Demolition of iguana-infested abandoned bank begins in Cape Coral

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

An abandoned bank in downtown Cape Coral, overrun by dozens of iguanas and deemed a safety hazard, is being demolished, bringing relief to local residents.

The iguanas perched on the roof watched as demolition crews began tearing down the structure Wednesday. HONC Destruction said the building should be completely torn down by Monday.

Neighbors nearby expressed relief at the progress, with Gary Colley, from Cape Coral, saying, "It's loud, but it's progress."

The building, a former bank located at the corner of 1612 Cape Coral Parkway East, became a safety hazard after Hurricane Ian damaged it in 2022.

Gary Colley said, "This was the main headquarters for a SunTrust bank, and we used to bank here and use a teller machine. It was very convenient. I was really sad when it closed down because it was quite spectacular. It was probably the largest building in the Cape for a long time."

After Hurricane Ian, squatters moved in, along with dozens of invasive iguanas. Karin Colley, a local resident, said, "It's like the gateway to our city, and that's what everybody would see." She reached out to Gulf Coast News, asking for attention to be brought to the iguana-infested building, noting, "No one was really listening to me."

Larry Bechtel from HONC Destruction said their company bought a bid to tear down the building two years ago. "My boss bid this job two years ago, and they just weren't, they weren't ready. And I know the city helped them out a little bit with some money, and we bid the job."

He described the interior conditions, saying, "There's a lot of mold. It's just nasty. Stinks in there." Bechtel said there are burrowing owl nests near the building, and the areas are cordoned off with orange netting. He said he loves owls, and the company is following requirements to keep them safe.

After Gulf Coast News coverage brought new attention to the issue, the building is finally being demolished. Neighbors expressed gratitude for the change, with one saying, "I can't thank you enough. I mean, you've made a huge difference in our neighborhood."

While residents are excited about potential new developments, there is some uncertainty. Karin Colley said, "It's a little scary not knowing what's going to happen." Gary Colley added, "This is history being made right now in the Cape, and that this place will come down. It'll probably be something like the Cove or the Bimini Square."

The Cape Coral Community Development Agency posted on Facebook on Wednesday:

"Progress is happening in South Cape! The building at 1612 Cape Coral Parkway is currently being demolished, marking another exciting step toward revitalizing our downtown corridor. This project is supported through a Demolition Grant from the South Cape Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)—an initiative that helps remove outdated structures to make way for new investment and opportunity.

"Aligned with the CRA’s mission to enhance the economic vitality and visual appeal of South Cape and its vision to create a thriving, vibrant, and connected destination, this project reflects the community’s shared commitment to growth and renewal. The future of South Cape is taking shape—one project at a time!"

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.