Update on Two Marco Island ALF Projects

It is no secret that the faltering economy nationwide may be impacting capital projects that have been in the planning stages for the last couple of years. So it should come as no surprise that the cost of materials and the rising cost of borrowing money may, in fact, be impacting some projects here in Southwest Florida.

Work by the Chancey Design Group regarding the planned Assisted Living Facility at the intersection of Heathwood Drive and San Marco Road has been one that has drawn the attention of residents and casual observers, as its progress has appeared to have stalled. The Chancey Design Group confirmed that his firm has been affected by some scheduling issues and other matters requiring their attention. “In the next week to ten days our contractor will be remobilizing onsite and we’ll be moving forward,” Walt Chancey told the Coastal Breeze News.

The Chancey Design Group project has laid dormant for most of the summer and into fall months. This after replacing the seawall on the property and preparing to lay in drainage infrastructure material.

On Monday April 5, 2021 council approved a project that would be more in line with the desires of council and residents after a long and arduous review process which required considerable adjustments to the original proposals brought forward to residents and to the city.

• Density reduced from the original plans for 200+ units to an 86-unit/92-bed assisted living and memory care facility from the original plans.

• Elimination of independent living units, significantly reducing traffic concerns.

• Total project size reduced to 10 acres overall, with the city being deeded a public park and public waterfront access.

• Total height of ALF building to be 35 feet plus one.

• The ALF Building to be 300 feet from nearest Waterside Condominium Residence.

• Concerns over consistency with City’s Comprehensive Plan would eventually come in compliance with city staffs’ desires.

• A commitment from NCH to have the proceeds from the sale earmarked for a new Urgent Care Center with upgrades to existing services was received as part of the final negotiations.

All of these discussions and citizen concerns regarding the original plans first floated in 2016 would end up costing valuable time and money. The result was a one-year hiatus which required Chancey to wait before he could move forward with this final alternative plan after losing the vote on the more aggressive design originally brought forward over six years ago.

Plans for another potential Assisted Living Facility on South Barfield Drive, located in the vicinity of Hawaii Court, may also be facing a similar set of challenges. This would involve the property that previously housed the Sanitasole facility, which was originally built to serve as an “adult memory care/day care facility.”