FELLSMERE — The investment and development group behind the shrimp farm in Fellsmere is branching out into retirement housing, the Fellsmere Property Owners Association found out Tuesday evening.
The group invited Oswald Sousa, of the Mirzam Group, to hear the company’s plans for the Fountains of Fellsmere, a two-prong retirement community serving those who do and those who do not need assistance.
In all, the two-phase project represents a $45 million investment and would encompass approximately 21 acres along S. Carolina Avenue, essentially between Broadway and Babcock and just south of 99th Street.
“At my age, I sort of like it,” Rick Lyman said of the proposed community.
He added that the developer’s plans could be a boon to the downtown area of Fellsmere, bringing more potential customers.
That’s part of the vision, Sousa told the property owners group.
He explained that in order for his project to be the success he expects it to be, Fellsmere needs a vibrant downtown.
“You’ve got a lot of good things going for you,” he said, noting that the downtown area is essentially a clean slate.
Having a downtown area with shops and eateries would help establish Fellsmere as a “day-trip” destination and would be a selling point for families considering the Fountains of Fellsmere for their elderly members.
How the Mirzam Group expects to help Fellsmere breathe life into the Broadway corridor was not discussed during the meeting.
Sousa said that if all goes according to plan, construction on the first phase could begin in about a year. That first phase would consist of 125 units – 40 for Alzheimer patients and 85 for assisted living.
Sousa estimates that the first phase of the project would generate approximately 80 direct jobs – jobs on site – and another 260 indirect jobs, through the economic stimulus the project would have on the surrounding area.
The second phase of the Fountains of Fellsmere would be the independent living side consisting of 106 apartment units and 32 detached units. That phase would generated 60 direct jobs, according to the Mirzam Group and 240 indirect jobs.