LAND SWAP NEARLY FINALIZED

CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TOOK THE NEXT STEP IN COMPLETING A LAND SWAP INVOLVING MURDOCK VILLAGE TUESDAY.  COMMISSIONERS CLOSED THE MANDATORY 30-DAY BIDDING FOR THE 137 ½ ACRE TRACT OF LAND, AND THEY PLAN TO VOTE MARCH 22^ND TO ACCEPT THE SWAP WITH SOUTHWEST LAND DEVELOPERS FOR A NEARLY 34 ACRES PIECE OF SHOVEL-READY LAND NEAR THE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT.  THE GROUP HEADED BY BRUCE LAISHLEY WOULD ALSO HAVE THE FIRST OPTION TO BUY THE ADJACENT 100 ACRES IN MURDOCK VILLAGE AT WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED FAIR MARKET VALUE.  THE GROUP HAS SAID THEY PLAN TO BUILD A SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX, POSSIBLY A WATER PARK, ON THE LAND, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE A DOWNTOWN SETTING, RETAIL, AND HOUSING.  AN ANNOUNCEMENT COULD BE FORTHCOMING ONCE THE LAND SWAP AGREEMENT IS MADE OFFICIAL NEXT WEEK.