Fort Myers Beach Red Coconut site for sale, dividing island

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. (WINK)—The future of a major development on Fort Myers Beach is now uncertain, reigniting a debate that has divided the community for more than a year.

The company behind the former Red Coconut property, Seagate, is now potentially looking for a partner or possible buyer after facing legal challenges and public pushback. The property once home to the Red Coconut RV Park has sat empty since Hurricane Ian.

For some residents, the uncertainty is a disappointment. Marty Weit says it's a premium piece of property.

"They were able to really create something good there and, and really, I hope that they're, they're able to redesign and work something out," Weit said.

Weit believes the beach needs to keep moving forward. However, not everyone agrees with that sentiment.

Some people worry the scale of the project would change the character of the island and make existing problems worse. Captain Melody King, a resident, says the healing hasn't even happened yet.

"To hurt people and to build huge developments, not only does that become a scarcity for people that now have to protect their mental health, their physical health is in jeopardy," King said.

King wants the island to come back, but in a certain way. She says locals want development to start but are saddened at the thought of not remembering what building was where.

"Where there's a hole still almost four years later," King said.

Seagate has not responded to questions from WINK News. Whether the company sells or gets help, what happens next could shape the future of one of the largest plots of land on Fort Myers Beach.