Cape Council discusses city New Year’s celebration
The city of Cape Coral has been working on a new signature event for New Year’s Eve on par with its July 4th street party, Red, White & BOOM!, complete with live bands, food, drink and fireworks.
However, South Cape businesses and members of the Cape Coral City Council have become a little leery of such an event for fear it would hamper business on one of their biggest nights of the year, since the event would be at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge.
During Wednesday’s Council workshop, this and many other concerns were brought up which could bring plans to a halt.
Mayor John Gunter proposed a family friendly event for Dec. 31, but with the real fun happening at midnight, Councilmember Robert Welsh was worried that it would not be very successful.
“I would rather have it in the entertainment district where we wouldn’t have to stop traffic and we could close traffic to Southeast 47th Terrace,” Welsh said. “We did all these improvements and it would be a great opportunity and a cost savings to the city to hold it on 47th Terrace.”
Councilmember Jennifer Nelson agreed because of the midnight timeframe, as did Councilmember Gloria Tate, who thought closing Cape Coral Bridge on a high-traffic holiday would be dangerous and that it would not be good for South Cape businesses.
Councilmember Tom Hayden proposed doing what is done with Art Fest, closing Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado to Vincennes, an idea with which Councilmember Dan Sheppard agreed, as the area along 47th Terrace may be too small.
Gunter expressed the desire to make a decision quickly, as it may already be too late. All the major acts are booked, leaving local bands to perform.
“A lot of the acts and fireworks and companies who do sound and light are already booked. That’s our biggest struggle,” City Manager Rob Hernandez said. “We’re going to do an event, whether it’s at the bridge or anywhere else and it will be a successful event.”
Assistant City Manager Connie Barron confirmed what Hernandez said and added that getting volunteers, who make other major events in the city happen, will be difficult.
“There are concerns about volunteering on the night there are the most drunk drivers on the road. Also, when fireworks go off at midnight and you’re way behind already and creating 19-hour workdays,” Barron said. “Concerns have been expressed by the special events team.”
The city has budgeted $150,000 for special events and there has not been a high-profile sponsor who has stepped up, Barron said, adding that an event at the bridge would be many times more expensive than one in the entertainment district.
Gunter then suggested a family-friendly event at the bridge earlier in the evening, then something later at 47th Terrace.
“I was looking to do something more family oriented for the community. But I believe we can do something as an alternative,” Gunter said. “As a city we need to do an event for all ages, not just for those on 47th Terrace.”
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com