Come Join the Fun at Punta Gorda’s Xtreme Makeover
August 10th, 2009
Its hard to believe that five short years ago, the Red Cross and National Guard as well as many other relief organizations were sending trucks full of supplies for our hurricane ravaged town. Former President Bush and his brother former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, toured our area as did other noted politicians during an election year that brought a quick response to a Southwest Florida waterfront county (Charlotte) shocked by the unexpected impact of a Category 4 Hurricane.
August 4, 2004 may always be remembered as the day when Hurricane Charley devastated Charlotte County, but it also marked the beginning of a rebirth that has turned Port Charlotte, and Punta Gorda from a conservative retirement community, to a younger more vibrant destination.
In five short years, Port Charlotte has seen a residential and commercial rebirth adding such well know national franchises and retail establishments as Panera Bread, Kohls Department Stores, and Carabba’s Italian Grill. However, the quaint historic waterfront City of Punta Gorda has taken on a whole new life with the emergence of new hotels, marinas, and a diversity of eating established few could ever have imagined.
As a Realtor, I am often guarded in my exuberance at the change that has gone on since that August summer day, as many people lost homes and businesses. But in their loss, a systematic and well planned effort to take the “blank slate” Charley left in its wake and turn a City with immense potential into a reality has come to fruition.
Starting with a grassroots organization of residents and business owners alike, TEAM Punta Gorda was formed to help redesign a city poised to take advantage of its harbor front location. Within a short period of time, TEAM Punta Gorda hired reknown Master Planner, Jaime Correa to create a “Master Plan” for the rebuilding of the City of Punta Gorda, and the effort is paying off.
Today, roof top dining, boutique hotels, nationally recognized marinas, and a host of dining options never seen before, dot our City’s landscape. The historic Ice house is now home to an authentic English Pub. A former retail location is now The Downtown Hookah Lounge, featuring middle eastern cuisine and belly dancing. Bin 82 is a wine and cheese café serving a variety of Tapas. The boutique Wyvern hotel is a Ritz Carlton equivalent, with its roof top pool, bar and seating area, looking out over the city skyline, north to Charlotte Harbor and Port Charlotte beyond. The Sheraton Four Points hotel has just opened with new condominiums and waterfront shops lining the Harborwalk planned for future development. The new Charlotte County Events Center, a twenty million dollar project, gives us a state of the art facility to house venues never seen here before. The Sunloft Center is a unique building that though an amazing architectural plan gives the illusion of multiple buildings. On the ground floor is Jack’s, a new neighborhood restaurant with outside bar area along Marion Avenue. The upper floor will be office space and the top floors will be condominiums with views of the city skyline, capturing beautiful sunset views. Laishley Park and Marina and the new Laishley Crab House are the newest attractions to the area. This state of the art marina facility and public boat ramp offers over 80 new slips for long term and short term dockage. The park itself features an outdoor band stage for year round concerts, and the new interactive fountain has been a hit for families and friends to enjoy on hot summer days.
Overlooking the marina is a 23,000 sq ft Key West Style facility that houses the Laishley Crab House Restaurant. Just opening, this exciting new dining experience features both an inside and outside bar area overlooking Charlotte Harbor and the adjoining Peace River to the north. Inside you are treated to a dining experience masterfully decorated with some of the most unique wood carvings imaginable.
Charlotte High School is soon to be completed joining the Punta Gorda Middle School as two educational facilities that were completely rebuilt far beyond their original design. The high school will boast of a new technical building for those with engineering and computer interests, and the athletic facilities and track are seen only on collegiate campuses. .
While there is still much more growth that needs to take place in attracting new business such as technical, manufacturing, solar, aeronautical, medical and telemedicine, in five short years, Charlotte County’s Port Charlotte, and the City of Punta Gorda, have made great strides in becoming vibrant social and residential communities while maintaining their appeal as vacation destinations.
This weekend, August 15th, the City of Punta Gorda is hosting a City wide event called “Xtreme Makeover”, that will celebrate the accomplishments that have been made in five short years. For some, the change couldn’t have come soon enough, for others, it is a reality beyond their wildest imagination. With expanded interest in the arts and cultural interests, as well as a diversity of job growth, Charlotte County stands poised to unseat Sarasota and Naples as the most unique waterfront destination; it certainly is the most affordable.
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