Prep work underway at Cape Coral Yacht Club

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — People driving past the Cape Coral Yacht Club in recent days may have noticed heavy equipment near the water, sparking questions about whether long-awaited construction has finally begun.

During a recent Committee of the Whole meeting, city staff confirmed they have issued a Limited Notice to Proceed for the project. That approval allows contractors to order materials, stage equipment, and begin early marine preparation work.

WINK News has reached out to the City of Cape Coral to confirm the exact scope of the work currently taking place near the water and is awaiting a response.

Full construction, including work on the boat ramp, cannot begin until final permits are approved and a full Notice to Proceed is issued. City leaders say that step could come later this month, depending on permit approvals.

Design work for several parts of the project is already complete. According to city staff, finalized designs include the parking garage, pool, harbormaster building, maintenance building, lifeguard building, and beach restroom facilities.

The fishing pier remains on hold while the design plans are 100 percent complete. Construction cannot begin until the city receives approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. City staff told council members the permit application was submitted in May 2025, and the city has been requesting updates every two weeks.

For people who have been visiting the Yacht Club for years, the slow pace has been frustrating.

“It’s been like four years or something, and they haven’t really put anything back,” said Robert Kraus, who has been coming to the Yacht Club area for more than a decade. “I think it’s a matter of time. They’ll build everything back the way it was or better.”

City leaders are also exploring private investment options to help pay for and operate portions of the project. Staff said a Request for Information is being prepared to gauge interest from private partners who could help manage or fund elements such as the parking garage, pool, or other amenities.

Officials say the goal is to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers, though no agreements have been made.