Cape Coral tries again with new Jaycee Park concession proposal

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Cape Coral city leaders are reviewing a 20-year proposal that would hand one restaurant group exclusive control over food, drinks and food trucks at Jaycee Park; a deal that could stretch to 30 years if renewed.

The proposal, submitted by the Kearns Restaurant Group, the team behind The Boathouse at the Yacht Club, is the only bid the city received to operate the park’s new concession building and food truck court. Under the terms outlined in the agenda packet, the group would pay the city more than $6,000 a month in rent, plus a percentage of total sales.

For neighbors who live within walking distance of the park, the business terms matter, but the reopening date may matter more.

"My concern would be how soon can they open up, so we can get back in and do the walking and enjoy the park rather than walk on the street," said Tom Holt, who lives on Beach Parkway.

Construction crews were drilling and moving dirt this week as the exterior of the new concession building nears completion. The city is targeting an April 2026 reopening.

Some residents are enthusiastic about the potential deal.

"I think it’s great. Their food was always good at the Boathouse," said Kevin Kubacki. "We’re excited about that."

Others have questions about cost, food truck options and how the space will be managed, especially in the evening hours. The proposal allows concession operations until 9 p.m.

"How are you going to control that? Who’s going to control it? The police?" asked neighbor Joe Love.

The agreement would give the Kearns group exclusive rights to operate all food, beverage and alcohol sales within the concession area, including managing the park’s six food truck spaces.

The item is scheduled for discussion during Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, which is advisory. Any final agreement would still require a formal vote by the city council.

Gulf Coast News asked the city why only one proposal was submitted, what steps were taken to ensure a competitive bidding process, and how this agreement differs from the previous concession deal that collapsed over a missed financial commitment.

In a statement, the city said the item is being presented "for informational purposes and Council discussion" at the Committee of the Whole meeting. The city also noted it does not control how many proposals are submitted in response to a solicitation.

For neighbors like Holt, though, the fine print is secondary to something simpler.

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