Residents express mixed feelings about new developments on Bonita Beach Road

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. —

Bonita Springs residents are expressing concerns about traffic and excitement for new amenities as construction continues on Midtown at Bonita, a development at the corner of Bonita Beach Road and Bonita Grande Drive.

Carole Martin, a Bonita Springs resident, said, "The traffic is just unbelievable; we can barely get out of our street into the roads that are being affected."

Brenda Adams, a seasonal resident, echoed the sentiment, saying, "It's gotten so much busier all the time."

Despite these concerns, Andy Zuckerman, president of the Zuckerman Group, believes the development will alleviate traffic issues.

"It's kind of been designed as this mixed-use center where you can come literally spend the day. We will have a little bit of it all right there," Zuckerman said. "So we believe that by virtue of those two areas, whether you're coming east to west or coming off 75, we are going to have more cars off the road then bringing cars onto the road."

Some residents are looking forward to the new amenities.

Adams said, "There isn't a lot of retail down this end. So I'm looking forward to that. Hopefully they'll be nice restaurants and some ladies' clothing stores."

In addition to Midtown at Bonita, another 204-acre project has been approved two miles east on Bonita Beach Road.

David Lavin, a local resident, shared his frustration with current traffic conditions, saying, "It's every night, it takes you almost a half hour to get from my place 2 miles down the road onto 75."

Construction on Midtown at Bonita is progressing, with hopes that tenants will be operational by the first of the new year. Zuckerman expressed optimism about the project, saying, "We have a terrific mix currently of national, regional and local tenants."

He added, "Before we even embarked on the project, we met with everybody in the area, and we still have family that live in that area, and everybody is super excited about the Midtown at Bonita."

Zuckerman emphasized the project's vision, saying, "The vision really has never altered or changed from the time we got our approvals. The walkable, bikeable, mixed-use concept is great. They have so many uses. So many could spend the whole day there. We believe this is exactly what the area needs."

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