Airport property approved for development

The Lee County Port Authority Airports Special Management Committee and Board of Port Commissioners approved an agreement for a ground lease and commercial development of non-aviation land at Southwest Florida International Airport. The project approved is Phase 1 of the Madden Research Loop, the first of several properties to be developed in public/private partnership on a 750-acre site called the Skyplex Commercial Center, located on the north side of airport property on Chamberlin Parkway, off Daniels Parkway.

The developer is a subsidiary of the John Madden Company, a real estate development firm with more than 40 years experience that is recognized throughout the U.S. for its innovative approach to master planning which integrates public art, water features and public access parks in its developments. Based in Denver, with an office in Fort Myers, it has developed Class A office space in Colorado, California, Arizona, Michigan and other U.S. states.

Madden Research Loop is being developed as a bioscience and technology research complex that will attract academics, researchers and business entrepreneurs to a center where new ideas thrive in a natural, park-like setting. Phase 1 includes 25 acres of land and 275,000 square feet of Class A office and lab space in multiple buildings and a 3-story parking structure. Groundbreaking of the first building is tentatively scheduled for third quarter.

The first phase of the Madden Research loop is expected to support a total of 800 jobs and generate 500 new jobs in the life sciences and medical industries. This includes high wage earning positions such as pathologists, biochemists and microbiologists that have an annual income range of $65,000 to $129,000.

"The development of the Skyplex Commercial Center will add considerable economic benefits to Southwest Florida," said Robert M. Ball, executive director of the Lee County Port Authority.