This is an artist’s rendition of a proposed 80-room hotel a development group headed by Joe Dagostino hopes to build at John’s Pass Village.
MADEIRA BEACH – Plans for a $15 million, 80-room hotel at John’s Pass Village were unveiled April 29 during a public meeting at Madeira Beach City Hall.
The meeting, which was attended by about 20 Madeira Beach residents, was the first look by city officials at developer Joe Dagostino’s concept.
The hotel would be built on a 1.43-acre site on 129th Avenue. The tract, which is currently used as a parking lot, is bordered on the east by East End Lane, to the south by Fishermen’s Alley and to the west by Pelican Way.
The five-story, 14,244-square-foot building would face 129th Avenue with 42 parking spaces underneath at ground level. Another nine spaces would be available nearby on the property.
Dunedin architect Patty Stough said the structure will stand 54 feet, 2 inches and will have 25-foot setbacks. It will have a swimming pool on the second floor and a breakfast area in the lobby. There are no plans for a restaurant or a bar.
“The intent is for the hotel to feed all the businesses around it,” said Dagostino, who purchased the land with his brother Frank Dagostino as part of a deal in 2006 that also included Sculley’s and The Hut, an eatery and bar on the Boardwalk. “The point of this project is to help the surrounding businesses.”
He said the hotel has no name yet or national affiliation, but will look like the footprint for Hampton Inn hotels. Financing has yet to be finalized.
Dagostino, who is partnering on the project with his brother Frank and general contractor Bob Lyons, is venturing into hotel construction after a number of successful condominium projects. They include La Vistana in Redington Shores, Bella Rosa on Sand Key and La Contessa in Redington Beach.
The plans must still pass many hurdles for approval by city officials. Community Development Director Paula Cohen said the city would ask for an analysis of the plans by various Pinellas County agencies. Following that stage, any adjustments would be made before the public hearing process starts.
“Minimally, it will be four months but it could take longer,” said Cohen.
Lyons said the build time would be nine to 11 months, depending on weather conditions.
Among the obstacles for the project could be a lack of parking.
City code requires one parking space per room in a tourist lodging facility but John’s Pass Village is exempt as a special parking area that was created by city officials Nov. 28, 2006.
As part of the special parking area, the proposed hotel would need one parking space for every two rooms.
If city officials find that the proposed number of spaces isn’t enough, Stough said the plans could be adapted easily to a 40-room project.
Stough said all windows will be impact-resistant and the structure will meet all Florida building codes, as well as FEMA standards.
Plans call for implementation of energy-saving features throughout that will qualify the hotel as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building.
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