Median Beautification in Cape Coral is a Priority!

NWNA Members:

Beautifying Cape Coral is a priority for the NWNA because you made it so.  One effort underway that is already making an impact on the beauty of our city is the Adopt-a-Median program.  The first median in this new program is completed.  Funded by generous donations from Arnold Roberts Signature Homes, Inc., and Experience Real Estate Group, LLC, the median is located just east of Sirenia Vista Park on Ceitus Parkway.  The project was led by the Cape Coral Friends of the Environment, our 501 (c)(3) sister organization.

The City of Cape Coral is also a partner in the program and was instrumental in making it happen.  Check it out (see photo).  It's a shining example of what we can do when we all work together toward a common goal.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held shortly, and I will let you know the details when it is announced.  I would love to see you there.

Michael Ilczyszyn at the new landscaped median.

The median on Ceitus was funded by the two aforementioned businesses and it sets a high bar on what we can make the bare medians look like.  Additional medians will take additional funding and donations, so I come to the purpose for this message.

On May 21, 2022,  a fundraiser will be held at the Yacht Club from 6-9 pm for the purpose of raising additional funds for the program.  It will also raise awareness.  If you would like to participate in the fundraiser, admission is $25 per seat for 7 rounds of Bingo with prizes.  Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided (or BYOB).  We expect attendance to be around 300 people, so it's a great opportunity to meet others who are interested in making our city an even more beautiful place to live.  In addition to the bingo games, raffle tickets will available for purchase with chances for door prizes, basket raffles, and special raffles for larger prizes such as kayaks and iPad Air.  As of today, over 80 businesses have donated to the event.

Please consider attending. Details are included in the flyer below.  For tickets contact Tricia White at paw@gttsp.com.  The event is expected to sell out so it is unlikely that tickets will be available at the door.

John Bashaw
(920) 449-2000

Watering Schedule Changes in Cape Coral

NWNA Members:

Effective midnight on Monday, May 2, 2022, we are restricted to a one-day watering schedule.  Please see the communication from the City of Cape Coral regarding the schedule.

Cape Coral Communication and Watering Schedule

Clean-the-Cape was a huge success!

The NWNA Clean the Cape Event held on Saturday, April 9th, 2022, was a huge success thanks to a lot of dedicated people who worked very hard to make it happen.  Keeping our section of the Cape clean is paramount to the quality of life expected by the local residents and wildlife living in this beautiful area of Florida!

City Council Member Keith Long with daughter, Todd Hoagland, Code Compliance Manager with John Bashaw NWNA President.Sometimes you gotta bring out the big guns, right?Everyone is pitching in to help!

Did someone say pizza?

Check out the video of us after the clean-up at the pizza party!

Thanks for coming out today to help out!

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

It's Almost Time to Clean-The-Cape!

Can't Wait to See You All!

Clean the Cape
Saturday, April 9,2022 8:30-11:30 am
Tropicana Park - 4101 Tropicana Pkwy W, Cape Coral, FL 33993

If you haven't done so already, please use the signup link below to register.  Note that registration helps us with estimates. Registration is not mandatory in order to participate.

Keep Lee County Beautiful Registration Link

Meet at Tropicana Park at 8:30 a.m.to get t-shirts (while supplies last), bags, safety supplies, and answers to any questions regarding the event.   PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES, A LIMITED SUPPLY OF WATER TO FILL THEM WILL BE AVAILABLE. YOU WILL WANT TO WEAR HATS, CLOSED-TOE SHOES, AND SUNSCREEN. YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO BRING CHAIRS FOR THE PIZZA PARTY. Trash collected in bags will be brought back to Tropicana Park for disposal in the Waste Pro dumpster. DO NOT BRING BULK ITEMS TO TROPICANA.  Bulk items should be brought to the Bulk Waste Center at 1200 Kismet Parkway; (however, the bulk drop-off site entrance is off NW 14th Avenue, at the western portion of the complex).   We will collect trash throughout the morning and reconvene at 11:30 AM for a pizza party and conversation. This is a great opportunity to help your community or to receive those needed service hours! But in case you are wondering why this is important, take a look at this graphic????

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. 

Clean-The-Cape Event Day - It's Almost Time!!

It's Almost Time!!

Clean the Cape

Saturday, April 9,2022 8:30-11:30 am

Tropicana Park - 4101 Tropicana Pkwy W, Cape Coral, FL 33993

Please use the signup link below to register so we can get an estimate of participation.  

Keep Lee County Beautiful Registration Link

The NWNA is partnering with Waste Pro, Keep Lee County Beautiful, and the City of Cape Coral to make our city beautiful. We will meet at Tropicana Park at 8:30 a.m. on April 9 to hand out t-shirts, bags, safety supplies, and answer any questions participants may have.  PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES, A LIMITED SUPPLY OF WATER TO FILL THEM WILL BE AVAILABLE. YOU WILL WANT TO WEAR CLOSED-TOE SHOES AND SUNSCREEN AND MAY ALSO WANT TO BRING CHAIRS FOR THE PIZZA PARTY. We will collect trash throughout the morning.  Trash collected in bags will be brought back to Tropicana Park for disposal in the Waste Pro dumpster. Bulk items should be brought to the Bulk Waste Center at 1200 Kismet Parkway; (however, the bulk-drop off site entrance is off NW 14th Avenue, at the western portion of the complex). We will reconvene at 11:30 AM for a pizza party and conversation. This is a great opportunity to help your community or to receive those needed service hours! But in case you are wondering why this is important, take a look at this graphic????

Cape Coral Wildlife Trust Event

NWNA Members: This week I represented our association at the Cape Coral Wildlife Trust's ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ceremony marked the acquisition of two parcels of land at 1118 NW 13th TER. The two lots at this address are two of the fifty-seven lots acquired by the CCWT for the purpose of providing a safe haven for threatened or other wildlife species in Cape Coral. The CCWT is acquiring these lots to augment the city and county's conservation initiatives.  Their funding sources for this important initiative include donations, grants, and events. The lots added to the CCWT bank during the event today were donated by Dona Zeuli and George Baliotis.   The Cape Coral Wildlife Trust's sister organization is the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, an organization you may be familiar with. Together, these two organizations are doing great things for our city and for the wildlife affected by growth. As President of the NWNA, I am committed to partnering with these organizations and will support their important work. If you are interested in joining the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife or making a donation to the Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, please check out these two websites. https://ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ https://capecoralwildlifetrust.org/ NWNA President John Bashaw

Area Map

Florida SUN Trail Project - Phase 1 Making Progress

Florida SUN Trail

The Florida SUN (Shared-Use Nonmotorized) Trail is a statewide system of paved trail corridors for bicyclists and pedestrians.

What will the Cape Coral SUN Trail look like?

The project will create a pedestrian and bicyclist connector between Del Prado Blvd. and the Burnt Store Trail. It will run along Kismet Parkway, then south on El Dorado and west on Van Buren to Burnt Store Rd. The trail will be 12 feet wide with at least two feet of the clear zone on either side. The trail will fall entirely within the City-owned Right of Way.  

SUN Trail is a statewide system of paved trail corridors for bicyclists and pedestrians. In 2017, the City of Cape Coral received a $1.8 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to design a new bicyclist and pedestrian pathway.

Project Timeline

Construction Phase I: Work Started on May 17, 2021; Anticipated Completion - Winter 2022

Runs from Van Buren Parkway at Burnt Store to El Dorado, then up to Kismet and east to Nelson Rd.   Phase I is 3.5 miles of trail. As of March 2022, construction has made it to the intersection of NW 11^th Court and Kismet.

Construction Phase II: Anticipated Start in 2025. Phase II is 3.0 miles and will run further east along Kismet from Nelson Rd. to Del Prado Blvd. 

Construction also includes new storm drains, repaved driveways and sidewalks, and installing sewer and water sleeves for future utilities.

Flood Insurance Update

NWNA Members:

Please see the Flood Insurance update from Council Member Gloria Tate. 

John Bashaw
(920) 449-2000

Here is the latest update on our work on flood insurance premiums. I hope you find the information helpful. When reaching out to your Congressman and Senators please share this information.

Thank you

Council Member Tate 

The Flood Insurance Pricing Transparency Act would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency to publish the formulas it uses under Risk Rating 2.0. Press release follows. We do not yet have a bill number for this. 

Cassidy, Gillibrand Introduce Bipartisan Flood Insurance Pricing Transparency Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today introduced the Flood Insurance Pricing Transparency Act. Cassidy's bill requires Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to publish the formulas used to calculate mitigation credits for policyholders under Risk Rating 2.0. It also requires FEMA to release a toolkit that could be used to estimate the cost of insurance for new construction, without compromising proprietary information. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) is a cosponsor of the legislation. FEMA is continuing its plans to allow Risk Rating 2.0 to go into full effect on April 1, 2022, despite the widespread uncertainty as to how it will impact homeowners. "FEMA continues leaving Louisianans and five million Americans in the dark about rising premiums and changes to NFIP," said Dr. Cassidy. "Our bill requires FEMA to provide clear information to policyholders to help lower premiums and reduce flood risk." "Thousands of New Yorkers rely on the National Flood Insurance Program to protect their property when a flood occurs," said Senator Gillibrand. "This bipartisan bill would ensure that the flood insurance rating process is significantly more transparent, which would in turn help policyholders lower their premiums and flood risk." "With FEMA set to institute new National Flood Insurance Program premium rates on April 1 under its Risk Rating 2.0 program, NAHB commends Sens. Bill Cassidy and Kirsten Gillibrand for introducing bipartisan legislation to provide transparency to this process," said Jerry Konter, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. "By allowing homeowners to determine how FEMA sets premium rates for insured properties based on their location, elevation and other factors, this bill will enable consumers to estimate in advance any changes in their premium rates. It also provides property owners the ability to assess if and how much their insurance rates might decline if they take actions to reduce their homes' risk of flooding." "Nationally, stakeholders agree that greater transparency and continued public education are crucial to the equitable implementation of Risk Rating 2.0," said Michael Hecht of the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance. "RR 2.0 premiums are generated based on complicated calculations, combining numerous geographic factors and property factors. Active and prospective policyholders, alongside builders, bankers, real estate professionals, and local officials alike will all benefit from a tool that clearly illustrates the weight of each factor. Ultimately, this calculator will empower users to better understand their flood risk and grasp the new rating system, while encouraging NFIP participation and even adoption of mitigation measures." "The bipartisan Flood Insurance Pricing Transparency Act would provide greater clarity on the long-term impacts of FEMA's new Risk Rating 2.0 system under the National Flood Insurance Program and provide our residents with greater transparency into their premiums," said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. "We thank Senators Cassidy and Gillibrand for introducing this legislation and call on Congress to swiftly pass the bill." "The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) thanks Senators Cassidy and Gillibrand for their leadership on flood issues and for their introduction of this important bill. As Risk Rating 2.0 has been implemented, it has become clear that independent insurance agents need more information about how the new methodology uses its rating factors to calculate NFIP premiums, especially when they involve mitigation credits. Agents have requested such transparency on behalf of themselves and their policyholders, who deserve to understand how their data is being used to calculate premiums and whether mitigation efforts could change those premiums," said Jon Gentile of PIA, Vice President, Government Relations. "PIA is also pleased that the legislation would require FEMA to create a tool that could be used to estimate the cost of an NFIP policy without compromising proprietary information. Such a tool would not allow unlicensed members of the public to produce quotes, but it would be helpful to agents for policyholders to be able to see for themselves how their rates will change. This tool would enhance public understanding of Risk Rating 2.0 and is a common-sense way of addressing our transparency concerns. We again thank the senators for introducing this legislation, and we will encourage its passage." The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance for over five million policyholders, including roughly 500,000 in Louisiana, and provides over $1.3 trillion in coverage. Last month, FEMA publicly acknowledged the existence of an internal study finding that the implementation of Risk Rating 2.0 to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) could cause 20% of policyholders to drop out of the program due to skyrocketing premiums. This followed a Cassidy letter to FEMA demanding a delay in Risk Rating 2.0. Amanda Wood Senior Federal Advocacy Director Becker & Poliakoff 1275 K Street, N.W. Suite 850 Washington,  DC 20005 (202)506-4848   Awood@beckerlawyers.com www.beckerlawyers.com Follow Becker on... (please be aware that my email address has changed - gtate@capecoral.gov) Gloria Raso Tate Cape Coral City Council District 1

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.

NWNA Spring Clean-the-Cape Event 2022

Are You Getting Excited?

Join us as we work together with city officials to clean and beautify our neighborhoods.

 Saturday, April 9,2022 8:30-11:30 am

Tropicana Park - 4101 Tropicana Pkwy W, Cape Coral, FL 33993

The NWNA is partnering with Waste Pro, Keep Lee County Beautiful, and the City of Cape Coral to make our city beautiful. We will meet at Tropicana Park at 8:30 a.m. on April 9 to hand out t-shirts, bags, safety supplies, and answer any questions participants may have.  We will collect trash throughout the morning and reconvene at 11:30 AM for a pizza party, small prizes, and conversation. This is a great opportunity to help your community or to receive those needed service hours! Please send an email to Environment@nwcape.com letting us know you plan to participate so we can get an accurate estimate for T-shirts and Pizza. Include: ·     YOUR NAME and CONTACT INFO (phone or email). ·     Names of your team participants and T-shirt sizes - note that a limited number of T-shirts will be provided by KLCB (sizes S-XL), distributed on a First Come, First Served. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES, A LIMITED SUPPLY OF WATER TO FILL THEM WILL BE AVAILABLE. YOU WILL WANT TO WEAR CLOSED-TOE SHOES AND SUNSCREEN AND MAY ALSO WANT TO BRING CHAIRS FOR THE PIZZA PARTY. But in case you are wondering why this is important, take a look at this graphic????

The Club - Coming to Cape Coral

The Club is one of the projects coming to Cape Coral very soon. It will be located next to Sam's Club on Pine Island Rd and according to John Smart our DRC Chairman, it's going to be a pretty nice addition to our city!

Utility Expansion Project (UEP) Update

The City's UEP Project Master Plan Update

On February 23, 2022 City Council was updated by the Cape Coral Utilities Director on the final results of the ongoing Utility Expansion Project (UEP) Master Plan. If you remember from the November 2021 NWNA update on the UEP, City Council and the Mayor had requested that the engineers re-evaluate sequencing and scheduling of some of the areas planned for utility expansion.  This re-evaluation is now complete and the Master Plan is being finalized.  This memo gives you a summary of this Master Plan which will be the guidance document that the City uses for the entire UEP going forward.

All service areas are presented in the graphic below along with anticipated operational dates.  The second graphic depicts all projects expected to be complete by 2027.  Following the graphics is a brief summary of the Master Plan:

Service Areas and Anticipated Schedule

Projects Anticipated to be Complete by 2027

1.      North 2 is complete. 2.      North 1 is the next area to receive utilities. This area is currently under design and construction is expected to begin in late 2022. Construction will take approximately 2 years. 3.      North 3 will be the next area to receive utilities after North 1. This area is west of Burnt Store Road, north of the recently completed North 2 area, and extends north to Kismet Parkway. Design is expected to start this coming summer. Construction will likely start in late 2023 and be complete approximately 2 years later. 4.      Also expected to be completed by 2027 is an expansion of utilities north on Burnt Store Road to the city line. This allows the planned Hudson Creek development to move forward and will spur commercial development along Burnt Store Road and the western portion of Pine Island Road. Much of this expansion may be funded by the Hudson Creek project. Additionally, a new 22,000-foot sewer main on Veteran's Parkway will be constructed which is necessary for future sewer expansion. 5.      By 2027, the existing North Reverse Osmosis Water Plant (potable water) on Kismet Parkway will to be expanded from 6 to 18 million gallons per day (mgd) and the Southwest Water Reclamation Facility (wastewater) will be expanded to 20 mgd. 6.      Anticipated operational dates for the remaining service areas are as indicated in the top graphic. Additionally, a new Water Reclamation Facility (wastewater) will be constructed in the Northwest, adjacent to the existing North Reverse Osmosis Plant, to support sewer expansion in the years following 2027. Costs for the above projects through 2027 are anticipated to exceed $1 billion (yes…billion). Some of this cost will be borne by developers, but much will be borne by the City and the users of the system. The Utilities Department is requesting an annual 3 percent increase to user rates starting in FY 2023. Again, these costs are on a macro scale, and it's too early to speculate what each homeowner will pay, but it's likely that the users in North 1 and North 3 will be paying similar assessments as those paid in North 2. If you have comments and questions that you believe are appropriate at this point in the planning process you may email me at publicworks@nwcape.com. I will prepare a consolidated response of appropriate comments to the city. You may certainly contact your City Council Member directly if you prefer. Don Freeman, P.E. NWNA Public Works Committee

We've Added More Features to the NWNA Member App

Hi Members:

We have added more features to our NWNA Member App just for you. You will have direct access to NWNA and City of Cape Coral links:

• Website + City Links - NWNA, City Agendas, Zoning Map, Land Use Map (Both interactive)
• YouTube Channel - NWNA Channel, Cape-TV
• Facebook - NWNA
• Bulletins - Notifications
• Join or Donate
• Sponsors - Business contacts supporting our members

MORE

• Welcome to the NWNA
• About Us
• City Council - contact resources
• Ask a Question
• Photos
• Events

The NWNA Member App is free for anyone to download and can be found in either:

Google Play (Android)

or

Apple Store (iPhone)

(Click on the above link to download)

You don't need to be a member to download and use it, so let your neighbors know it's a great way to keep up with things going on in the NW Cape.

Don't miss out on anything going on in the NW Cape or with the NWNA. Check it out and see if it's a good fit for you.

Don't forget to rate us in the app store!

Thank You!

Linda Stevens, Secretary for the NWNA

secretary@nwcape.com

Important Meetings This Week!

NWNA Members: There are two important meetings this week that you may wish to participate in. First, as a reminder, an update on commercial development will be presented at the German American Club on Thursday, February 24, at 10:00 A.M. This update will touch on the focus of the NWNA and will present a deep dive into what commercial development is coming to Cape Coral as well as the process followed to attract new commercial development. Second, on Wednesday, February 23, at 2:00 P.M., a Cape Coral Committee of the Whole Meeting will be held to discuss the following: (1)         2022 Legislative Session Update (2)         Broadband Service Update (3)         Seven Islands Update (4)         Quarterly Grants Application and Management Report (5)         2021 Utilities Master Plan Update (6)         Severance Pay - Discussion Regarding Ordinance 18-22 (7)         City Charter Review - Follow up from 1/12/2022 Committee of the Whole discussion - Brought forward by Mayor Gunter (8)         Council Media Policy - Brought forward by Mayor Gunter Many of you have reached out to the NWNA regarding items 2, 3, and 5. I know they are of great interest to you. You may attend or watch the meeting, but we will provide updates to you on these topics after the meeting. John Bashaw (920) 449-2000

Save the Dates

Where: German American Club on Pine Island Rd

When: February 24, 2022

Time: 10:00 AM

---------------------------------------------------------------

Where: Cape Coral - Committee of the Whole

When: Feb 23, 2022

Time: 2:00 PM

Stonewater Development Update - John Smart

John Smart the NWNA DRC Committee Chairman gives us an update on the current construction being done at the corner of Tropicana Pkwy and Nelson Rd.

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.

NWNA Clean-the-Cape Event

Save the Date! NWNA "Clean the Cape" Day Join us as we work together to clean and beautify our neighborhoods.  Saturday, April 9,2022 8:30-11:30 am Watch for more details............!

The NWNA is partnering with Waste Pro, Keep Lee County Beautiful, and the City of Cape Coral to make our city beautiful. We will meet at Tropicana Park at 8:30 a.m. on April 9 to hand out t-shirts, bags, safety supplies, and answer any questions participants may have.  We will collect trash throughout the morning and reconvene at 11:30 AM for a pizza party and conversation. This is a great opportunity to help your community or to receive those needed service hours! Volunteers and Teams will be asked to register to participate so we can get an accurate estimate for Tee shirts and Pizza. But in case you are wondering why this is important, take a look at this graphic????