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Council backs out of Marco Island hotel deal

Posted at 12:02 AM, Jan 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-01-24 07:35:51-05

After a lengthy debate Monday night, the Marco Island City Council canceled a deal to help build a Hyatt Hotel near Veterans Park.

"If there was one of those things you can sign, do you want the hotel, or don't you want the hotel, the answer to most locals in not in their f*** life," said resident Cindy Shuppleman.

The council backed out of a deal with Small Brothers Developers to build a 153 room Hyatt Hotel in between Park Avenue and Elkcam Circle.  A majority of residents who spoke at the meeting didn't want the hotel.

"I believe the developer is better off building the hotel in another city, like Central Park in New York," said one man.

Council members defended their right to nix the deal, saying the developer changed their design for the plans late last year.

Other people worried the hotel would contribute to traffic problems in the area.

"The property is not on or impeding on the park, it's on two parcels that are across from the park. The are zoned and deeded for hotel use," said Bud Baulsom, Vice President of Small Brothers.

A lawyer for the developer said he's unsure what his client will do next.