Cape Coral is facing a significant infrastructure challenge, with a $1.7 billion shortfall over the next 20 to 25 years. City leaders are emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue as the city continues to grow rapidly.
Cape Coral resident James Reynolds highlighted the city's growth, saying, "It's probably three times the size today that it was when we moved here 20 plus years ago."
Over the past two decades, Cape Coral has maintained low impact fees, now referred to as mobility fees. However, with a booming population, the city needs more than $1.7 billion in the next two decades to address infrastructure needs.
"The money is going to have to come from somewhere," said Cape Coral Councilwoman Jennifer Nelson-Lastra. "I know because 19 years previous, councils prior to us did not support the increase, and here we are, 19 years later."
Part of the funds would be allocated towards expanding roads, bike paths, and sidewalks, which is a concern for some residents.
Cape Coral resident Deb Hykes shared her perspective, saying, "I have to walk my dogs on the street, but we're on a canal down off of Pelican behind the firehouse, so there's no cars, hardly at all back there. So I'm okay with it, but there are a lot of streets that do not have sidewalks, so I think a lot of sidewalks would benefit a lot of people."
Council members pointed out that the city's growth has not been self-sustaining, leaving residents to notice the strain on infrastructure.
"I don't think the infrastructure is keeping up with the population. It doesn't appear to be," said Reynolds.
Punta Gorda resident Laura Butler added, "I just don't think that, in general, the area that enough people are moving to keep up with the housing boom that's going on."
A new state law, effective October 1, will limit the city's ability to raise fees unless the council acts quickly.
The Cape Coral City Council plans to revisit this issue at its next meeting on Wednesday September 16th.