City Marketplace Changes Hands and Mote Museum Moves Closer to a Reality for Punta Gorda

Thursday  during a city strategic planning session it was announced that Bruce Laishley, and a group of local investors that includes Rich Treworgy (of the Muscle Car Museum),  Punta Gorda Realtor Lyn Bevis and  Joseph Boff. a Naples developer, acquired the property known as "City Marketplace." One of the large missing teeth in the Punta Gorda cityscape may soon be filled.

Laishley and partners obtained rights to the property, previously owned by Ron Oskey, in a bankrupcy auction on Thursday.   According to a Laishley associate "this is a first step towards bringing a Mote Marine Laboratory aquarium here".

The vacant lot right off Punta Gorda's main street, Marion Ave., across from River City Grill is the site that Mote has eyed for a location.