In a recent semiannual joint meeting between Charlotte Commission and Punta Gorda City Council, newly appointed Director of Economic Development for Charlotte County, Tom Patton, outlined the exciting new developments for the 870 acre parcel known as Murdock Village.
Purchased by the county in 2003 for $118 million, and sitting vacant since then, much to the citizens of Charlotte County’s dismay, Murdock Village is on the verge of becoming one of the greatest entertainment and tourism destinations in all of Southwest Florida.
Currently three separate venues are under consideration that would coexist making this the “prized jewel” of Charlotte County. First on the list is a 300 room indoor-outdoor water park resort featuring miniature golf, go carts, zip lining and “acres of water-based thrill slides”. But this $68 million project, projected to create more than 500 jobs, is just one piece of this elaborate puzzle.
A 110 acre live theater music district featuring up to eight theaters surrounded by an array of shops, night clubs and restaurants, similar to the parks found in Branson, MO and Universal Orlando’s “CityWalk,” is also in the planning stages. However, the key component is the Ripkin Baseball Youth Tournament Facility which would be modeled after the Ripkin Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C. where approximately 1,200 youth baseball teams play tournaments each year. Combined, these three venues would make Murdock Village one of Southwest Florida’s premier tourist destinations.
With a corridor set aside to attract research and technology companies from all over the world, the possibilities for Murdock Village are endless, and the economic benefits for Charlotte County have never been better.
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