Bistro component completion at Jaycee Park could top $1.4 million
City has invested $800,000 so far; may issue RFP to recover costs
City of Cape Coral
With the current funds being expended for the bistro at Jaycee Park, Cape Coral City Council will discuss the remaining work that needs to be completed for the amenity Wednesday.
The discussion is being held because of the loss of investment funds after the termination of the concessionaire agreement following a failure to meet a financial commitment from Fortress Secured on March 31, 2025.
Due to this, construction beyond the main foundation and exterior walls has been paused until council provides direction.
The remaining work includes a pre-engineered metal roof that has been designed, is ready to order, but is not currently funded. The cost is $216,000 to build and install the roof. The estimate to complete the entire bistro building and furnishings, fixtures and equipment is $600,000.
Council will be presented with various rent options to continue the project – the roof option and full buildout option.
The roof option would include the city completing the shell buildout to include the roof for $216,000. This option would also include the issuance of request for proposals for the remaining work, and for management and operation of the concession area and food truck court, or operate internally.
If ouncil moves forward with the roof option of $216,000, the change order will increase to $648,000, which would be recovered from a capital contribution.
The second option, the full-building option, would have the city complete all the remaining work.
If council opts to move forward with this option, the change order would increase to $1.4 million. This could be recovered from a capital contribution, officials said.
According to tWednesday’s presentation, the city has more than $800,000 invested toward the building, which was originally set aside in the FPC budget.
Additional money would be required if the city chooses to complete the buildout of the bistro, estimate about $600,000, which does not include the roof. This option also would include issue of an RFP for management and operations of concession area and food truck court, or operate internally.
If council chooses to issue an RFP now, it would enable the city to secure an agreement with a new concessionaire, which then could provide a capital investment toward the construction, furnishings and equipment costs associated with the bistro. If internally is chosen, the city would forgo any option for a capital contribution and revenue share to offset annual debt services.
A change order is required regardless of the option of choice for the Jaycee Park overall project in order to replenish contingency funds expended for the early work authorization to conduct predevelopment sit preparation, added costs for additional floodproofing requirements and delegated scope of work for sports enhancement.
The initial concept, which was presented to council in January 2023, included a bistro and food truck area. In November of that year, council received an unsolicited public-private partnership proposal from Fortress Secured, which included a concessionaire proposal to provide management and operation of concession area and food truck court.
The concessionaire proposal included an initial investment of $1,370,488, which went toward the cost of planning, design and construction of the bistro building.
The concessionaire agreement was signed in September 2024. The construction budget included limited funding for the bistro due to only having a partial design.
The City Council meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in City Council Chambers 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.
2025-12-10_Council Jaycee Park Bistro presentation
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