The Ansin Site

     The Ansin site is located approximately three miles from downtown Punta Gorda. It is situated most closely to where the majority of Charlotte County’s existing student population resides. The developer offered 165 continuous acres between U.S 41 and Taylor Road in the incorporated regions of Punta Gorda city limits.  The county addressed the need for infrastructure such as roads, waste water treatment facilities and sewage by offering to defray these costs.  Further, as housing for students, faculty and staff are of primary concern to the University, the potential for suitable affordable housing already exists as well as access to services such as shopping, medical care, and entertainment. However, the site location is limited to the original 165 acres with no further room for growth.  But the Ansin site remains the only site that lies within Charlotte County’s urban growth management plan.

                        The Hudson-SunRiver Ranch Site

      The Hudson-Sun River Ranch Site is located in the NE quadrant of Charlotte County about 11 miles from Interstate 75.  It is a 2458 acre tract within the Hudson Ranch located off Washington Loop Road and US 17.  The area has been owned by the Hudson family for the past 82 years who, in conjunction with Sun River Developers in New Jersey, hope to develop the area.  They anticipate the development of 5000 homes in the area, mostly upper end,if selected by FGCU. The Hudson Sun River donation includes 150 continuous acres, a $ 5 million cash donation for infrastructure as well as $ 750,000 per year for operating funds. The downside of the Hudson offer is its former use as agricultural land.  This may present possible problems with contaminated ground water and environmental sustainability.  Further, there is a definitive lack of adequate housing and services in the area.  There are no shopping centers, gas stations, or restaurants within convenient distance of the location.  Moreover, the remote location would require construction of roadways and water treatment facilities.  Finally, the Hudson site is located one mile outside the county’s growth management plan in area designated for future, not current, development.

                   The Land Solutions Site

     This site is located close to the Lee County border in southern Charlotte County  The Land Solutions development company offered a donation of 150 continuous acres, a $ 5 million donation for infrastructure costs as well as an additional $ 500 per residential unit fee assessed on future development.  The representatives of Land Solutions believe its location would draw potential students from northern Lee, southern Charlotte as well as Hendry and Glades counties.  However, its location would require the construction of an I-75 interchange at Nalle Grade Road in order to have accessibility from the interstate.  As well, urban sprawl is limited in the area as it is bounded by state lands.  Thus while commercial development would be curtailed, access for services would also be extremely limited.

                           The Eagle Site

     The Eagle Site is located east of Punta Gorda off County Road 74 approximately 6 miles east of US 17.  The offer includes $ 5 million donation and an additional $ 5.5 million in future operating funds.  The area is primarily agricultural with existing cattle ranches.  This location is remote with a lack of services such as water, sewage, and commercial development.  Moreover, CR 74 is a two lane road which would require expansion.  Further the road has been primarily a truck route used to reach interior Florida and traffic on the roadway has often been hazardous.  Its proximity to existing cattle ranches limits the sites urban growth potential as well as development for housing of students, faculty and staff.  However, the previous offer for the same area by Stock Development may conflict with FGCU’s future endeavors in the area.

The Crystal Site

    The last site, known as the Crystal Site, is located approximately 10 miles NE of the Eagle site on State Road 31 near the Desoto/Charlotte County lines. This site is the furthest in distance from the urban areas, located approximately 20 miles from downtown Punta Gorda.  The area is extremely remote, offering no local services. Currently the only main road to the area would be SR 31, a two-lane roadway with heavy agricultural traffic. Developers of the Crystal Site believe the it would “attract a new population, not an existing population” to the area by serving Desoto and Charlotte Counties as well as interior portions of Florida not readily serviced by a University.  A plus for this site is that it has the potential to encourage development of area as   residents migrate to the location.