South Cape Coral is getting a huge makeover, as crews work on multiple developments near the Bimini Basin.
"The goal here is to revitalize and rejuvenate the south Cape, and bring some new life and some new development into this area," City Manager Michael Illczyszyn said.
Right now, demolition crews hired by the city are tearing down old homes in the Bimini Basin East neighborhoods. They will demolish 47 structures in total. Illczyszyn said most of the properties were battered in Hurricane Ian, and the city is helping previous tenants.
"We've worked with the city in order to initiate some, move out expenses and some relocation expense, programs to help, with anybody that needs help financially," Illczyszyn said.
Illczyszyn expects demolition to be complete by spring. Then, the city will look for developers who want to transform the 19 acres of residential space into a mixed-use development.
"Where you can reside in one of the apartments. You can go enjoy, you know, some restaurant eats or show or play and then at the same time, go to a professional office and work there," Illczyszyn said.
Across the basin, another huge project is almost complete. The Bimini Square will offer waterfront dining, a marina, and luxury apartments. There will also be a new Lee Health Center, expanding access to its health care services in Cape Coral, including adult primary care, cardiology services, imaging, breast health, lab services, pediatric primary care and behavioral health services. Crown Development expects to start leasing to tenants this summer, with the entire Square complete by the fall. The city hopes the east side will be complete by 2027-2028.
"The synergy that will create with that waterway, and these two developments, will begin to start, an entire, you know, vision for what we're trying to accomplish with an urban, walkable, livable downtown in the south Cape," Illczyszyn said.