The fight over Jaycee Park continues as renovations are underway.
The Reef Cape Coral is contracted to sell refreshments and food after the park is revamped. The city said the company is past due on a $1.3 million payment to the city. That deadline came and went last Friday, and still, no money was paid.
The Reef originally signed an agreement with the city back in September, which required it to pay the city within 60 days. The city says that didn’t happen.
Three months later, the Reef sent a letter to the city saying it was concerned about some changes to Jaycee Park’s design. It asked for an extension, which ended last Monday.
"47th Street is only a half a mile away, and you can get any kind of drink you want there," said Kathe Lopez, Cape Coral resident. "You could get any kind of food."
Steve Wissman, who lives across the street from the park, hopes they work something out with the city.
"I feel for them," he said. "Their intentions are there, but I mean, there is going to have to be a deadline. If you can't do it, then pass it on to somebody else."
The city sent the Reef a demand letter last Friday saying the company owes the city $1.3 million.
The Reef owners told Gulf Coast News off-camera that they still intend to build. They said they haven't been able to get loan money from the bank because the Reef is a new business.
"I personally was never in favor of having alcohol served, but I was outvoted on that," said Cape Coral Council member Laurie Lehmann. "It happens."
Lehmann has been fighting for the park before she was a candidate for the council. She said the fight doesn’t stop now.
"I'm going to keep fighting," she said. "I don't give up. We'll keep fighting, and we'll keep trying to make it better. I want the citizens heard."
Some council members and the Reef owners plan to bring this up at the next Cape Coral City Council meeting on April 2 to decide what happens from here.