Skyway Resort proposed for south side of bridge | News

TAMPA, Florida- As the sun sets on the tranquil waters of Tampa Bay, one man is announcing big dreams for bringing dramatic changes to an area on the southern end of the Skyway Bridge.

"I've never seen anything like it... I really haven't," said a very proud Bill Blanchard of WRB Enterprises.

The environmental lands specialist believes he's come up with a plan for developing a hundred acre area near the south end toll booth balancing environmental responsibility with economic feasibility.

"There's no land where we propose to develop so no one's ever thought of it before," said Blanchard.

In exchange for the ability to develop some state owned land Blanchard and his group propose donating a massive area of untouched mangroves he and other investors own.

"We'll give all this, about 1000 acres to the state of Florida in exchange for about 100 acres around this interchange," said Blanchard while pointing at a map of the area.

The $250 to $300 million project would include a luxury hotel, shopping, entertainment and residential space.

"We want to put over-water bungalows like you might see in the South Pacific."

There would also be plans for public space: a marina and boat ramps, even a marine research facility.

But many Bay area environmental activists don't buy all the good intentions.

Blanchard admits convincing environmental opponents and getting the state and federal permits for such unique project will be the biggest hurdle.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our community, to do something there and to do it well."