It’s 5 o’clock in Melbourne: Jimmy Buffett-themed Margaritaville resort coming to town

Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey says project construction will begin immediately

Drinks (Margaritaville Brand)

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The search for lost salt shakers, old men in tank tops and flip flop-filled gift shops is over for this Brevard County city.

Melbourne City Council members unanimously approved bringing the Jimmy Buffett-themed Margaritaville Landing and Riverwalk to life in Brevard County, according to the city’s Mayor Paul Alfrey.

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The low impact development project, which will bring the chain resort, restaurant and riverwalk to Melbourne, has been in the works for four years, Alfrey wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday.

“As (your) Mayor, and Melbourne native, I assure you that in the past 4 years I have worked with this developer, to not only bring in a quality destination, but build a project that sets the high standards for future low impact development that will help bring back a healthy lagoon,” Alfrey wrote.

He said it was important that the Margaritaville Landing and Riverwalk project not impact the health of the Indian River Lagoon and include stringent stormwater management to control runoff under the parking garage.

“Built to withstand category 5 hurricanes, the 221 boat slips will include a marina store and an electric boat charging station. The sea walls and floating boat docks are public access and designed to habitat fish and marine wildlife. There are also future plans to attach a riverwalk feature to the north on US1 by our City,” Alfrey wrote in the social media post.

According to Alfrey, the hotel will feature 146 rooms, multiple restaurants, a panoramic rooftop bar and a pool area with a tiki bar. The stage area and connecting lawn, spanning about 14,000 square feet, will also be built to accommodate local entertainment and about 1,000 people, the mayor added.

A 4-story parking garage will be built on the south end of the property, which will be designed for different events.

Alfrey said the next council meeting to discuss further development plans will be held on June 14.