Lee County nonprofit stepping up to help repair Cape Coral family's sinking driveway

A Cape Coral family’s driveway, which has a massive drop-off due to a sinking road, is being repaired with the help of the nonprofit Lee Builders Care. “I was so glad that they said they would do it, because otherwise I would be broke,” Jack Johnson said. The issue stems from a section of Northwest 16th Terrace that has dipped as much as 18 inches, creating significant hazards for residents. The situation was so severe that USPS stopped delivering mail to the neighborhood. The city has approved a $500,000 emergency repair plan to address the sinking road. Crews will use 12 injection points to pump grout approximately 40 feet underground before fixing the street. Only after the road is stabilized can work begin on the Johnsons’ driveway. “I’m just happy that they said they would do it. I mean, to me that is a great relief,” Johnson said. Johnson explained that he applied for assistance through Lee Builders Care, which specializes in providing emergency home repairs. “Gave them the information that we needed and they came out and inspected it yesterday,” he said. Phillip Ford, executive vice president of Lee Builders Care, visited the site and described the extent of the damage. “You guys have covered it, you see it on TV with it then you actually get there. You know, I never saw anything like that in person,” Ford said. Ford emphasized that the driveway repair will be funded entirely by donations. Once the city completes its road repairs they can step in. “The guys are going to come out to pour the concrete. We want to make sure we do one pour,” Ford said. Ford said the nonprofit is working with the city to make the process as smooth as possible and hopes the repairs will be completed by January, giving the Johnson family, including a veteran and his wife, a safe and functional driveway. 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.