An aerial graphic of the planned Margaritaville resort on Fort Myers Beach. Graphic provided

Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy has announced that the latest lawsuit over the Margaritaville resort project has been dropped after his meeting with the parties.

“From what I understand, it’s going to be a voluntary dismissal without prejudice. It’s over,” Murphy said. “It’s time to move on.”

The announcement follows a tense meeting at the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council in which supporters of Margaritaville, including several local business owners and the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, called for a resident challenge to the project to be dropped.

Supporters of Margaritaville had called for aggressive legal action to fight the suit, and called on the town to seek reimbursement of legal fees. Murphy said the agreement reached Wednesday ends all of that. Murphy said he was able to reach the agreement by “talking things over” with the parties involved.

“It means now we can get on with what we’ve been trying to do with the development of Fort Myers Beach,” Murphy said. “Now everybody can join together and move forward in a positive way to improve our community for everybody.”

Murphy estimated that the construction of Margaritaville will take at least one year.

Below is Murphy’s public statement regarding the agreement:

“I am very pleased to announce today that after several meetings with representatives of the plaintiff and myself in the matter of Christine Patton vs. the Town of Fort Myers Beach (filing #109979393 Twentieth Judicial Circuit) an agreement has been reached to end the lawsuit.

“The culmination of this action was based upon a mutual understanding between the parties that it is time to put our differences behind us and move forward. The redevelopment of our core commerce area has been long overdue and now our residents, businesses and visitors can all look forward to the improvements soon to come on Fort Myers Beach. I am fond of the expression ‘a rising tide lifts all ships’ and today I believe this will be the case here.

“I’d like to personally thank all the parties involved in the resolution of this matter and, on behalf of the Town of Fort Myers Beach, in the spirit of cooperation, declare the dawn of a new day here on Fort Myers Beach.

“Thank you!!”