Public speaks in support of downtown Bonita plan

Public support came down overwhelmingly in support of Bonita Springs’ current downtown redevelopment plans as the City Council debates the future use of the catalyst property in the revitalization area.

Of the 21 people who spoke to the council, 17 said they were in favor of the Antaramian Development Inc. of Naples plan to turn the 5.3-acre Bamboo Village into the upscale Imperial Landing with shops, restaurants and condominiums.

"It is about time we started this project," said Al Engel, who owns a downtown bicycle shop. "Otherwise we are going to lose downtown."

The council approved the Antaramian project in January, although it appeared the plan would be rejected after three new members joined the seven-member council following the March 7 elections. The city has poured $3.5 million into the site in the hopes its development would turn around the downtown area.

The council members were mostly stoic during the public comment part of the meeting. Mayor Jay Arend and councilmen John Joyce and Ben Nelson have previously come down strongly in favor of Antaramian. Council members Alex Grantt, Pat McCourt and Martha Simons have come down strongly against. Councilman Richard Ferreira is the swing vote in the decision, although he has previously expressed displeasure with the project.

"It is disappointing to hear some of you have made up your minds before even going through tonight's workshop," said Mike Hoyt, who spoke for the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce and was in favor of the project.

John Spear, who was representing the Bonita Springs Downtown Redevelopment Alliance, spoke in favor of the project and said he had a petition with more than 700 signatures from people who agreed with the Antaramian plan. He asked the more than 200 people in the crowd to raise their hands if they were in favor of the project and 90-95 percent of the audience did so.

"In the 27 years I've been active in the community, I've never seen a project generate this many signatures either for or against," Spear said.

Of the four people who spoke against Antaramian, the concerns were about the setbacks from the river, how the taxpayers would be affected and what would happen to the current businesses and residents downtown.

Lucy Mastej, who spoke against the project, held up a petition saying 200-300 people did not want Antaramian to redevelop the Old 41 area.

The public comment portion of the meeting took about 45 minutes.

"It went much faster and smoother than I anticipated," said Arend, who runs the meetings.