Charlotte Harbor Aquarium Committee proposes raising between $32 million and $35 million to build a 50,000-square-foot aquarium in downtown Punta Gorda. A consulting firm estimates the aquarium could attract between 130,000 and 300,000 visitors each year. Howard Kunik, Punta Gorda City Manager, commented, “Mote operates its facility in Sarasota self sufficiently, so why not here?”