Catch the Vision
“Catch the Vision” serves as a platform for community members, developers, business owners, and local leaders to converge, share ideas, and foster partnerships, building excitement for Cape Coral’s future. The event not only highlights the city’s growth but also emphasizes its commitment to community welfare through charitable contributions.
The Women’s Council of Realtors started Catch the Vision 25 years ago to capture the essence of real estate throughout the city. It has since evolved in ways we never thought possible—sharing positive stories of every angle of Cape Coral and prompting excitement for its future of growth,” said Gloria Tate of Raso Realty that organizes the event every year. “Although Southwest Florida has stepped into a new normal, the same hundreds of people who usually attend Catch the Vision can still cheer their city on and have a hand in the greatness that’s about to unfold.
Catch The Vision Event: An Unprecedented Opportunity to Meet Cape Coral’s Development Visionaries
Cape Coral, FL (March. 1, 2024)–This year’s Catch the Vision event, set to take place on Monday, March 18th, 2024, at Cape Christian Fellowship, promises an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to engage directly with the masterminds shaping the future of Cape Coral. Starting at 5:00 pm with a vibrant 75-minute trade show and followed by an insightful 75-minute presentation at 6:15 pm, this event is designed to spotlight the exciting development projects and community initiatives unfolding within the city.
Located at 2110 Chiquita Blvd, Cape Coral FL 33991, Catch The Vision is more than just an event; it’s a gateway to understanding the dynamic changes and opportunities emerging in one of Florida’s most vibrant communities. For only $20, attendees will not only gain entrance to this epic showcase but will also receive a full-color resource guide filled with invaluable local information. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Cape Coral Caring Center, underlining the event’s commitment to community welfare.
This year’s event boasts a lineup of distinguished speakers, each a key player in Cape Coral’s future development landscape. Attendee sand the media will have the rare chance to meet and converse with:
- Peter Bytarian, Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina Village (7 Islands)
- Robert Knight, Lake Shadroe Resort and Marina
- Dario Peretti, Parisio at North Cape
- Commissioner Kevin Ruane, Cape Coral Bridge
- Frank Nader, Victory Park
- Liz McCauley, Cape Coral Animal Shelter
- Gaston Lulinski, Shops of Del Mar and Shops of Del Sol
- Bill Johnson, Horizon Council
Catch The Vision 2024 is a beacon for anyone interested in the development, growth, and future of Cape Coral. It’s a unique platform where community members, developers, business owners, and local leaders converge to share ideas, foster partnerships, and build excitement for what’s ahead. Secure your ticket today and be part of shaping the future of our vibrant community: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/13th-annual-catch-the-vision-tickets-789458831617?aff=Website
Resulting Media Pickups
‘Catch the Vision’ captures wealth of new projects
Annual program highlights 18 development standouts totaling $300 million; 1,000 new jobs
projected
“The future is now.”
Those words rang true Tuesday night at Cape Christian as the 11th annual Catch the Vision showcased multiple upcoming projects and developments arriving in Cape Coral over the next year-plus.
“The future is now,” said former Cape Coral mayor and one host of the presentation, Joe Mazurkiewicz.“That’s really the big thing. It is happening right away. Being here for 50-plus years, always knowing that someday ‘we maybe, could be, if so, sometime,’ and to watch it actually happen is just really, really exciting.
”This edition of Catch the Vision, which highlights Cape Coral’s growing real estate market, forthcoming projects, new trends and what to expect in the coming year, took a deep dive into18 different developments—the most they’ve ever featured.
“I think everyone was pleasantly surprised about all of the money coming in and all of the job opportunities coming in,”said Cape Coral District 1 Council member Gloria Tate, who organizes this even each year alongside her colleague at Raso Realty, Linda Biondi.“I think every council member that has ever run for office has said to diversify the tax base, take the burden off the residents, and we are doing that with all of these projects that are arriving.
”All in all, Catch the Vision’s production promoted more than $300 million in developments coming into the city with more than 1,000 additional jobs.
“Look at the opportunities for workforce housing, and senior workforce housing. We’ve never had that,”Tate said.“Veteran opportunities—everything is changing in Cape Coral, and it’s changing for the better. Our goal is to not have people go over those bridges.”
Change is certainly coming to one of the fastest-growing cities in America, including new developments in the South Cape to give it more of a downtown vibe, additional housing—affordable housing at that—industrial development, healthcare, and retail.
“We heard terms like ‘cool’ and ‘spunk’ for downtown,”said Mazurkiewicz.
Co-host with Mazurkiewicz and Cape Coral Construction Industry Association ExecutiveDirector/CEO BillJohnson Jr., added,“Just the overall diversity of what we’re seeing this year as far as the projects, is really, really cool because we had our years where it was our senior centers, years that is was housing, but to see business actually want to come into our town, invest money, not only bring economic development in, but create jobs, create a whole life style for the residents of our community, it’s really exciting.”
The presentation, which was preceded by a networking opportunity, saw a broadcast of Mazurkiewicz speaking with key members of each project, giving attendees a broader insight into each of these new developments.Keith Quackenbush, owner of Temperature Pro and a first-time attendee of Catch the Vision, said to see what the city is doing in terms of investments and bringing in new business is an invaluable experience.
“It’s very exciting,”he said. “I’m going to go back (to networking forums) and prop up what’s happening here. Even people not in this area, I encourage them to come down and take a peek at what’s happening. The growth is exciting in a big way and it’s great to be part of it.”
Cape Coral City Manager Rob Hernandez addressed the crowd at the end of the presentation and discussed not only the vast array of business coming to the Cape, but what the city itself is doing to invest—a departure from the city’s behavior in the past.
“Our private investors are coming to the plate and they are investing heavily in this great city,”he said. “But the city is investing heavily as well.
“If we’re going to be successful in economic development and prepare our city for what’s to come over the next 50 years, we have to be prepared to do things differently.”
Hernandez spoke of the $60 million Parks GO Bond program approved by the voters in 2018 and the recent groundbreaking of four new parks. He added the city is finishing up (90%completion) what he called the“signature project”of the bond—the complete reconstruction of the Yacht Club Community Park. There are talks of a second restaurant being added, and definite plans for new tennis courts, a 300-space parking garage, a new boat launch facility and more.
Hernandez added the city just finished the most recent phase of its utility infrastructure expansion north of Pine Island Road.
“Everything south of Pine Island Road now has access to city water, sewer, and reuse water,”he said. “Now we’ve just finished the first major section north of Pine Island and we’re in design for UEP 1, which will bring water, sewer, and reuse water in pretty much the northeast section of the city and it’s going to include another key area for economic growth in the city and that is what I refer to as ‘East’ Pine Island Road, and that’s the area around Pondella (Road) going out to the city limits, Judd Creek, and we’ve got some new developments that are going through the preliminary design review process that we didn’t talk about here this evening. Hopefully, next year we’ll be able to share the news associated with those projects.
“Major household names that all of us recognize that are looking at investing in the Cape. And when they’re ready they’re eventually going to give us the green light.”
Hernandez said another area of the Cape to keep an eye on in the near future is Burnt Store Road. “We’re working right now with our staff to make sure our zoning is conducive to the right typeof development,” he said. “Pine Island Road right now is basically spoken for. The next major corridor for economic development in this city is going to be the Burnt Store Corridor.”
Projects currently in development or are soon to be include:
Pro Parks/ Sun Splash Water Park
The city of Cape Coral has entered into a 30-year lease for the operation and maintenance of Sun Splash Family Waterpark. The public-private partnership will be profitable to the city, which has subsidized the facility for years, officials said. ProParks will lease the park for 30 years and pay the city with lease payments and a percentage of gross revenues. The firm will be responsible for running and maintaining the facility, except for the parking lot. ProParks has a plan for Sun Splash, including a rebranding with a new logo and website and the ability to purchase tickets online and not have to go to the park directly to get them. There also will be special events they want to build on.
Madison Square
This $90 million Senior Affordable Development is located just east of Coronado Parkway. The seven-story 82-unit development is under construction along Miramar Street. They are hopeful to have residents by summer of 2022.
Civitas
A 96-unit multi-family affordable housing project is at 413 SW Pine Island Road. The project is expected to break ground in January of 2022 with a construction value of $17-plus million. Civitas will provide affordable housing the Cape hasn’t seen in 20 years, with adjusted rates as low as 30% of median income. They hope to have tenants by 2023.
Insite World Headquarters
Insite Managed Solutions, a global consulting firm specializing in improving corporate efficiencies while enriching customer and employee experience cut the ribbon on its nearly 13,000-square-foot space on Southeast 47th Terrace this past June. Insite’s new office will be used as a base for its global consulting operations, functioning as a training facility and a work space for around 125 local employees, including consultants, analysts, sales, administration, design team, and leadership. In addition, the firm maintains satellite delivery centers in Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale. The new facility features the look and feel of a SiliconValley tech firm, with more than 400 feet of interior glass walls, employee comfort zones, and12 high-tech ZOOM booths for virtual meetings.
Bacino Vista Condominiums
A 16-unit condo space on Coronado Parkway where each tenant has its own boat slip withBimini Basin access. They hope to complete the project by April of 2022 and have plans for anadditional 14 units across the street.
The Cove
This project on Cape Coral Parkway replaces the former “Village Square” mixed-use development which was in the works for more than a decade. An Indianapolis-based developer who is highly experienced in developing urban mixed-use development projects has secured the property and plans to break ground on the $70-plus million dollar development in early 2022. The project should be ready for occupancy beginning late Spring 2023. The project consists of approximately 290 apartment units, consisting of studios, one-, two-and three-bedroom units; 19,000 square feet of commercial space including a rooftop bar, and a 525-space parking structure with 125 spaces reserved for the public on the two lower levels of the garage.
Bimini Square
The $80 million project is planned to be located on the west side of Bimini Basin and is expected to consist of approximately 225 apartment units, 47,000 square feet medical office space, 2,800 square feet of ground floor commercial space along Cape Coral Parkway, a waterfront restaurant and docks, and a 500-plus space parking structure with more than 100 spaces reserved for the public.
Fawcett Emergency Medical Clinic
Crews have recently broken ground at the site of this 12,000-square-foot medical clinic located just west of Santa Barbara Boulevard along the south side of Pine Island Road. The $12 million freestanding ER, to be open 24/7 and have 11 beds, labs, and a pharmacy, is set for completion in mid-2022.
Lee Health
Lee Health is expanding its ICU and Emergency Departments and adding a 23-acre facility similar to its Coconut Point complex on Pine Island Road, as well as at the Bimini Square project. Total investment is expected to tally around $150 million.
The Waters
A senior living campus for independent residents. Slated for 150 units (studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom) and breaking ground in December.
Aspire Apartments
This highly amenitized, 319-unit, four-story multi-family complex is at 3514 Chiquita Blvd. South with a construction value of $8,059,360. The project broke ground this year and hopes to begin leasing in June of 2022.
Entrada Community Shopping Center
Office and retail center featuring medical offices, restaurants and retail outlets at 3571 Del Prado Blvd. leasing to new medical, office and golf simulator business.
Ecological Labs
Ecological Labs is expanding its international headquarters in Cape Coral to better equip them for their growing operation. They are adding 12,000 square feet adjacent to their existing properties totaling $1 million in construction that should be in use by 2022. They are also working on a fertilizer that would be ordinance-friendly.
Nor-Tech
Nor-Tech is undergoing a 30,000-square-foot expansion around the corner from their current location that could bring 50 to 100 new jobs.
Farmer Joe’s Market
Construction continues on the 55,000-square-foot market scheduled to open in mid-December. It is located east of Chiquita Boulevard on the north side of Pine Island Road and will create 350 new jobs.
Island Pearl Mixed-Use Development
A planned mixed-use project is scheduled to break ground soon at the northwest corner of PineIsland Road and Burnt Store Road.
Victory Park Mixed-Use Development
A planned mixed-use project is scheduled to break ground in 2022 along Northeast 24th Avenue just north of Diplomat Parkway and immediately west of the Veterans Medical Center.It will include medical offices and a Wyndham Gardens Hotel.
Cape Coral Commons
Construction of the $25 million, 50,000-square-foot retail center located at the north west corner of Pine Island Road and Del Prado Boulevard continues and is going vertical. It willinclude a Tire Kingdom, Mission BBQ and First Watch and create north of 100 new jobs.
The Club
Located on Pine Island Road, these multi-family apartments will feature 200 units. Permitting is currently underway and the project hopes to break ground in 2022.
Gator Mikes
A Mellow Mushroom Pizzeria and drive-in movie theater are in the works.
Resulting Media Pickups
There’s more where that came from…