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FGCU - Bonita Springs Marine Lab Gets the OK

By
Real Estate Agent with Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL 676419

FGCU A Bonita Springs couple has sold Florida Gulf Coast University their waterside property in Estero Bay. The university will use to build a small field station for marine and environmental programs.

The property and new FGCU marine lab will be located at 5164 Bonita Beach Road. 

The property was sold to FGCU for $2.75 million, about $1 million below its estimated market value. The Bonita Beach Plantation Resort property is located on Little Hickory Island.

Norm and Nancy Vester, seasonal residents from Massachusetts who live a bulk of the year in Bonita Springs, have been in negotiations with the FGCU Foundation for the past several months working out the details of the sale.

The Vester's purchased the resort property about a year and a half ago. They live in a condo on the site, which includes an eight-unit apartment building and another building with four apartments. He agreed to sell the land to the university based on his contact with FGCU graduates and his interest in the restoration and study of marine life.  The Vester's will remain on site at the marine lab.  Visiting scientists will have access to the eight unit apartment building located on the compound.

The Bonita Springs property is the first marine lab investment in Southwest Florida.  FGCU has future goals of establishing a much larger, 27 acre lab in Rookery Reserve in Naples, Florida soon.

Read also:  FGCU Rookery Marine Lab

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Comments (5)

Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
Your commentary is welcome.
Jul 10, 2007 12:44 AM
Bob Carney
Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales - Mc Henry, MD
Licensed MD/PA Real Estate Agent
That's cool...They chose to invest in the future of nature instead of the future of their wallets.
Jul 10, 2007 01:16 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
THe negotiations have been very secret.  I had actually thought it was a marina about a mile or so away.  It never occured to me, once, that it was this locale.  Everyone that goes to the beach will have to pass it!
Jul 10, 2007 01:18 AM
Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider

That is very cool what they did.  Plus, it sounds like they are getting a good deal... sell it and still get to live there.  I would love to be in their shoes, more so to live on a marine biology station/lab.

Jul 10, 2007 02:16 AM
Leah Ross
Your Tampa Bay Mortgage Source - Tampa, FL
Tampa, Florida Mortgage
That is a great story Chris!  There are still good people out there that aren't all after money!  It's a good day ;)
Jul 10, 2007 03:52 AM