City council to revisit road improvements for North 3 UEP
The Cape Coral City Council is expected to consider on Wednesday three potential options related to road improvements, the funding for which could cost some property owners in the next utility expansion area more.
The presentation to the council includes the following options for the North 3 Utility Extension Project: maintain the currently proposed scope of work, assessment and schedule that includes Alternative 5; fund the cost difference between the typical utility-related road restoration and the Alternative 5 road improvements for affected parcels with non-assessed transportation funds; and eliminate Alternative 5, redesign and reissue construction bids.
Alternative 5 for the North 3 UEP was first presented to the council at a workshop on March 12, 2025. The $3,205,679 design contract amendment with McKim and Creed that incorporates it into the North 3 UEP was approved by council on Dec. 3.
Alternative 5 changes the roadway configuration and incorporates a new, 10-foot multi-use path on each side of the roadway, as well as a widened greenway.
Implementing the option would increase the project costs, and the council previously was told non-assessed transportation costs could pay for the improvements. That is no longer the case.
As presented to the council last month, the cost would be passed on to the property owners in North 3 as part of the city’s UEP assessments.
The difference between typical road restoration versus Alternative 5 is $17,246,603.37. The typical cross section restoration is $18,249,650.63 and the Alternative 5 roadway construction is $35,496,258.
When broken down per equivalent parcel, the roadway cost to property owners for Alternative 5 is $5,765. The typical UEP cross section restoration per equivalent parcel is $2,963.95. Either way, property owners also pay for the extension of various lines.
Residents and lot owners in North 3 east of Burnt Store Road are facing an estimated assessment of $35,264 to include water, wastewater and irrigation. Parcels in North 3 west of Burnt Store Road have an estimated assessment of $41,029, including the Alternative 5 road improvement that adds $5,765 per equivalent parcel.
There are other costs as well: $3,000 to $5,000 for the average plumber’s connection cost, $100 for the Department of Health septic abandonment permit, $325 for the water meter purchase and install, and $225 for an account deposit.
The council also will hear a presentation regarding the UEP project delivery method.
The council previously took a consensus to move toward a Program Manager at Risk approach, which went out for solicitations late last year and closed on March 3. The city received two proposals, from Garney Companies Inc. and MWH Construction Inc.
On April 28, staff received the approved recommendation from the city manager to negotiate with Garney Companies Inc.
According to the presentation that the council will hear Wednesday, the current bid-build-delivery method will continue to be used for the UEP. Staff issued the solicitation to select a firm to provide professional engineering and design service over several years and across multiple project areas to support North 6 and future UEP areas.
Other topics on the meeting agenda include fiscal year 2026 building and permitting annual report, Cape Coral firefighter memorial funding update, Cape Coral Building Industry Committee discussion and the non-bargaining compensation policy discussion.
The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the City Council chambers, at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral.
The meeting is open to the public.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY / mbradbury@breezenewspapers.com, please email