Grant oversight contract awarded for Community Recreation Center and Disaster Shelter at Festival Park
The city of Cape Coral’s plans to build a community center that also could be used as an emergency center moved forward Wednesday with the award of a near $1.82 million grant management oversight contract for the $35 million project.
Cape Coral City Council approved a work authorization contract with Metric Consulting, LLC Wednesday night for the planned Community Recreation Center and Disaster Shelter at Festival Park.
The services to include grant compliance and fiscal oversight is for a not-to-exceed amount of $1,181,610. The work authorization concludes by June 30, 2029, or end upon the closeout of a near $30 million Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery grant the city was awarded.
Councilmember Rachel Kaduk was the sole opposition of the resolution. Councilmember Bill Steinke was not present.
“I would like to know what additional changes are going to be required at Festival Park?” Kaduk asked. “Does the grant cover the entire cost of the shelter?”
It does not. The total cost is estimated at $35 million with the bulk — all but an estimated $5 million-plus — to be paid for with grant fund money.
The city was awarded a grant of $29,904,200.18 to design and construct the dual-use building at the still-under-construction park complex at 1100 Wilmington Parkway. The award was part of a $1 billion grant received by Lee County in the wake of Hurricane Ian to assist in recovery and rebuild efforts.
Council approved Resolution 136-24 on May 1, 2024, appropriating the CDBG-DR grant money for two infrastructure projects.
Emergency Management and Resiliency Director Ryan Lamb confirmed Wednesday that the construction cost of the planned Community Recreation Center and Disaster Shelter is estimated at $35 million.
At this point, the city has earmarked the $5 million needed to complete the project but has not designated either the source of the funding difference or approved that funding, which is why Kaduk said she cast her nay vote.
At this point, with no other source designated, the money would come from the city’s general, or operations, fund.
According to agenda documents, on Nov. 19, 2025, for the Community Recreation Center and Disaster Shelter Study, Concept Plans and other optional services was awarded to Ohlson Lavoie Corporation for a not-to-exceed amount of $2,532,398,89.
The design portion is not expected to be completed until January 2027.
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