Editorial | Catch the Vision
The 14th annual Catch the Vision event did not disappoint.
Hosted for the first time by the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral and emceed by a pair of familiar faces — Gloria Tate and Bill Johnson, Jr. — the look-head showcase at First Cape Church on Monday played to a full — and appreciative — house.
The program’s centerpiece offered both updates on major projects in the development queue and some surprises even for those of us who track what’s coming, each presented via video by the project leaders themselves.
Among those providing updates?
Peter Baytarian, managing partner at Forest Development for Seven Islands, now branded as Gulf Gateway Resort at Marina Village. The mixed-use, waterfront development in the north Cape off Old Burnt Store Road will feature 995 residential units, 10-story hotel with resort-style pool and a complete “island” devoted to public space including a community center, amphitheater, splash pad, boat slips and more. The development is currently in the engineering phase.
Jim Zboril, partner, Coral Grove, a “transformative town center development” spanning 131 acres on Pine Island Road in northwest Cape Coral, adjacent to Bubba’s Roadhouse and Saloon. The planned mixed-use “city center” will include a 125-room luxury hotel and 1,234 upscale apartments as well as retail and fine dining options and entertainment venues. The new news: Expect a “first class grocer.”
Mack Jno-Charles, vice president of Operations, Bones Coffee. Bones Coffee is developing a “destination facility” expansion to include a new 100,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing location in mid Cape Coral.
Among those providing planned ventures newer in the queue?
Dr. Larry Antonucci, CEO, Lee Health, which will be bringing a new-model health care facility to the Cape off Veterans Parkway. Patterned after Lee Health Coconut Point, the facility will offer a variety of services, including a multitude of testing and procedures, at one location.
Nicole Reed, Walmart market manager for Naples-Fort Myers, said the big-box retailer plans a new “next generation” Walmart Supercenter off Pine Island Road.
Tony Squitieri, region vice president, Forestar Group Inc. said Hudson Creek has now reached the planning point with new branding as Star Farms of Cape Coral. The 1,745-acre project in the north Cape will be developed by Forestar Development, which did a similar mixed use, master-planned gated community at Lakewood Ranch. For a comparison close to home, think a mini-Babcock Ranch.
That’s a lot in the queue and just a portion of what’s coming and what’s planned.
We thank the Chamber, the moderators and business leaders who took part, as well as the vendors and sponsors, of which we were one, who made Catch the Vision, round 14 possible.
We invite you to Catch the Vision and we commit to keeping you informed.
Breeze editorial
Correction: The planned Lee Health new-model health care facility off Veterans Parkway will not include an emergency room, The Breeze regrets the error.