File photo
This model shows the back side of the project with
the swimmng pool, cabana and bar behind the
main lodge building.
HOLMES BEACH – When he heard that the city plans to revoke the site plan for the Mainsail development, company President Joe Collier said, “There will be fierce resistance on our part.
“They don’t have the ability to do that. We have entitlements (guaranteeing) what we’re allowed to build and those don’t sunset. That was an important part of our decision to purchase the property. We’ve spent a lot of money on that property.”
At last week’s commission meeting, Mayor Rich Bohnenberger told the board, “I’m asking the commission to take action on two issues. Instruct our attorney to draft an ordinance to set up a sunset clause for future site plans and take action to revoke the site plan for the Mainsail project.
“It has become an abandoned construction site and there has been no activity for five years. It has become a public safety issue as well as an eyesore.”
Commissioner John Monetti asked if they could do that, and City Attorney Patricia Petruff said, “We have to give them due process and have a public hearing and give them notice.
“They will have the opportunity to come here and explain to you why you shouldn’t revoke their site plan. Once you hear all that evidence, you can either choose to revoke it or give them a date certain or leave it as the status quo.”
Chair David Zaccagnino told Petruff to start the process of creating an ordinance.
Mainsail president speaks
Collier said he would have liked to begin the project immediately after the company purchased the property at the corner of Marina and Gulf drives in June 2009, but the economic situation prevented that.
“Things have steadied out now,” he explained. “We have sold a handful – what we needed to get started. We’re excited about the project
“We have to finish the last construction drawings. A project manager is on board and one of his first missions is to get this project started.”
Collier said architect Steve Smith, of Cooper, Johnson Smith, specializes in coastal construction, and the plan remains the same as a 3-D model of the main lodge and 37 condo/hotel units and town houses planned for the site that was unveiled in September 2009.
“Right now we’re operating a simple marina,” Collier said. “Once we’re open, it will have more life. It will be better than looking at weeds and rebar. It doesn’t look that great, and I appreciate their concern.”
Mainsail’s other Island project is the Beach Inn at 101 66th Street where two- and three-bedroom units in two buildings are being sold as a condo/hotel and rented as hotel units when not in use by the owners. Collier said seven have been sold.
The projects will allow guests to use amenities at both locations. Renters and guests from the Beach Inn will be able to go the Lodge and eat in the restaurant or get a boat, and renters and guests from the Lodge will be able to go to the beach at the Beach Inn.
Project history
The Mainsail Lodge and Marina, formerly the Tidemark Lodge and Marina, was begun by Nick Easterling in 2001.
It was to include the proposed Tidemark residences and marina and the Beach Inn. The combined projects, valued at $85 million, were to include 14 beach residences and 16 marina residences plus a 62-slip marina with boats and fishing guides and a 24-unit lodge with a 80- to100-seat restaurant and lounge.
However, Easterling filed for bankruptcy in 2004. In 2005, Reliance Realty Partners joined the project and the bankruptcy was resolved. In May 2007, Reliance bought out Easterling, however, in June 2009 the banks foreclosed on the properties and they were purchased by Mainsail.