Fishermen's Village Announces Plans for Major New Improvements - New Entrance, Center Court Remodeling, Beach, Harborwalk Connections, Much More

Fishermen's Village has been a focal destination and integral part of Punta Gorda since its birth in the late 1970s when it was repurposed from an old fishing dock built in the late 20s. Its waterfront shopping and boutiques, harbor view dining venues, live entertainment, marina, fishing charters, vacation rentals, military heritage museum and plethora of special events draw millions to our town, many of whom fall in love with Punta Gorda and stay, including this writer. The Village, a major magnet for the City with its premier location right on Charlotte Harbor, has been recognized by Gulfshore Business Magazine as the 2nd Top Attraction in Southwest Florida.

Wednesday, during the Punta Gorda City Council meeting, the new owners of the Village and General Manager Patti Allen announced plans for a two-phase $40 million makeover that includes an inviting new entrance, total revamp of the Center Court that will open it up for expansive views of the water, major marina improvements including the addition of a beach and endless pool, extension of the Punta Gorda Harborwalk to follow the shoreline and waterside of the village perimeter, a new mixed-use building to house more retail shops, restaurants, and new marina facilities, including a ship store, showers, laundry and community gathering space and much more. See below for the complete list and proposed schedule for improvements.

Patti Allen, long-time general manager of Fishermen’s Village, in describing the impact of the two-phased work plan to  City Council said: “Our improvements will create more than 100 new jobs and significantly increase revenues to the city from new sales, property taxes, and payroll taxes. We believe that our plans will help fuel ongoing efforts to establish Punta Gorda as a top-tier destination for tourists, snowbirds and year-round residents."

The renovation and development will occur in two phases. Phase one, scheduled to begin immediately and budgeted at approximately $8 million, includes:

• Constructing new main entrance: designed to be more welcoming.
• Renovating center court: removing plantings and infrastructure that block harbor views; raising the floor height to be level with the mall walkway; adding palm trees, new furniture, new decking for waterfront and sunset views, a moveable stage and retractable presentation screen; and adding beverage and food service.
• Creating additional parking.
• Extending the Punta Gorda Harborwalk: to follow the shoreline and waterside of the village perimeter terminating at Marion Avenue, providing spectacular sunset views and directly connecting Fishermen’s Village with downtown Punta Gorda.
• Opening Scotty’s Brewhouse restaurant in the former Oyster Bar location.
• Expanding and renovating restroom facilities.

Phase two, anticipated to be completed within five years at a cost of $30-35 million, will include:

• Building a new mixed-use building: housing retail shops, restaurants, and new marina facilities, including a ship store, showers, laundry and community gathering space.
• Constructing a parking deck: to accommodate approximately 150 additional parking spaces.
• Adding a sand beach with zero-entry and negative edge pool: overlooking the harbor.

The City Council on Wednesday agreed to sell two parcels of publicly owned waterfront property to the owners of Fishermen’s Village that will enable the above plans to move forward.