Current Issue
Hilton Variance and Expansion
Facts
Olshan Properties is seeking approval for a major redevelopment of the Hilton Marco Island property, including a second guestroom tower and additional parking. The proposal would increase the resort from 310 rooms to 626 rooms on approximately 10.5 acres, or about 60 rooms per acre.
Tradeoffs
Marco Island benefits from reinvestment in high-quality resorts, but redevelopment must be measured against the Comprehensive Plan, traffic, utilities, emergency services, stormwater, hurricane evacuation, coastal character, neighboring residents, and the precedent set for future projects.
My View
I support reinvestment on Marco Island, but any major project — including the Hilton proposal — has to earn approval through real traffic analysis and mitigation, not assumptions. I won't support Hilton without that evidence.
What I Could Support
I could support a significant renovation or reasonable expansion that improves the property while respecting the Comprehensive Plan, addressing parking and resiliency, and showing through credible analysis that the overall result works for Marco residents as well as the resort.