Plenty of good news for the local economy emanating these days out of the Fort Myers Daniels Corridor.  Recent positive announcements for this key commercial and residential corridor include Gartner’s plans to create 200 new high quality jobs, Comcast’s plans to consolidate and grow SW Florida customer service in Fort Myers, ongoing progress with the new Red Sox stadium and the opening of a new Porsche dealership.  When these announcements are viewed collectively there is much reason for optimism about this key Fort Myers corridor.

What excites me is that these three economic developments are contributing to the local economy in sectors outside of traditional residential construction.  A healthy economic future for Fort Myers depends on diversifying away from strict dependence on residential construction growth.

Some of the finest Fort Myers neighborhoods are located along Daniels Corridor.  This area is popular with golfers and home to several fantastic golfing communities including Fiddlesticks, Renaissance, Olde Hickory and The Legends.  The master-planned Gateway community is located at the eastern end of the Daniels Corridor and is the closest neighborhood to the new Red Sox stadium.

Here is a resource to learn more about Daniels Corridor real estate.

The most expensive home to sell in Lee County, Florida during June 2010 was an under-construction, river-front estate in Alva owned by former MLB player Mike “Gator” Greenwell.  This 8,100 SF estate, located at 12350-20 Old Rodeo Drive in Alva features 4 BR and 6 BA and 1,500 feet of frontage on the Caloosahatchee River.  The selling price was $3.060M / $378 SF.

Congratulation to selling Realtor Aldee Rosenberg with Coldwell Banker for closing the most expensive residential property in June 2010.

Honorable mention for 2nd most expensive Lee County home sold in June was a single-family gulf-front home located on Captiva in the Frowes Subdivision at 16183 Captiva Drive, Captiva.  This home is 3,743 SF and features 4 BR / 3.5 BA with direct beach access and a shared dock on Pine Island Sound. The selling price was $2.5M / $668 SF.

Congratulations to selling Realtor Jim Branyon of Royal Shell Real Estate, Inc for closing this transaction.

In June 2010, there were twelve residential transactions in Lee County with a selling price over $1M, this is down from seventeen in May 2010, thirteen in April 2010 and up from seven transactions in March 2010 and five transactions in February 2010.

Here is a resource if you are interested in learning more about Fort Myers luxury homes that are currently listed for sale.

If you are interested, Samir is now making his home in Pensacola at the Federal Prison Camp.  Samir was convicted of fraud associated with a a vacant land flip in the Daniel’s Corridor of Fort Myers.  His case was one of the most followed stories of the year and the entire region was relieved that justice was served.

The Daniels Corridor area has truly evolved into the “main street” of the Fort Myers region with the recent expansion of RSW and the upcoming development of the new Red Sox spring training facility.

Many are already familiar with Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers as it is one of the primary access roads from the airport to much of Lee County. In the old days prior to the airport renovation, it was where you dropped off your rental car and boarded the shuttle bus for the airport.

As the Lee County growth has spread eastward from the gulf, Daniels has emerged as one of the main east-west thoroughfares in the County. Daniels Parkway stretches from US-41 on its western end to SR-82 at its eastern end.

A multitude of fine communities are located in the Daniels Corridor and offer housing options for a wide swath of budgets tastes and lifestyles. Gated and deed restricted communities line both sides of Daniels Parkway and offer a wonderful roster of amenities for both year-round and seasonal residents. The Daniels Corridor also is home to several exclusive country clubs including Fiddlesticks and Renaissance as well as the master-planned Gateway community.

The Red Sox are a public relations and media savy organization. It wouldn’t surprise me that after spending the next month here in Southwest Florida and seeing the challenges up close, they will step up and change some of the parameters of the new stadium plan to improve their public perception in this deal.

First and foremost, Estero is close to the Coconut Point Hyatt where the Sox brass including Larry Lucchino stay during spring training. No more schlepping up US 41 through all those lights for the Red Sox bigwigs.

With one of the proposed Estero sites, it may be possible to share some parking with Germain Arena during spring training. This is a major plus for those concerned about the paving over of our paradise for a facility used only a few times a year. The access to I-75 from the proposed Estero locations is also outstanding, easing one of the major flaws associated with City of Palms Park.

Estero is home to the wonderfully upscale Coconut Point Mall, itself becoming a destination location for Southwest Florida. There is some really cool synergy in that Bob Kraft built a BassPro Shop next to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro…..it certainly makes sense to me that John Henry should build the Sox spring training home next to the BassPro Shop in Estero!

There are also linkage opportunities between the Red Sox and Florida Gulf Coast University. Having the Red Sox next door would certainly help put FGCU on the map up north in Red Sox Nation. An Estero location also expands the Red Sox drawing card to all of Collier County including Naples and Marco Island where many Beantown snowbirds like to hang.

A couple of neighborhoods in close proximity to a proposed spring training site that would prove very appealing to upscale Red Sox fans are Miromar Lakes and the Residences at Coconut Point. Miromar Lakes is recognized as one of the finest developments in Southwest Florida, with both a country club and magnificent freshwater lakes. The Residences at Coconut Point offer an interesting and unique urban living experience.

Let’s hope that Ray Judah and the rest of the Lee County leadership have the skills and resources to pull off a deal with the Red Sox in Estero.

Estero sites key to Lee County’s Red Sox designs [News-Press]

Like the Roman Army invading Gaul in 55 BC, Red Sox Nation has descended upon Ft. Myers for spring training. We are also fortunate to be the spring training home of the Minnesota Twins, although their presence is dwarfed by that of the red hose.

With the entire spring training sold out and scalpers charging hefty premiums, some of Red Sox Nation might be shut out of the games and have some spare time. Might it be worthwhile for you to invest some of this time looking for your own place in the Florida sun?

Maybe it is also time for some of the Red Sox family to put down roots here in SW Florida. Based on our knowledge of the team and of the local real estate market, the following are some property recommendations.

For Manny Ramirez, a 20th floor penthouse condo at Mastique where the views are priceless and privacy is at premium. With private secure elevators, it is unlikely that anyone will be bothering Manny at Mastique. On the market for $2.295M

Principal team owner John Henry would be a good fit for Casa Yucca, the former Sanibel home of CIA Director Porter Goss, is listed for $18.9M. The gulf frontage is amazing is amazing, the only worry would be where he would dock his yacht.

For Big Papi David Ortiz, a penthouse condo at Beau Rivage along the River in Downtown Fort Myers seems like a natural. How cool would it be for Big Papi to take an evening stroll on his namesake Ortiz Avenue. Listed at $898,000.

Ace outspoken pitcher Curt Schilling and his lovely wife Shonda would be a good fit for a home on exclusive Waite Island in St. Charles Harbour. With six bedrooms and a guest house, the Schillings will have plenty of room. Listed at $3.8M.

General Manager Theo Epstein is a bottom line kind of guy. We think he would definitely factor in resale potential before making a decision. With strong resale results, an 11th floor condo at Riva del Lago would fit the bill for Theo. A four bedrooms unit would provide space for Theo sidekicks Ben Cherrington and Jed Hoyer to crash.

Bullpen stalwart Mike Timlin is an outdoorsman and country boy. For him a home with acreage in Alva seems like a natural. This riverfront home on 1.8 acres in Alva is listed at 1.95M.

Knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield is one of the teams best golfers and is destined for a home in Renaissance. On those off days between starts, Tim can enjoy playing 18 on the wonderful Arthur Hills designed course. Listed at $1.895M.

Chairman Tom Werner and girlfriend Katie Couric like to entertain and this Gulf Harbor Mansion, owned by former WCI CEO and current Ambassador to Portugal Al Hoffman should fit the bill. A few years back this home was visited by “W” for a political fundraiser. The asking price a cool $17M.

First baseman Kevin Youkilis is still working on his initial contract and is not yet cashing the big checks. For Youk, a townhouse in the Stoneybrook neighborhood of Gateway listed at $259,000 seems like a good fit.

Team architect Janet Marie Smith is famous for her renovations at Fenway including the beloved Monster Seats. This Ft. Myers riverfront home in Palmetto Point listed at $2.5M could blossom with her golden touch.

If any members of Red Sox Nation are looking for a place down here to call home, please drop me a note and we can try to find it for you. If during our home search, you want to talk about Coco’s OBP or Paplebon’s K/9 that will not be a problem on this end.