By MARIANNE PATON

pineisland@breezenewspapers.com‘>pineisland@breezenewspapers.com

Several island residents got a first-hand glimpse of a possible new shopping center on Pine Island. Presenting a plan for Calusa Cay to the members of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association was developer Jim Dumphy. According to Dumphy, the proposed project would possibly be home to the next Publix grocery store in Lee County.

“Publix is very interested in this site, but because of the current economic climate and its recent purchase of 49 Albertson’s grocery stores, they have not made a commitment yet,” said Dumphy. “Publix is a very prudent company but would very much like to serve the residents of Pine Island.”

Dumphy said that if for some reason Publix does not decide to take up residence in Calusa Cay, he is sure that another supermarket chain would welcome the opportunity.

When asked if the island needed another grocery story, Dumphy said that Publix had done a demographic study which indicated that the island population could support both stores. The plan for the 40,000-square-foot building will have a drive-up pharmacy and other retail and/or office units.

“The plan also includes three to four out-parcel spaces for future use, but for now, it is our feeling that the first phase of the project will contain retail spaces and perhaps medical and office space,” Dumphy said. “The future out-parcel spaces could possibly be used for a bank or fast food chains or other uses.”

According to the architectural design, the buildings will have a “Key West” look with tin roofs, batten boards, 30 percent transparent glass and stone frontage. The signage will be monument ground signs, not pillar signs also in keeping with the Old Florida style.

“We will be striving for a frontage that has downtown main street appeal and will landscape with a lot of native vegetation like seagrapes and saw grass,” said Dumphy. “We plan to make the project as upscale as possible and much of the area is protected mangroves and wetlands that can never be developed.”

The parking lot, still in the rudimentary planning stages, at this point could possibly accommodate 220 to 300 vehicles.

Resident Dave Lukasek expressed a concern about how this could affect the traffic flow on Pine Island Road.

“This could present a traffic problem which could potentially be dangerous and you know how much we are against the idea of installing a traffic light,” Lukasek said.

In response, Dumphy pointed out an access road that is currently built into the plan. The access road would accommodate large delivery trucks and other traffic moving them from Pine Island Road to the west end of the property where they would both enter and exit. He also said that the county may also require them to construct a left turn lane on Pine Island Road as well.

The location of the project is the vacant property located just east of the center next to St. James Auto and across the road from the Greater Pine Island Water Company.

Other concerns were expressed with regard to the lighting.

“Our plan is to install low impact hooded lighting. The hoods would direct the light downward having less impact on the night sky,” said Dumphy.

At this point, construction would not begin until the project has secured an anchor store such as Publix. It is estimated that it will be at least six months before the project is presented to the Lee County Hearing Examiner and then passed on the county commissioners for final approval. As for the permitting process, according to Dumphy, it will take at least 18 to 36 months before any construction could begin.

Following the presentation, the majority of GPICA members voted to support the project but will present the developer with six conditions that would be contingent upon final approval and support from the Civic Association.