” said Gucciardo.
For the other lawsuit a judge has been going through the documents that lead to the town council of FMB to approve the project.
“We are waiting any day now, for the judge to hand down the decision on that case, the town is very much expecting it’ll be a favorable decision for the town,” said Mayor Anita Cereceda, Fort Myers Beach.
Fox 4 spoke with multiple businesses along Estero Boulevard and all were in favor of the project, including The Doghouse.
“It’s going to bring business for everybody down here, I think everybody wins,” said Jason Unger, Co-Owner, The Doghouse.
“It’ll be a great addition to our downtown and our community as a whole,” said Mayor Cereceda.
The 7-acre Margaritaville Resort is expected to break ground the beginning of 2020 and will take a year and a half to complete. The resort plans to staff up to 350 employees. Now if traffic is on your mind, the company is working with a contractor to ensure minimal impact to people who live on the island.
