September is Membership Drive Month!

Hi Members:
I just wanted to remind you all that the month of September is our Membership Drive Month!

Let your voices be heard, be part of the solutions, keep up with the changes and watch the NW Cape grow!

A Lifetime Membership is still only $15.00 per family!

This year we are going to give away free NWNA T-shirts to anyone that joins in the month of September (limit two per family), and the person that referred them will also get a free T-shirt.

The t-shirts were made available through the generosity of NWNA member Sam Yaffey - Realtor

So, if you know anyone that would like to join, has been thinking about joining us or is new to the NW Cape, please ask them to please go to our website and select the Membership Tab tab to join us.

Tell them to include the T-shirt size/s they want and to give us the name of the member that referred them in the Comments section of the application.

Stay Healthy!

Linda Stevens
Secretary for the NWNA
secretary@nwcape.com

City Council to select a new District 6 Council Member

NWNA Members: On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, the Cape Coral City Council will select a new District 6 Representative to serve in the seat vacated with the resignation of Mr. Williams.  Based on the City Charter, Council has 30 days to select a candidate's replacement or a special election must be held. Fourteen candidates applied for the position inside the filing deadline of August 27, 2021. This chosen candidate will serve the remainder of Mr. Williams' term, until November of 2022, when the next general election is scheduled.   Council Members and the Mayor have been interviewing the candidates in preparation for their vote on Wednesday. I encourage you to review the candidates' credentials and familiarize yourself with the candidates by clicking the link below.

Agenda for Upcoming Meeting

I am excited so many qualified candidates surfaced for this important position and I want to thank all of the candidates who stepped up and are willing to serve our city. You may view the City Council Meeting live here on Wednesday. The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. and the vote is scheduled toward the end of the meeting. John Bashaw, President (920) 449-2000

Press Release by the City of Cape Coral to Fill District 6 Temporary Vacancy

City of Cape Coral Applications Being Accepted

Members:

Effective 8/17/2021, the City of Cape Coral will begin accepting applications to fill the vacancy in District 6. Please see the Press Release below.

Anyone residing in District 6 may apply. If you have questions about the position or its importance, don't hesitate to reach out.

John Bashaw,

President of the NWNA

City of Cape Coral District Map

City of Cape Coral

1015 Cultural Park Boulevard

Cape Coral, FL 33990

Date: August 16, 2021

The deadline to receive applications is Friday, August 27, at 4:30 p.m.

For application requirements or more information, please visit the City Elections Information below.

Maureen Buice

Interim Communications Manager

City of Cape Coral

City Elections Information

Median Beautification Collaboration

Neighborhood Groups to Adopt Medians.

Members,
We thought you would all like to see this article printed in the Cape Coral Breeze on July 29th.

John Bashaw, President

Beautification Project

A topic that has gained quite a bit of traction in the city has been how to handle the aesthetic improvement of roadway medians.

A pair of Cape Coral neighborhood associations in the southwest and northwest areas are joining forces to help promote the expansion and beautification of city medians through the Adopt-A-Median program.

The Southwest Cape Coral Action Committee (SWCCAC) and the Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association (NWNA) have combined efforts to participate in the Adopt a Median Program by establishing a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, Friends of the Cape Coral Environment, Inc., for the program. Don Apking, director of the beautification committee with the SWCCAC, said the pact, and the sway it creates with their membership, is a way to get things going in regards to median beautification. "The Northwest is basically blank now and needs upgrading and the Southwest is a finish-off area that was started years ago," Apking said. John Bashaw, president of the NWNA, said their organization has always looked for ways to partner with the SWCCAC. "There's strength in numbers, so if we could find a viable project we can partner with them on, we could really be effective in making a change in the city," Bashaw said. The Adopt-A-Median program was started by the city to expand median improvements beyond the $1 million per year in the city budget. It relies on donations from residents and local businesses to fund the improvements on the boulevards and parkways that are not in the city budget. The city manager, city council, and Mayor John Gunter have expressed support for the program. Councilmember Dan Sheppard has been a vocal proponent of the AAM program, providing support to the neighborhood associations to help move the AAM projects through the necessary approvals required by the city, as well as sharing his expertise on plant selection. Apking said the major benefits of improved medians are an increase in the value of the surrounding real estate, as well as the civic pride that comes from working together on something that benefits the entire community. "By working together with our two organizations, we have 2,000 members between the two of us, it gives us some push and we've already gotten a lot of interest from businesses to donate to this," Apking said. Bashaw said Cape Coral Environment Inc. would do much more than just work on beautification of medians or on areas in the Northwest Cape, but the whole city in general. All donations are tax-deductible, and signs will be installed to recognize individuals, families, or businesses who become major donors. Contributions for AAM projects must be made out to "Friends of the Cape Coral Environment, Inc." and mailed to PO Box 53, Cape Coral, FL 33993.

Development Projects Moving Forward

The Phase 2 plan for the Luxury RV Park at Tranquility Lake was just submitted to the city for review.   

Phase 2 consists of 52.12 acres and includes 358 motor coach sites. Combined with the 144 sites in Phase 1, there will be a total of 502 sites. Phase I covers 36.26 acres. Overall, amenities include a welcome center with a gatehouse, a restroom/laundry area, dog park, common space, private streets, dock, swimming pool, and tennis courts. It all starts with the rework of Durden Parkway, at the developer's expense, for safe entry/exit. 

The RV Park will be operated by Equity Lifestyle Properties Inc., a leading owner, and operator of manufactured home communities, RV resorts, and campgrounds. Equity Lifestyle manages 434 properties throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Projects under review

Distrubution Center Concept Plan

Last month, we noted the Walmart Supercenter is back on the radar for SW Pine Island Road across from Bubba's along Saddlebrook Rd. The plan is under review by the city. Now, to the west of the Walmart site is a preliminary plan for some sort of distribution warehouse going up. Known as "Project Lake Union", it's hard to pinpoint which company is involved, so we won't speculate. Any distribution center will bring a lot of jobs to Cape Coral and that's something to look forward to. We'll keep you posted as information becomes available.

The proposed distribution center on SW Pine Island Rd. is 181, 500 sq ft

NWNA Presidents Message

Members:

Cape Coral is fortunate to have a local organization dedicated to rebuilding the forest canopy and creating an environment for plants and animals to thrive.

Future Forestry is the organization responsible for the great work done on Veterans Memorial Parkway and streets intersecting it such as Chiquita and Skyline.

I'm happy to announce that Future Forestry will be planting trees on the new Burnt Store Road Expansion this Saturday. I realize it's short notice, but I wanted to let you know the NWNA has connected with Future Forestry and I wanted to alert you of this project in Northwest Cape Coral.

If you are in the tree planting area on Saturday, please thank the volunteers from across the city who are working hard to make this an even better city to live in. The Future Forestry website can be found here:

futureforestry.org

John Bashaw
(920) 449-2000

Clean-Up the Cape Day Event

Save the Date.

The NWNA is holding a "Clean the Cape" event at Tropicana Park on April 24. We are partnering with Waste Pro, Keep Lee County Beautiful, and the City of Cape Coral to make our city beautiful again. We will meet at Tropicana Park at 8:00 a.m. on April 24 to hand out t-shirts, bags, safety supplies, and answer any questions participants may have.

This event is unique in that we will have a Bulk Waste and Yard Waste drop-off site at Tropicana Park as well. Plus, some equipment and helpers will be there to assist.

This is a chance to get rid of all the eyesores in Northwest Cape Coral. If you have a truck or trailer and can help your neighbors get rid of waste, please do so. Please start thinking of how we can come together as a community and clean this mess up. I'm embarrassed to show guests my city.

Yes, we have a waste collection service that should be taking care of this problem, but let's partner with them and get this done! We won't clean up all of Northwest Cape Coral this first event, but big things get done in little steps.

Please be a part of the solution. I know many of you are already picking up trash and I greatly appreciate that. This Clean the Cape event is intended to support you and help make an even bigger impact.  I want Cape Coral to be known as a clean city - the cleanest in SW Florida.

Want to help?

The City of Cape Coral Seeks Input from You.

The city of Cape Coral Seeks Input from Residents and Business Owners for Strategic Planning Through a Community Survey

NWNA Members:

Your opinion matters. It is apparent the input sought from residents is used to develop plans in Cape Coral. This was the case with the 7 Islands and the Go Bond Parks, and Cape Coral is asking for your opinions again.

When we met as a Neighborhood Association and set our objectives for 2020, we landed on the flowing four initiatives:

1. UEP
2. 7 Islands
3. North Spreader Waterway Exit (Feasibility Study)
4. Beautification, Safety, Lights, Walkways, etc.

We asked what was important to you and those were the top four - and we have news to share on all four at our next general meeting.

Well, the City of Cape Coral is also asking for your opinion on what is important to you. Please participate and complete the survey.

If the four NWNA objectives we set still apply to you (work will still have to continue on all four), please include some or all in your survey response.

Here is the link to the survey.

John Bashaw
President - Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association, Inc.
(920) 449-2000

NWNA & the City is Working Together on Seven Islands

Come Out and Join Us for the 7 Islands Clean-Up Day!

Hello Members, Remember the four focus items you wanted us to work on last year? 1.  UEP 2.  7 Islands 3.  North Spreader Waterway Exit (Feasibility Study) 4.  Beautification, Safety, Lights, Walkways, etc. We want to start the year off on a positive note while addressing both the #2 and #4 objectives! While the 7 Islands project is at a standstill (more information later), we have an opportunity for you to provide a little bit of TLC to that NW Cape treasure and see it up close for yourself.  The city has partnered with the NWNA to provide a truck and workers to remove the heavy and bulk items that others have chosen to dump in this hidden beauty-all we have to do is show up, enjoy a bit of nature and invest with our own efforts. The city has also agreed to repair the barrier gates and replace the signs on the property entrances.  Come join us on Saturday, February 6, at 9:00 a.m. wearing your NWNA T-shirts and clean-up gear for the first of many park clean-up efforts in the NWNA. We will have some t-shirts available if you don't have one. This will be the first of several initiatives to show our pride in our neighborhood, as this and the other parks underway (Tropicana Park, Crystal Lake Park, and Festival Park) are completed.   Contact Secretary@nwcape.com by Feb.1st to be one of the 20 volunteers to join us and show pride in our neighborhood. We want the parks to be kept litter-free at all times to show our neighbors that we respect property values and take pride in our neighborhoods. Bring yourself, and bring a neighbor for this great initiative!

Join us on:

Saturday, Feb 6, 2021

at 9:00 AM

For the 7 Islands Project Clean-up Day!

2nd NWNA Neighborhood Clean-Up Day - Pictures of Us!

December 12, 2020 Members Pictures

We are having our Second NWNA Neighborhood Cleanup Day event to end 2020 and get us off to a clean start for next year.

If you are an active NWNA Member, you can participate.  On Saturday, Dec 12, 2020, if you agree to take a walk and pick up trash in your local neighborhood, you get one of our free NWNA event T-Shirts. That's it!

Pick up trash, put it in your trash bin at home, and score a cool T-Shirt.

Please see the instructions below. We are limiting this offer to members who sign up and agree to Keep our Neighborhoods Beautiful.

Sam Yaffey has again, generously donated funds for the event T-Shirts.

Come out on Friday afternoon and pick up your free T-shirt at:

Experience Real Estate Group
900 SW Pine Island Rd
on Friday' Dec 11, 2020,
between 1:00-3:00 PM

Gather trash in your neighborhood or any area in the NW Cape that needs it.

People with boats, kayaks or canoes are especially needed to pick up debris in the waterway.

Be careful there is a lot of boat traffic in our canals.

Tropicana Park Update

During the City Council Meeting on June 1, 2020, the final design plan for Tropicana Neighborhood Park was approved which included locating the Cape Coral Rowing Club in the southeast corner of the park. The final design is the result of ongoing input from the NWNA, Council, park staff, citizens, and the rowing club to ensure the park design meets the Neighborhood Park concept as defined in the GO Bond initiative. The NWNA has been communicating with park staff on a construction timeline and the implementation of a priority use agreement (PUA), which will allow the rowing club to use the park. The Park staff have indicated that a new construction timeline should be finished and posted to the GO Bond website in the next month. They have also indicated the development of a priority use agreement will begin toward the end of the year. The NWNA will continue to be engaged with park staff and Council throughout the development process until completion.

Final Concept Plan

Regular Meeting Summary - February 18, 2020

Overview

Our February 18^th meeting was held in our new location, Lee County Public Library, Northwest Regional,  519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral, FL 33993.  We had 200+ members and guests in attendance.  The meeting was opened by President, John Bashaw.  The topics for the meeting were updates on the UEP; Seven Islands, Myriad Luxury Motorcoach Resort, NW Cut-Through study,  and the Tropicana Park Issues.   Vice President, Dennis Winchester provided updates to the UEP project.  Updates were provided on the remaining subjects and then the remainder of the meeting concentrated on the Tropicana Park Issues.  President, John Bashaw opened up the floor to input from members and guests in attendance.  This is a very sensitive subject with lots of different views.  It was an interesting discussion.

Resources from Meeting

• Slide Presentation
• Welcome Slides
• Planned Development in Cape Coral

Photos from Meeting

UEP Updated Information

January 13, 2020 Public Works
North 2 and North 1 Updates to City Council.

Public Works Director Paul Clinghan and UEP Project Manager Kevin Higginson provided an update to the City Council on North 2 and North 1 UEP Projects.

North 2 Highlights

• Notices to Proceed for Construction issued 10/18/2017 thru 03/02/2018.

• Assessment methodology same for SW 6&7, North 2 and North 1.

• North 2 Construction Time Extensions were approved primarily due to material and labor shortages.

• North 2 is like all previous UEP’s and all utility and road construction projects in SW Florida. Most complaints are related to dust (dry season), mud (rainy season), and traffic detours.

• North 2 UEP Utilities Notice of Availability – January, February and March notifications will be mailed for specific areas completed with the first surface lift placed.

• 180 Days for homes to connect to Water, Sewer and Irrigation (Plumbers Connections) upon receipt of Notice of Availability.

• After 180 Days Second Lift of pavement placed.

• North 2 Under Budget - Anticipate a North 2 UEP refund. SW 6&7 UEP had a refund of $524 per Equivalent Parcel (EP) for all three utilities.

North 1 UEP

• Presently in negotiations with a National Firm (Tetra Tech) for Design, Permitting and Bidding

• Design Contract to be on March Agenda for Approval by City Council.

• Scope includes evaluation of Construction Contract Phasing considering Funding, Assessments, Bidding, Construction Means and Methods and Construction Contract Time.

• North 1 UEP could be divided into Two Phases with two separate Assessments as approved by City Council.

North 1 UEP Proposed Schedule

• Permitting, Design and Bidding – Starts April 2020

• The City will meet with the NWNA to discuss specific concerns they have during the North 1 UEP design phase.

New Membership Chairpersons

Election of Officers - Nov 14, 2019

The annual meeting of the Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association will be held November 14, 2019 at:

Christa McAuliffe Charter Elementary School Cafeteria
2817 SW 3rd Lane
Cape Coral, FL

• Registration and networking with neighbors 6:30pm to 7pm
• Meeting 7pm to 8:30pm.

Invite your friends and neighbors to attend.

Membership is available to residents and property owners within Cape Coral city limits, north of Pine Island Road and west of Santa Barbara Blvd.

Cape Coral Economic Development Newsletter Released

The Cape Coral Economic Development Office (EDO) published their quarterly Newsletter.  Check out the topics in the planning and construction stages.  Not all projects are for the Northwest Cape Coral, but it does show some of the plans and topics that the EDO are considering.

You can read the Newsletter on our website by clicking on the word "Newsletter" to the left.:

GO Bond Public Input Meetings

This is the time for you to give your personal opinion to the City

The City is hosting a series of meetings to gather community input on the designs of the seven new neighborhood parks that will be constructed throughout the city.

The new neighborhood parks include:

1. Crystal Lake Park
2. Cultural Park
3. Gator Circle Park
4. Lake Meade Park
5. Oasis Woods Park
6. Sands Park
7. Tropicana Neighborhood Park

The public input meetings are set for the following dates, times and locations:

Tuesday, Sept. 17: 6-8 p.m.
Oasis Middle (cafeteria)
3507 Oasis Blvd.Wednesday, Sept. 18: 6-8 p.m.
Diplomat Elementary (cafeteria)
1115 NE 16th Terr.Thursday, Sept. 19: 6-8 p.m.
Christa McAuliffe Elementary (cafeteria)
2817 SW 3rd Ln.

Important Note: There will be an opportunity to provide input on the design of the Community Parks (Yacht Club, Lake Kennedy Racquet Center, Yellow Fever Creek Preserve and Festival Park) at a later date. 

Senator Rubio's Staff in the Cape on Tuesday, August 26.

Announcement from Senator Marco Rubio

"...My staff will offer constituent services on items such as social security payments, issues with the IRS, federal disaster claims, and veterans benefits, as well as to listen to your concerns and suggestions.

Please note that I will not be in attendance, but my staff will be onsite to meet one-on-one and provide you with necessary assistance.
Where:

SWFL Military Museum
4820 Leonard St.
Cape Coral, FL 33904

When: 

Tuesday, August 27: 10:00am - 1:00pm EDT

If you cannot meet with my staff during this time but are in need of assistance, please call my office at 866-630-7106 and we will be glad to assist you.

My office and I are here to help. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and to continue to work on behalf of Floridians."

Leadership Changes

Letter from the President of the NWNA

To the NWNA Members,

I would like to first express my sincerest gratitude for you allowing me to serve as your President for the past 20 months.

But due to a variety of Family issues up north that requires much of my focus, I find myself unable to commit an adequate amount of effort in managing the NWNA.

In the interim, past President John Bashaw has agreed to temporarily step up as President until my term ends in December. I am extremely grateful that he has volunteered to do so.

Sincerely,

John Jacobs -NWNA-President

Also, our Vice-President John Karcher has decided to retire from the NWNA to pursue other endeavors. Below is his letter to the Membership.

August 10, 2019

To whom it may concern:

Good Evening, John Karcher here Vice President of the Northwest Neighborhood Association:

I have belonged to the NWNA for nearly 11 years and have volunteered for the past 8. In that time I volunteered and served on numerous committees. I chaired the Marine Committee and now I am currently the V.P. and am into my 3rd 1 year term. I recently announced that I would not seek another term. It is now time for me to enjoy retirement.

Given the amount of issues and opportunities in play in Cape Coral and to best serve our members, the NWNA is taking different path. In order to clear the path and to allow others to become more active, I am stepping down as V.P. effective immediately.

While the past years of volunteering have been a large amount of work, they have been very rewarding and I have enjoyed taking part in representing our residents. Thank you to all of my supporters for your participation in our efforts.

Best Regards,

John Karcher - NWNA -Vice President

Important Meeting - September 26th

Important General Meeting - September 26, 2019 @ 7:00 PM - doors will open at 6:30 PM for networking.
Christa McAuliffe Charter Elementary School Cafeteria
2817 SW 3rd Lane, Cape Coral

Tentative Agenda Items:

1. 1. Meeting Sign-in and Networking
   • Participate in our 50/50 Drawing. Tickets are $1 each or seven for $5. Please bring the exact amount.
   • Pay your 2020 dues. Dues are $15 (annually) through December of the following year (2020). Please bring exact cash or a check (made payable to NWNA, Inc.).
   • Buy an NWNA T-shirt for $16. Please bring exact cash or a check (made payable to NWNA, Inc.).
   2. Opening Comments by Interim President John Bashaw
   3. Nomination and Voting processes for NWNA Board positions (in preparation for November elections)
   4. Vacant Positions:
   • Preident
   • Vice President
   • Membership Committee Chairperson
   5. Project Updates
   • UEP
   • 7 Islands Project
   • Myriad Luxury Motor Coach Resort
   6. Conclusion of Meeting