"Florida airport looks to develop its land"

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Airport looks to develop its land
100 acres cleared for commercial uses
By Laura Ruane 
The Fort Myers (FL) News-Press

  
Before year-end, Southwest Florida International will be in the market for a
master developer for some of its vacant land.

That goal was part of a progress report given at Monday's meeting of Lee
County commissioners and citizen advisers to the county airports.

According to consultant Ron Ratliff, 100 of the more than 800 acres targeted
for Skyplex Commercial Center have the zoning and related hurdles cleared. 

These acres on the airport's north side near Paul J. Doherty Parkway,
Gateway Boulevard and Daniels Parkway are best suited for non-aviation
development, Ratliff said.

Meanwhile, Lee County Port Authority staff is marketing 75 acres around the
site of the former passenger terminal for aviation development. That
building was razed following the opening of the new terminal in September
2005. 

Aviation-compatible uses such as component manufacturing and assembly,
materials distribution and office parks can help diversify county airports'
revenue base and provide money for future construction projects, Ratliff
noted. He cautioned that "depending on the complexity, a typical airport
project can take three to 12 years to implement."

His enthusiasm, though, was echoed by Janet Watermeier, former county
economic development director and chairwoman of the Airports Special
Management Committee.

"This development probably will be the best economic development project
that Lee County will ever see," she said.

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