D'Jamoos Group Offers to Speed Up U.S. 41 Widening

By Denise L. Scott
Ft. Myers News-Press
May 31, 2007

Naples developer The D'Jamoos Group is exploring a public-private partnership to speed up the widening of U.S. 41 from Corkscrew Road in Estero to San Carlos Boulevard in San Carlos Park.

The Florida Department of Transportation can receive unsolicited proposals from private entities wishing to finance project advancement with no transfer of ownership for the road. That would allow U.S. 41 to be widened years before it is scheduled in the state's work program.

The D'Jamoos Group has been working with WilsonMiller Vice President David Rivera to assemble a team that includes a contractor and an investor to prepare a proposal. WilsonMiller would provide planning and engineering services for the project.

“We're persistent in finding innovative answers,” said Betsy D'Jamoos, chief operating officer of The D'Jamoos Group. “We are working to be part of the solution to our community's concerns.”

FDOT's design for the project and acquisition of land is well underway but could be advanced if construction dollars were made available. Construction cost for the project scheduled to begin in 2010 is estimated at $28 million, with another $5 million programmed for construction inspection.

“The D'Jamoos Group's involvement as a good neighbor will benefit the community by facilitating an earlier delivery of needed infrastructure,” said Rivera. “It will be done in a way that is cost effective, but applied efficiently by a private entity whose only interest is cost effective delivery.”

The D'Jamoos Group has discussed allowing a portion of the 85 acres on the northeast corner of Corkscrew Road and U.S. 41 in Estero they purchased in March to be used as an equipment or materials staging area. The company is planning to use the site to develop Estero on the River, a mix of residential, retail, office and cultural uses. The company is also developing Coconut Crossing, Corkscrew Palms and Plaza del Sol in Estero.