A waterfront destination featuring a tiki hut, stage, bar area and other amenities is being planned for the former Bayfront Center site at Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda.
Bayfront Center was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and later demolished. A concrete slab is all that remains at the site.
Punta Gorda City Council on May 21 gave Principal Planner Carl Benge, of Urban Design, the green light to proceed with the concept based on renderings developed from a recent public workshop and city staff input.
The proposed venue, located between the waterfront and Retta Esplanade, would include a 7,500- to 8,000-square-foot tiki hut and open space to accommodate food trucks and porch-style swings facing the water. The area is expected to host events, such as live music nights and markets, and the tiki hut could be rented for private events, including weddings.
Benge said the goal is to make the venue a destination.
He presented two options for the hut, including a traditional chickee hut, but it would have restrictions. Florida law restricts the construction of chickee huts to the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes. Chickee huts also cannot contain electricity, plumbing or HVAC systems, and must be built using natural materials. The roof would be a palmetto thatch, and the logs would be made of cypress.
City Council discussed having electricity for lights and fans, so it chose to have a tiki hut at the park.
Both Fishermen’s Village and TT’s Tiki Bar at Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda have tiki huts that were not destroyed by the most recent hurricanes in 2024.
City Council agreed the tiki hut should have a natural thatch roof rather than a synthetic one. Although the synthetic thatch would last longer — up to 20 years — it is costlier than a thatched roof that could last up to 8 years.
Mayor Debi Lux recommended setting aside a maintenance fund for the roof, which will require more upkeep than a synthetic alternative.
Benge said $122,000 has been spent from insurance funds and approximately $1.17 million remains. The original budget of $343,000 is still available, and Federal Emergency Management Agency funding may be available for future improvement proposals.
The site could also have storage for Sunfish sailboats, kayaks or canoes that would be concealed on the grounds.
Council member Janis Denton suggested that the city contact the Punta Gorda Boat Club located to the west of the former Bayfront Center. The city owns the land, but the boat club owns the building.
Earlier, Tom Cavanaugh, co-founder of the nonprofit Learn to Sail program, told Council he needs additional space for the program’s equipment.
Benge said he would modify the present plans and incorporate changes that were discussed, then return to Council with the proposal at a future meeting.
