The city of Cape Coral is expected to again tackle the subject of whether residents can fish from city bridges — and, if so, where — at a workshop this Wednesday.

Residents have long complained of illegal parking, trespassing, littering and noise from anglers fishing from and below bridges within the city limits, many in residential areas and abutting residential properties.

In response, council requested a safety evaluation. Findings were presented at an October workshop and are expected to be discussed again in detail at the workshop.

Of the 123 city-controlled bridges, 83 are considered safe while the rest have city-identified potential traffic-related concerns. Five of those 40 have no sidewalk and are not “correctable,” while the rest have raised sidewalks, with most being correctable, i.e. made safer.

Signs warning people against fishing on bridges were subsequently posted by the city and private citizens alike. Those signs, though, can’t legally be enforced as no formal action has been taken.

Discussion Wednesday is expected to include how those “correctable bridges” can have a barrier added at a cost of approximately $15,000 apiece. With 33 correctable bridges, that’s a cost of around $495,000.

There is support for allowing fishing where the activity is deemed, or can be made, safe.

The new Waterway Advisory Board supports fishing above and below bridges, with staff identifying the hot spots and placing trash receptacles in those areas. It also recommends replacing/installing safety railings as bridge repairs or replacements are completed and identifying locations for neighborhood public fishing.

The workshop will begin at 3 p.m. at City Hall.

In other business, Ricardo Noguera, Economic & Business Development manager, will update the council on the progress the city has made.

The city of Cape Coral is in the process of implementing strategies to develop economic and business opportunities, as it has already done some significant things to help make that happen.

On March 26, City Council held a retreat at The Westin in which it determined projects and strategies to make the economic future better. Many of those policies have been completed or are in progress.

The city has been targeting businesses it wants to come to town and reached out to existing businesses. Those projects in progress include an economic incentives program, consolidation of the Office of Economic Development and a corridor plan for Burnt Store Road to maximize development potential.

Among the projects the city hasn’t started include making impact fees competitive with neighboring cities, creating an open container zone in the South Cape and adopting a property tax exemption for new and expanding businesses, which would require voter approval.

Noguera also will give an economic report for the second quarter of 2021. The unemployment rate in Cape Coral in February (the most recent information) was 4.2 percent, well below the 5 percent statewide. The retail vacancy rates in 2021 are 2.4 percent for retail, 3.4 percent for office and 3.7 percent for industrial.

The construction value for all development in Q2 was $216.4 million, up from $201.2 million in Q1. Of the 968 permits issued in Q2, 948 were for single-family homes.

Council will also get a recap on the recently concluded 2021 state legislative session; a preview of the upcoming 2021 hurricane season from Ryan Lamb, fire chief and Emergency Management director; and its weekly update on Waste Pro.

The meeting is open to the public.

The board meets in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.