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Developer says $58M and $80M investments planned for US‑19 and Guild Dogs sites; seeks permits
Summary
A resident-developer told the Planning & Zoning Board the team is preparing permits and financing for large redevelopment projects on two Port Richey sites and offered the city interim use of cleared property for events.
Ryan Burke, a resident of 29 Harbor Point Drive, told the Planning & Zoning Board during public comment that his development team is preparing permits and financing for two large projects: about $58 million planned for a property on U.S. 19 and roughly $80 million planned for the former Guild Dogs site. Burke said the team expects to have permitting activity soon and hopes to break ground in early 2024, subject to financing and final approvals.
“I’d love to be shovels in the ground in January or February,” Burke said; he added the timeline might realistically be March or April. He said the team had “majority of our financing figured out” and that renderings and permit materials would be presented to the board in the coming weeks. Burke told the board the developer will be amenable to short-term city uses of cleared lots—farmers markets or community events—while final project approvals and financing are completed.
Burke brought a contractor, identified as John (general contractor), and said the group plans staged construction: beginning work on the U.S. 19 parcel and then driving pilings on the adjacent site. He said the development team would meet with city staff in the next week or two to discuss sales strategy, retail mix and public use elements. A board member asked about a presales office; the developer said they were still finalizing those decisions.
The remarks came during a meeting otherwise focused on annexation. Board members encouraged publicizing “wins” from private investment that demonstrate how annexation and redevelopment can translate into local benefits such as jobs, waterfront activation and expanded retail. There was no staff report or board action approving the development plans at this meeting; Burke’s statements were recorded as public comment and the developer said he will return with formal materials to the board and the city council as required.
Ending
The developer will present formal plans and permit applications to the city soon; staff said they expect to review renderings and application materials in forthcoming meetings and will coordinate logistics for any interim city use of cleared lots.
