The rhythm of the Margaritaville Resort's groundbreaking on Friday felt more like "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" than "Margaritaville." High hopes that the 254-room resort will revitalize the Times Square district of Fort Myers Beach, subtly energized the more than 200 people in attendance.
Barbara Hill, a beach resident, was among the hopeful that feel the resort will bring the 'no worries' vibe of Jimmy Buffet's iconic song to the area. "Two years from now, people visiting for the first time will say how quaint and relaxing this area is," Hill said while in a tent full of folks trying to keep cool.
Yet, Hill acknowledged that not everyone shares her vision. "People tend to romanticize the beach, but places change, and we need to change with it," she added.
Since plans for the resort were announced in 2018 by TPI Hospitality and Margaritaville Holdings, several residents and business owners raised concerns that the resort would flood the area with too much traffic and noise. Beach leaders listened to the worries, but approval to build went through with no problem.
So Friday, under a sky unsure whether to rain or not, 21 Margaritaville Resort and community leaders thrust their their shovels into Fort Myers Beach sand, hoping to find their 'lost shaker of salt.'
Resort construction begins today (Monday), and it's scheduled to open in summer 2023.