Fort Myers Beach town leaders are holding a public hearing on a proposed 50-room boutique hotel in Times Square on Monday morning.
Developer Persaud Properties is proposing a pedestrian walkway, retail shops, and a rooftop bar. Some residents believe the area needs more hotel accommodations, while others feel it could harm local businesses.
"Everything we have is temporary because of FEMA. So we need buildings down here. We need development. We need hotel rooms. There's not enough hotel rooms down here," said Fred Mallone, owner of Buffalo Grill in Fort Myers Beach.
Sharon Vanlandingham, who works at the Beach Hut at Key West on Fort Myers Beach, has concerns that the development could cause harm to area businesses.
"I feel like that's going to destroy the area, because it's going to put all of these little huts and stuff out of business," Vanlandingham said. "Yeah, I don't think that's a good idea. We already have enough hotels and everything around here, and this is a beachy type area."
While the local planning agency has rejected the plan, the town council will make the final decision and is inviting public feedback at the meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. in the Town Hall chambers.
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