Coral Grove Development Update

Coral Grove City Center details available

Coral Grove City Center will be a defining project for the Northwest Cape, if not the city as a whole.  You may have seen the vision on a sign on the north side of Pine Island Rd. where the project will sit between the electric power station and Bubbas.  But the sign doesn't do the vision justice.  If you go to the two websites below, you can get an in-depth look at what developers are planning for your dining, shopping, and entertainment future.

L&L Development Co., a successful New York City firm that has moved into the Florida market is behind the project.  The design was completed by Design 3 International, a worldwide architectural and planning firm (South America, the Middle East, Europe, and the USA).  This project has big money and big ideas behind it.  Their goal is to capture the classic Florida charm with the latest modern amenities.

How good could this be?  How does a cinema, a bowling alley, a comedy club, and an outdoor multi-purpose entertainment area sound?  Cafes, brewery pubs, coffee shops, retail, fitness center, hotel, offices, and a grocery store, not to mention five sites along Pine Island Rd. for commercial or office use.  The project will also include over 1200 residences in apartments and townhomes on the site's edges and along the town square with retail shops below.

The project has been in permitting since December 2022.  Let's hope city staff prioritizes this one because when it's done, it will be a game-changer for our area and a gathering place for residents and visitors.

[video mp4="https://nwcape.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/coral-grove-lifestyle.mp4" poster="" ][/video]Discover Coral Grove - CLICK HERE NOW!Discover Town Center Details - CLICK HERE NOW

Here We Grow Again - May 2023 Newsletter

Development Projects Updates

While apartments seem to be taking up all the oxygen, there is other development going on in our area.  Here are some of the retail and restaurant projects coming to our area.

Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux, a Louisiana-based chain of restaurants/sports bars that features Cajun and Louisiana-style food, is proposing to build one in the parking lot of the shopping center on the north side of Pine Island Rd. just east of Aldi, home to the Around the Clock Fitness Center and one of the most colorful storage facilities in Cape Coral.  Po Boys and Gumbo are coming your way!

Walk On Bistro

If you've seen construction going on at the NE corner of Skyline and Veterans during your travels, that would be for an Outback Steak House. 

The old Golden Corral on Pine Island Rd., which we reported was bought with plans for a new restaurant and possibly some retail, will be the location of a Texas-based sports bar and restaurant known as Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks bills itself as the ultimate sports lodge reminiscent of a comfortable cabin in the mountains with down-home cooking, plenty of specialty beers and all served by the Twin Peaks Girls.

Twin Peaks

Groundbreaking for a 30,000-square-foot retail project in our area is expected to begin this summer on the north side of Pine Island Road at SW 10th Place, just east of Boaters Paradise. The Shops at Del Mar will consist of four single-story buildings with 370 feet of frontage on Pine Island Road. The shopping center will offer a drive-thru unit and parking. The project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2024.

The Shops at Del Mar

On the north side of Tropicana Pkwy., just a lot or two east of Burnt Store Rd., there is a plan to build a Dollar General Store.  While there are a few already in our area, you can never get enough convenience and consistency.   

Will Burnt Store Rd. be a Storage Facility hub?

Eventually, there could be four storage facilities dominating the scenery along Burnt Store Rd. between Embers and Tropicana Parkways.  How all this plays out with City Council's moratorium on new Storage Facilities and the restrictions placed on them along Burnt Store Rd. remains to be seen.

The 3-story Embers Storage facility on the north side of Embers and the west side of Burnt Store Rd. is in permitting.  Area residents are voicing their disapproval of the project to City Officials because of building size and increased traffic in proximity to surrounding homes.  Now, there's a proposal to build another storage facility on the north side of Embers, but on the first block east of Burnt Store Rd. It's called Marble Creek Self-Storage.

Hideaway Storage is already operational on the south side of the 7/11 at Tropicana and Burnt Store.  A facility known as Burnt Store Self-Storage features six 2-story buildings and is currently in permitting for the NW corner of Tropicana and Burnt Store.  They are, however, selling a 1-acre lot at the corner to be used for commercial purposes such as retail or restaurant.  That's a positive sign as Tropicana and Embers are the main entry points into the resort to be built on the Seven Islands.

Burnat Store Storage

Even though it's known for its 644 apartments, the project on the southwest corner of Veterans and Pine Island Rd. also features a commercial portion.  Fischler Real Estate is marketing the commercial space which is about 6.5 acres at the corner of Veterans and Pine Island Rd. The advertisement has a conceptual site plan showing what the project may look like as concepts can always change.  The first phase of 316 apartments in six buildings and a clubhouse are in permitting now along with infrastructure.  In the concept below, suggestions are for a hotel in the blue section, restaurant/retail in the pink, "other commercial" in the orange, and a stormwater management pond in the green.

There are another six buildings slated for later construction on the western side of the property. Take note of the access road that separates the commercial portion from the residential but also connects eastbound Pine Island Rd. to Veterans.

Conceptual Site Plan

Explore NW Cape's Thriving 2023 Development

Here we Grow - Development Preview for 2023

Here's an idea for starting off the new year.  Take a drive around the Northwest Cape and commit what you see to memory.  By the end of 2023, things may look a lot different than they do today.

You can see what we mean already with shovels in the dirt currently for several projects along Pine Island Rd.  Groundwork is underway at Coral Shores for an Achieva Credit Union going up on the west side of the 7/11. Ground has been broken for the "Springs at Coral Shores," a 308-unit apartment complex, with two national (but unnamed) restaurants along Pine Island Rd. just east of McDonald's.

The Latigo Group is well into building infrastructure for a 444-unit apartment complex called "The Hadley" on the east side of Chiquita between Embers Pkwy. and Pine Island Rd. Latigo Group is a high-end builder out of Los Angeles and had been busy in Florida recently.

"The Club" is a 195-unit apartment complex on the west side of the Sam's Club parking lot off Pine Island Rd.  We did a You Tube video on this in Spring 2022 looking at an empty field.  It is empty no more and "The Club" is well on its way to taking shape.

As we reported a year before construction started, an ABC Liquor store is going up on the northeast side of Chiquita and Pine Island Rd.  Across the street on the south side of Pine Island Rd. is a US Postal Center and a Daybreak/Union 76 convenience store and gas station. They will be joined by a 20,000 sq ft Goodwill Store, located on the west side of Aldi, that is currently in permitting.

The following projects have just recently filed for Site Development and/or Commercial Construction permits.  This means they're out of the talking stage and into the moving forward stage, so we believe there is a very good chance you'll see ground being broken in 2023 for the following:

The "Atlantica at Cape Coral" is a 380-unit apartment complex that will be across Pine Island Rd. from Carolina Apartments.  Two commercial buildings would front the development.

The Cape Coral Town Center, also known as "Coral Grove" is a mixed-use development with 300 apartments in phase I followed by retail, restaurants, and a hotel in an environment that could very well make it a destination location for Cape Coral.  It will span the area between the electrical plant and Bubbas on Pine Island Rd.  See "Coral Grove" on the NWNA website for more details.

"Pine Island 300" is the working title for a 300-unit multi-family project with two commercial buildings in front.  It will go between the German American Club and "Stor Quest" Storage on Pine Island Rd.

A couple of blocks north of the Pine Island Kohl's is the 26-acre, 412-unit, $120 million "Siesta Lakes" development on La Paz Terrace.  On the back burner for years, the site was purchased by Shoreham Capital in early 2022. Their goal is to deliver best-in-class amenities to Cape Coral's growing population.  Well see soon if they can deliver as they've just applied for permits to get the project rolling.

Back by Burnt Store Rd., permits have been sought for the land on the west side of Veterans and the north side of Pine Island Rd.  In public hearings, the project was described as a mixed-use development.  Early projections called for 6 multi-family buildings with 500 apartments, retail, restaurants and a hotel.  Check out the developer Gilbane Development on-line to see what they're capable of.

Further west, The Matlacha Fire Dept. is seeking to get Lee County approval for a helipad to be built next to their station on Pine Island Rd.  Lee County is also reviewing a plan to open a used car lot/rental car business at the old welcome center on the south side of Pine Island Rd. just as you enter Matlacha.

At Burnt Store Rd. and Tropicana, across from the 7/11, a storage facility is working its way through permitting.  It will consist of six 2-story buildings for climate-controlled storage.

Further north is the RV Resort at Tranquility Lake.  Phase I is complete and Equity Lifestyles Properties is hosting FEMA trailers there for Hurricane Ian victims while Phase II and III are being constructed.  At completion, the Resort will have a capacity of 500 RVs.

The Surfside Outpatient Center on Surfside and Veterans Pkwy will be getting a 14,000 sq ft expansion that will add more specialty services and a comprehensive rehabilitation center.

While we predict these projects will begin in 2023, there are many variables that could change things such as economics or natural disasters.   In case you were curious, these projects account for over 2,500 new apartments in the NW Cape area not to mention 500 RV spaces for visitors the area.

Keep in mind that there are other projects in the discussion phase with city staff that will bring more amenities and many more residential units to our area, but we'll talk about them at a later date.

Photo overview of Coral Grove coming to Pine Island Rd

Back at the dawning of 2023, we told you about the name change from Cape Coral Town Center to Coral Grove and that the project was gaining steam.  Our article had several photos of what it might look like on the inside but now we've got a picture from overhead.  If you drive down Pine Island Rd. you can see a sign for the development with this photo on it.  But, we'll provide it here for your safety so you won't have to take your eyes off the road when you drive by.

Coral Grove features a Town Park surrounded by specialty stores, retail, and places to eat and drink. 

The developer, is L&L Development Group, part of L&L Holding Co. of NY City.  With high visibility projects in NY City, their first South Florida venture is the mixed-use Wynwood Plaza in Miami.  There are several phases with infrastructure and a 300-unit Multi-Family development as Phase I.  The construction contractor is Brooks and Freund, who built some of the most familiar projects in our area.  This includes The Palms of Cape Coral, Midtown Apts., Aspire Apts., and Savonna Apts.

For more information or email updates go to these two websites: coral-grove.com and authenticff.com.  You can also check our previous stories on this development at Nwcape.com.

Stay Tuned for More Updates Coming Soon Folks!

"Coral Grove at the Cape" Promises to Be Special

Here We Grow Again!

We've been following the Cape Coral Town Center project for well over a year as we've heard this could be a game-changer for not only the NW Cape but the city as well.  Developers have worked through the planning process and have just now submitted permit requests for site development and commercial construction under the name "Coral Grove at the Cape". 

The 131-acre site is located along the north side of SW Pine Island Rd. from the electrical power station, east to Bubbas, and then up and behind the German American Club.  A public relations and branding campaign is providing a hint of what's to come.  Developers want to establish an active and exciting community center in Cape Coral with housing, retail, restaurants, hotel, and entertainment.  They believe SW Florida's Mediterranean Revival style of architecture is a timeless tropical style, uniquely suited for the laid-back Florida lifestyle, as well as the coastal landscape.  You'll see a modern approach to the area's vintage style keeping it contemporary and comfortable.  They call it - Cape Nouveau.

The developer, L&L Development Group, part of L&L Holding Co. of NY City, has a record of success in building and renovating structures from Broadway to 5^th Ave. to Times Square.  Its two leaders, Robert Lapidus and David Levinson were listed as #10 on the Commercial Observer's Top 100 in Commercial Real Estate for 2022.  Their first South Florida venture is the mixed-use Wynwood Plaza in Miami.  It appears Cape Coral will be home to their second venture. 

They've hired the firm Authentic, which connects brand, design and technology to real estate development. They've successfully been attracting businesses to the project

There are several phases with infrastructure and a 300 unit Multi-Family development as Phase I.  Permit valuations show this first phase comes in at about $70 million.  To give you an idea of what this phase could look like, the construction contractor is Brooks and Freund, who built some of the most familiar projects in our area.  This includes The Palms of Cape Coral, Midtown Apts., Aspire Apts., Savonna Apts. and Madison Square along Cape Coral Pkwy. 

For more information or email updates go to these two websites: coralgrove.com and authenticff.com.

Development Review Committee Update - 2022

Here We Grow - December 2022

Hurricane Ian was devastating to Cape Coral so you would think that it would put a damper on development projects in our area.  But it appears that what attracted many of us to Cape Coral is maintaining that attraction for developers.  In other words, they know a good thing when they see it.

For instance, Wisconsin based developer Continental Properties has broken ground on the Springs at Coral Shores apartment complex per a Dec. 2^nd article in Gulf Shore Life Business. 

The complex of just over 300 apartments will replace the open storage facility that sat to the east of McDonalds and will stretch over to the west side of the rehabilitation facility on the north side of Pine Island Rd.  There are plans for two restaurants at the front of the project with tenants to be named later.  Pre-leasing will begin in summer 2023 and the first residents are expected in the fall of 2023.   

Another project that broke ground is a 444-unit apartment complex on the east side of Chiquita between Embers Pkwy. and Pine Island Rd., just visible behind a row of houses.  As we reported several months ago, the Latigo Group bought out the Noble Vines planned development and moved quickly to get this project going.  Latigo Group is a high-end builder out of Los Angeles and had been busy in Florida over the last few years.  This complex will be known as The Hadley and is expected to be completed in 2024.

One other sign that developers aren't skittish about building in the NW Cape after the hurricane is Sovereign Properties is moving forward on permitting for their 380-unit apartment complex known as "The Atlantica at Cape Coral" which will sit east of the rehab facility and Springs at Coral Shores.  The project is valued at $80,000,000.  It too will feature commercial entities along Pine Island Rd.   

There's also a proposed plan on the table for a mix of multi-family and single family homes on the north side of NW 40^th Lane, west of Old Burnt Store Rd. in the far north of our area.  Called for now, the "Old Burnt Store Rental Community", the plan by AJW Development out of Dallas, calls for 300 units of garden-style multi-family and 210 units of single family homes.  Keep in mind this is only in the discussion stage, but it was submitted well after the hurricane so, again, it shows the continued interest in Cape Coral not only from in-state developers but those from across the nation.  

Seven Islands Changes - Breeze Editorial

NWNA Members,

Please see the recent Cape Coral Breeze Editorial on the Seven Islands Project. I will update you as this situation unfolds, but I find this change in plans disheartening, and all of the points made by the Breeze to be spot on.

Make your voices heard.

Send an email to citycouncil@capecoral.gov.

Cape Coral Breeze Editorial

New Vacation Resort Proposed for NW Cape

White Stone Developments LLC, a Cape Coral-based real estate developer, is proud to announce the proposed development of a resort in Northwest Cape Coral.

In July of this year, the City of Cape Coral accepted permits from White Stone Developments to begin construction of the Lake Shadroe Resort.  Once approved, Construction will begin on the 48-unit, 4-floor resort development complete with a marina, pool with jacuzzi, and private mini-beach, retail stores, a restaurant & tiki lounge, a coffee shop, and a bait & tackle shop.

The development will be located at 218 Burnt Store Road in Northwest Cape Coral, Fl, and upon approval is expected to be completed and open to the public by early 2025.

"It was a real honor to be able to share our vision for the future of the northwest cape.  Not only will it bring visitors to the beautiful area of the country, but it will also bring business and jobs to this quickly growing part of Florida," said Robert Knight, Founder & CEO of White Stone.  "Its retail, dining, and waterfront amenities will provide great additions to northwest Cape Coral, " he said.

The Lake Shadroe Resort will feature 48 resort-style waterfront units with unobstructed water views.  It also includes a 2-floor commercial space with spa facilities, a coffee shop (Because Coffee Co.) waterfront restaurant & tiki bar, and onsite management offices.  The marina will have slips and boat rentals, a fuel pump station, and is conveniently located next to the Burnt Store public boat launch, plus a bait & tak=ckle shop where guests have access to souvenirs and snacks.  The Pool Deck will have a resort-style pool jacuzzi, plenty of lounge chairs and a small private beach.

Burnt Store Rd Development Town Hall Meeting

The Town Hall Meeting at the Northwest Regional Library this morning was informational, enlightening, and educational for all of the residents attending and for all the people watching our live FB feed.

The NWNA would like to formally thank City Staff Members for putting together such an excellent presentation and staying to give the residents solid answers to the many questions that followed.  We also wish to thank Mayor John Gunter, and the following members of our City Council, District 6 - Keith Long, District 2 - Dan Sheppard, and District 4 - Jennifer Nelson for attending and for staying to assist city staff with resident questions.

Feel free to watch the presentation and the Q & A Session that followed by clicking on the links below.

Video of Town Hall Meeting - Burnt Store Rd Development

Several People came out to speak with City Staff and discuss the map showing the Proposed Burnt Store Road Plan that was on display at the meeting.  Several members of the city council also attended and were willing to meet with the residents to discuss aspects of the presentation also.

John Bashaw, also a guest speaker at the meeting, was able to answer several questions for the residents that had specific questions about development closer to their homes or businesses.

Resident Question and Answer Session After MeetingThe Breeze and NBC2 were also covering this important event today in addition to the City of Cape Coral's live FB feed and our own NWNA live FB broadcast.

As always, thank you for being a member of the NWNA!

Trading House Trail View - 2022

NWNA Members,

This is the view from the end of the future Trading House Trail.

Want to learn more about the Trading House Trail and future development on the Kennedy House namesake, Burnt Store Road?  Attend the Townhall Meeting on July 30th at the Chiquita Library.  

You won't be disappointed!

Click Here for Further Details

New Development in Cape Coral, Fl - June 2022

Here We Grow Again!

Say goodbye to the open storage facility next to Mcdonald's at Coral Shores and say hello to a sprawling apartment complex.  "The Springs at Coral Shores" is a proposed 17-acre development consisting of ten multi-story apartment buildings (304 units total), an amenity center/clubhouse, pool, three garage accessory structures, and open yard areas, and a lake. Primary access to the development is proposed on Ceitus Parkway and Pine Island Road and each entry will feature an automatic key-coded gate.

The Springs at Coral Shores

If "The Springs at Coral Shores" sounds familiar, that's because there are "The Springs" apartment complexes all over the nation and many in south Florida.  There's "The Springs" in Cape Coral, Port Charlotte, Six Mile Cypress, and Estero. It's a national brand of residential communities owned and managed by Continental Properties Group.  All complexes are about the same size with a similar appearance. Continental starts and completes several of these complexes every year nationally so chances are good that there will be follow-through on this plan.

The Springs at Cape Coral above and The Springs at Six Mile Cypress below

The Springs at Six Mile Cypress

If you follow the local news, you'll know that Matlacha and Pine Island raised concerns about the voluntary annexation to Cape Coral of two sets of property on the south side of Pine Island Rd.  One on the east side and one on the west side.  Because it was a voluntary annexation by landowners, there appear to be no legal grounds to challenge the annexation. 

For residents in the Northwest Cape, this proposed project could be one of those iconic developments that define an area.  At a minimum it will bring badly needed housing and retail to our area, not to mention a hotel to accommodate tourists.

The Pine Island Civic Association received a copy of the developer's initial concept plan for the west portion of land from Lee County and posted it on their website. 

Here's what we know about the proposed development, as it enters the initial review process.

• A four-story residential building with 520 units and room to park 875 cars
• A five-story hotel with 150 rooms and parking for 150 vehicles
• A 16,000 clubhouse/pool, a fitness area
• 58,000 square feet of commercial space in one story
• 30,000 square feet of office space in a two-story building
• A park and a children's play area

If you have trouble reading the notes on the plan, there will be offices, commercial, and a hotel along the west side of Veterans Pkwy, a park on the lake in the middle, a kids area, a pool and sauna on the southwest side and apartments around the western lake and along Pine Island Rd.

There is a plan in the early stages for the land between the Cape Coral Boat Ramp on Burnt Store Rd. and the Blue Water Vista Development.  Whitestone Development is planning an Airbnb Resort for the property.  It would consist of a resort building for lodging, a food shack, a pool, and boat slips with a fueling station.  It would also have commercial retail and a coffee shop fronting Burnt Store Rd.  Whitestone Builders has been busy in the local area building rental homes for investors. 

Cape Coral Capital Improvement Projects Update

On May 25, 2022 the City Council was given an update on all major Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and Public Works projects currently ongoing in the City.  Attached is that presentation. 

This presentation touches on the project status of the Utilities Expansion Project; Parks Go Bond; Police, Fire and Fleet training and Maintenance Facilities; Road, Trail and Sidewalk programs; water quality projects, utility projects, and several other miscellaneous projects. We thought this was a thorough, albeit brief, update and worth sharing. The presentation is also available on the City's website.

CIP Project Status

Embers Lake Apartment Complex - Spring 2022

Developer Reynolds Asset Management

Embers Lake Apartment Complex to break ground in Cape Coral Spring 2022

84 acres on the north side of Embers Pkwy and west side of Nelson Rd.

Name: Embers Lakes  

84 acres on the north side of Embers Pkwy and the west side of Nelson Rd.

Anticipated Construction Start:  Spring, 2022
Anticipated Lease-up Start: December 2023
Phase 1:  690 Units - Phase 2:  647 Units
Amenity rich luxury apartments

Long anticipated project will have huge impact on Cape Coral

We've written about this project for several years because its impact on Cape Coral will be huge.  Located on the north side of Embers Parkway just west of Nelson Rd., it has been on and off over the years, even though approved by City Council some time ago.  But, it is now at the point that the Ft. Myers News-Press and Cape Coral Breeze are reporting this 1,337 unit luxury apartment complex will break ground in the Spring of 2022 with expected completion in December 2023.   

The 84-acre property has been acquired by Reynolds Asset Management of New Jersey, a multi-million dollar real estate investment and development firm specializing in multi-family projects.

The development will have many amenities such as clubhouse, pool, fitness center, private workspace, a resident lounge, a dog recreation area, children play areas and 76 electric vehicle charging stations. 

According to the News Press article, CEO Lou Reynolds said the company couldn't be more excited to develop this community in the Sunshine State. "This project will be transformative to not only those who will call it home but the rapidly growing Cape Coral community as a whole."

He went on to say that Cape Coral's continued growth and unavailability of apartment housing currently offered were important factors as well as continued investment in the city by local government.

Name:  Embers Lakes

Anticipated Construction Start:  Spring, 2022

Anticipated Lease-up Start: December 2023

Phase 1:  690 Units

Phase 2:  647 Units

Below are some of the depictions by Reynolds Asset Management of what the complex will look like.

Looking out onto the lake from the pool deck.

Pool and Clubhouse closeup.

Closeup of building and lake.

Lake 1 looking east.

Video depiction by Reynolds Asset Management

a multi-million dollar real estate investment and development firm specializing in multi-family projects

http://www.reynoldsasset.com

Here We Grow March 2022

Commercial Development looking strong for SW Pine Island Rd in 2022

For years, people living near Burnt Store Rd. area have been clamoring for a bank in the local area.  A preliminary plan has recently been submitted for a branch of the Achieva Credit Union to go on a piece of property they've owned since 2015 at the Coral Shores Shopping Center.  That location is just west of the 7/11 and faces Pine Island Rd. 

We've received questions about what is being built on the southeast corner of Chiquita and Pine Island Rd.  As we reported many months ago, that will be a Daybreak Market convenience store with gas pumps.  It will be to the west of the North Cape Postal Service Center being built on the west side of Bob Evans Restaurant.

The Chiquita/Pine Island Rd. intersection is a hot commodity these days.  A preliminary plan has been submitted to the city for a new Goodwill store to be built on the north side of Pine Island Rd., just west of Aldi. 

We reported in the past that an ABC Liquor Store with some small retail shops would be coming to the northeast corner of Chiquita and Pine Island Rd., just west of the planned Goodwill.  The liquor store is currently in permitting.

On the northwest corner of Chiquita and Pine Island Rd., preliminary plans are afoot to build a Wawa convenience store with gas pumps.  That piece of land has seen many concepts come and go over the years, but Wawa is a known entity which leads us to believe this time the plan will stick. 

North Cape Postal Service Center - USPS

John Smart the DRC Chairman for the NWNA, explains the details of this construction project for us. What a pleasure it will be to visit the new post office right in our own neighborhood, to drop off packages, pick up mail or packages and supplies.  Another addition to a fast-growing community!

The Palms at Cape Coral - Project Update

NWNA DRC Chairman John Smart, is updating us from behind the Palms construction site on Pine Island Rd.

Seven Islands Update - Here we Grow Again

SEVEN ISLANDS PROPOSAL UNVEILED

Soon you may have to say goodbye to the designation Seven Islands and get used to saying Gulf Gateway when describing the 47 acres west of Old Burnt Store Rd., roughly between Embers and Tropicana Parkway. On February 23, 2022, the Cape Coral City Council heard a proposal to develop the Seven Islands by Forest Development Acquisition LLC, who the city selected as the first-choice developer for the long-awaited project. The company has been in talks with the city since September 2021. The Forest project is known as the "Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina Village," mixed-use development with a hotel, restaurants, commercial and residential units, all in line with the D-1 plan approved by City Council in November 2016. The Seven Islands Zoning District, which was adopted in 2019 with input from the NWNA, restricts construction to 995 residential units with a maximum building height of 8 stories or 115 feet. It was intended to develop a multi-use neighborhood that fosters a sense of place and creates a destination environment in the Northwestern Cape. Council responded favorably to the Forest proposal with the caveat that incentives be crafted to bring commercial and hotel construction to the first stages of development as well as the residential component. Lawrence Zabik, project manager for Forest Development, said that adjustments could be made on some of the locations and some of the timing to accommodate Council desires. He said the D-1 plan was a good plan and that they will work with the city to execute that plan. The whole project, which will be done in phases, will take about 10 years to complete. Construction could start as early as late 2023. By its end, it will bring about 2,500 residents to Cape Coral. Forest Development is a team of real estate development professionals led by Peter Baytarian. Its responsible for the Nautilus 220, a 330-unit waterfront development in Lake Park, near Palm Beach. Mr Zabik said the Gulf Gateway project could be similar to Nautilus but remain within zoning restrictions.

Forest Development's Nautilus 220 in Lake Park, FL. Could Seven Islands be similar minus the height?

View from above of Forest Development's Nautilus 220 in Lake Park.

Forest Development estimates the project will generate about 9,500 jobs in construction and development, a total investment of $650 million, and an economic impact of $1.6 billion through jobs, incomes, and economic activities during the 10-year construction period. After construction, total jobs would be about 650 with 400 direct and 250 indirect.

The next step in the process will be for the city to declare the Seven Islands as surplus property and then approve a sale and purchase contract as soon as March/April. The council would then approve a development agreement for the project in June/July. As the project progresses, the city will meet monthly with developers to ensure open communications. This is similar to the relationship Forest had with Lake Park for the Nautilus development. Lake Park lauded the relationship in a letter of recommendation for Forest Development to Cape Coral.

The project team is comprised of 33 businesses all with extensive experience. Many are from the east coast such as R and N Architecture and Insite Studios Landscaping. Katz Construction out of Palm Beach, Coral Gables, and Tampa, has been responsible for multiple projects throughout Florida ranging from high rises in Miami and Palm Beach to three-story multi-family complexes in surrounding suburbs.

Some onboard locally are Hans Wilson Marine, out of Ft. Myers, which has been responsible for 320 marina projects including Cape Harbor and Burnt Store Marina. Avalon Engineering and Gates Construction are well known locally with a long list of accomplishments.   Scott Dunlap, who is a property developer and partner in this project, has a growing local portfolio that includes over 700 acres along the Burnt Store Rd. corridor and knows the area well.

NWNA President John Bashaw said he's excited about the project after witnessing the presentation and that it could be the gold standard for mixed-use development in Cape Coral. He admitted sentiment among Northwest residents is mixed with some for development and some against, though the majority want to see something go up as long as it's done in a smart and responsible way.

"It's going to be a long, ongoing process," Bashaw said, "but I'm convinced that all of the necessary parties are going to be a part of it, and we're going to wind up with a high-quality destination in Cape Coral."

Here We Grow Again - February 2022 Edition

The NWNA DRC Committee has some updates to share!

Walmart, Town Center, and Seven Islands getting closer to reality

Cape Coral's Economic Development Office has put out their winter newsletter which describes development going on in the city and there's plenty of it that will interest you. Development city-wide is on fire and the Economic Development Office is finding the success many of us hoped for.

The full newsletter is below our highlighting of projects in the Northwest area that we have written about previously.

Walmart Supercenter, a 202,000 square-foot supercenter on Pine Island Road, expects to break ground in Summer 2022 and be completed in 2023.

The Seven Islands project in Northwest Cape Coral has selected a master developer and is negotiating the terms currently. A status update will be presented at a Committee of the Whole meeting in late February 2022.

Cape Coral Town Center, a 131-acre, mixed-use development on Pine Island Road, expects to break ground in late 2022. It will include medical, multi-family, retail, restaurants, and public entertainment area. The Town Center property runs along the north side of SW Pine Island Rd. from the electrical power station, east to Bubbas, and then up and behind the German American Club.

The Palms at Cape Coral is a 280 multi-family unit apartment expected to be completed by the end of 2022. This is the apartment complex going up next to the Fox News studio.

Fawcett Memorial Hospital broke ground on a 12,000 square-foot, free-standing emergency room on Pine Island Road and expects to be open in late 2022. This is across from Danny Yates Garden Center.

Lee Health purchased 57 acres on Pine Island Road for a future medical campus. Part of their purchase is the land that was destined to be an Amazon Distribution Center before the developer pulled out.

Beyond all that, check out the statistics for 2021. Wow!

Economic and Business Development Winter Newsletter

Florida's 8^th largest city was recently ranked fifth in the United States for mid-sized cities (100,000+ population) with the highest growth rates occurring between 2010-20. In that timeframe, we experienced a 30% increase in population, which is not surprising when you consider that each month we process approximately 400 single-family permits. We're happy to say that as we enter the new year in 2022, people continue to flock to Cape Coral.

City of Cape Coral Updates

The City of Cape Coral is experiencing growth and success heading

into 2022. Some of the highlights include:

• The population for Cape Coral was announced in October at 201,554, which is 30.62% higher than the City's 2011 population
• The unemployment rate dropped to 4.0 percent, remaining below the national and statewide levels
• New housing and commercial development in Cape Coral soared in 2021. New single-family and duplex residential building permits increased by 79.49% over last year, with a total estimated dollar volume of $893 million

Vacancy rates for retail, industrial, and office space remained at the low single-digit levels, 1.8 percent for retail, 1.6% for industrial, and 4.9 percent for office

On the commercial retail and multi-family end, the following developments either broke ground or were completed:  

• Aspire Apartments broke ground on a 319 multi-family unit apartment that is anticipated to open in 2023.
• Palms at Cape Coralis a 280 multi-family unit apartment expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
• Madison Square Apartments is scheduled to open an 82-unit senior apartment complex in South Cape in late 2022.
• Fawcett Memorial Hospital broke ground on a 12,000 square-foot, free-standing emergency room on Pine Island Road and expects to be open in late 2022.
• Encompass Health Rehabilitation, an 80-bed inpatient hospital, broke ground and expects to be completed in late 2022.

The Cove at 47th, a $70M mixed-use development in South Cape, expects to break ground in February 2022. This project will include 18,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space with a sky bar, 290 units of Multi-Family space, and a 525-space parking garage with 125 spaces for public use.

Bimini Square, a $70M mixed-use development in South Cape, hosted an Open House at Chester Street on January 26 for the public to ask questions and get to know the developer. This project will include 190 units of multi-family living space, a 625-space parking garage with 125 available for public use, 48,000 square feet of medical office for Lee Health, 3,000 square feet for Omelet House on Cape Coral Parkway, and a 7,500 square-foot waterfront Deep Lagoon Restaurant with boat slips. Roar Development answered questions regarding the development, which is expected to break ground in Summer 2022. Walmart Supercenter, a 202,000 square-foot supercenter on Pine Island Road, expects to break ground in Summer 2022 and be completed in 2023. Cape Coral Town Center, a 131-acre, mixed-use development on Pine Island Road, expects to break ground in late 2022. It will include medical, multi-family, retail, restaurants, and public entertainment area. Farmer Joe's, a 55,000 square foot, farm-fresh grocery store, opened on January 18, 2022. They have over 13,000 square feet of fresh produce, the largest fresh meat and seafood display in SWFL, fresh guacamole made on-site when you order, a sushi bar, fresh bakery, fresh deli meat and cheeses cut to order, beer and wine, fresh soaps, coffee, ice cream, and more! Lee Health has purchased 57 acres on Pine Island Road for a future medical campus, expanded services at their Surfside facility, is proposing to add 12 new ICU beds at Cape Coral Hospital, and is working to recruit more physicians to the area. Sprouts Farmers Market signed a lease to occupy 24,450 square feet of retail space (the old Staples location) located at 1780 NE Pine Island Road (next to Burlington Coat Factory). No projected opening dates have been released.

CapeCompetes Brings Potential for Performance-Based Incentives

On December 15, City Council approved CapeCompetes, a new Economic Development Incentive Fund of over two million dollars. There are five funding categories: 1.     Local Job Creation Incentive 2.     CreativeCape Arts Incentive Fund 3.     CapeCollaborates Small Business Partnership Program 4.     Business Infrastructure Grant Program 5.     Enhanced Property Value Recapture Grant All incentives are performance-based, and the project must contribute in a positive way to our community. We are currently working on the applications and processes and hope to begin accepting applications in Summer 2022.

Upcoming Development Projects

Seven Islands project in Northwest Cape Coral has selected a master developer and is negotiating the terms currently.  A status update will be presented at a Committee of the Whole meeting in last February 2022.

Office of Economic and Business Development Strategic Plan Update

The Office of Economic and Business Development will be issuing an RFP to update the City's Economic Development Strategic Plan.

Here We Grow Again - October Edition

Wow! Cape Coral is really Rockin It!

Last month we reported on the numerous apartment developments planned from Santa Barbara Blvd. to the west, along Pine Island Rd. Now there are more plans in the mix. 

Sovereign Properties, LLC intends to build 380 apartments in four (4) buildings with a central clubhouse and amenities on about 16.7 acres on the north side of SW Pine Island Rd. just east of Sunrise Senior Living and across Pine Island Rd. from the Carolina Apartments.

Recent zoning changes by the city require that multifamily dwellings be setback at least 250 feet from Pine Island Road so there will be a commercial component along Pine Island Rd. That portion would be developed by a separate property owner. 

Is there a Cape Coral Town Center in our future? But there's more for SW Pine Island Rd. A zoning amendment request was brought before the Cape Coral Hearing Examiner to change Single-Family zoned land along Pine Island Rd. to Commercial Corridor. The property runs along the north side of SW Pine Island Rd. from the electrical power station, east to Bubbas, and then up and behind the German American Club. The owners of the land, Surfside Corner LLC, brought the Oasis Surfside Apartments to Veterans Parkway. They are working with L&L Florida Management of New York City. The plan talked about at the hearing calls for a 700,000 sq. ft. shopping center, 70,000 sq. ft. of office space, a 200-room hotel, a 50,000 sq. ft. movie theater/entertainment center, and 1,500 multi-family mid-rise dwelling units. It's still early in the process and things could change but if plans are followed through on, this could be a game-changer for our area of the city.

Leave it to Gator Mike's, on Pine Island Rd. across from Cape Coral KIA, to come up with something different. They are in discussions with the city to erect a drive-in movie theater capable of accommodating 80-100 cars just east of Gator Mike's.

If you remember, there's a Mellow Mushroom Pizza restaurant also coming to the east side of Gator Mike's. That project will be in permitting soon.

Macritchie Storage Ventures, LLC out of Alberta Canada is proposing a self-storage facility with five commercial buildings in the vacant area behind Office Depot and Kohls, just east of Nicholas Parkway.

In case you missed it, Lee Health has purchased nearly 23 acres in western Cape Coral for the future site of a medical complex similar to the outpatient physician and surgical center it operates just south of the Coconut Point Mall in Estero. Lee Health is spending about $3.7 million for the property located on SW Pine Island Rd. between Carolina Apartments and the Honc property to the west. There are no immediate plans to develop the property but as the population grows in Cape Coral the need will be there for a facility in the western part of the city. Now, you know where it will be. A facility on SW Pine Island Rd. would be similar to the Lee Health facility at Coconut Point

Here we Grow Again - September Edition

Look what's going on in our city.

Two weeks ago we told you that 571 apartments, in three separate developments, would come online between Nicholas Parkway and Sam's Club on Pine Island Rd. in the next couple of years, if current development plans are followed through on.

Now, there's more coming to our area.  There's a plan, In the preliminary stages, for a 444-unit apartment complex a block east of Chiquita about halfway between Pine Island Rd. and Embers Parkway.  The name of the development is Noble Vines of Cape Coral.  One of the companies involved is Claret Communities, which developed Noble Vines complexes in Georgia over the last several years.

In addition to the apartment complex, there is a preliminary plan for a single-family housing development called Escondido Estates which will be located on a vacant lot on the north side of Embers, just east of the Embers and Chiquita intersection.  That development will consist of 18 single-family homes.

We also told you about the Tire Kingdom coming to Skyline next to Dairy Queen and across the street from Home Depot and the Culvers that's in the middle of construction.

There is now a new plan moving forward for a Wendy's restaurant to go just north of the Tire Store.

A Wendy's in that area has been in and out of the planning process for the last few years.  With things picking up in that area, this time may be the charm.

A developer is in the pre-application process, working with the city over the concept plan of an adult living facility in the same area.  AMY Adult Living Facility would also be located in the area south of Pine Island Rd., between Palm City Nursery and the strip mall to the west.  The facility would accommodate between 58 and 62 residents.

Here We Grow Again - August Edition

Look at what is going on around the NW Cape this month!

We've been following the progress of an affordable housing project coming in the form of 96 apartments along the western edge of the Sam's Club property and east of the mobile home park next to Danny Yates. There will be three buildings of three stories each and will run in a straight line from north to south on the property. That project, by Civitas, is well on its way through the permitting process and should be breaking ground soon.

Affordable Housing Project

Now, there is a plan in the early stages for a totally separate apartment complex that will be going up to the east of the Civitas development. Known as The Club of Cape Coral, the complex will sit behind Culvers and the Med Express on the western edge of Sam's parking lot and will feature195 apartments.

The Club Location

When you combine these two projects with the 280 apartments of the Palms at Cape Coral, currently going up next to the Fox Studios, there will be 571 residential units in about a mile-long area popping up in a short period of time. It's a big plus for a city trying to provide for a growing population.

Below are some renderings of what The Club may look like

The ClubAnother view of The Club

In case you forgot or haven't been reading the signs along Burnt Store Rd., that groundbreaking activity you see on the south side of the 7/11 on Tropicana is for the Hideaway Storage Facility. It will provide about 74,000 sq. ft. of storage.

Hideaway Storage