So far, so good

Retailers, restaurant owners and professionals generally are satisfied with road access to their businesses amid the disruption of the second phase of Collier Boulevard development on Marco Island.

That phase is from the San Marco Road intersection to just before Winn-Dixie, opposite the Esplanade complex.

Those who have experienced slight hiccups in their turnover believe it's going to be worth the wait.

"It's a little slower sometimes," said Eveling Zavarse of Kwik Stop, but the access point and signage is good."

Tonya Webb of the Nail Emporium said the whole operation is a little inconvenient.

"It's a bit confusing for customers when the road is closed on one side and then on the other, but looking down at the south (completed phase one) end, it's beautiful. What we're going to have here is beautiful too, so it's a matter of being patient and waiting for it to get done."

Webb said an advantage of phase two over phase one is that two-way traffic is accommodated, as opposed to motorists previously having to take huge detours.

Jim Barney, owner of The Italian Deli at South Seas Plaza, one of a series of strip malls in the area, was upbeat, but had some suggestions.

"Basically, the construction is of benefit to us," he said, "because it's easier access from the street right now."

He said at any rate that his customer base is mostly regulars and locals, so they're not confused about finding the place.

Photo by QUENTIN ROUX, Marco Eagle

Retailers, restaurant owners and professionals generally are satisfied with road access to their businesses amid the disruption of the second phase of Collier Boulevard development on Marco Island.

"So far, so good," he said, "and I'm pleased that we're getting a turn lane (in front of the strip mall) instead of a median."

At the same time, Barney said he would be pleased if the city helped to ease the parking hassles that manifest themselves not only in season, but during the summer as well.

"I'd like to see them take their energies and see what they can do about providing more parking at the back of the strip," he said. "People use the place to park anyway, but it could be done properly."

Barney believes another plus would be linking the various strip malls — they house about 30 businesses including his deli, some law offices, a pizza place, two hair salons and a nail salon, at least three restaurants and a rental equipment business — with one continuous parking lot serving them all.

"Then they could put flowers and walkways at the road so everyone could get in and out easily," he said.

Barney said the series of strip malls actually comprise a business hub that rivals the traditional other big centers, the Town Center Mall, the Shops of Marco, the Esplanade complex and Marco Walk at the south end of the island.

He lamented the fact that high rentals in some of the malls are forcing tenants out.

"Look at the Shops of Marco," he said. "I think the malls should consist of commercial condominiums. That's the way to keep a small community a small community and give small business owners a chance."