Author: LeAneSUAREZGroup

After a 2.5-hour public hearing with more than 50 speakers presenting, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 (Ruane opposed) to approve the county Land Development Code amendments as originally presented in June. The coalition of island organizations which opposed these land use changes will be meeting to discuss next steps and possible legal options, and more information on those will be forthcoming soon and at the Sept. 12 meeting of the Captiva Community Panel.

Please note this vote allows the resort (Timbers) to apply for changes to the Administrative Interpretation for South Seas Island Resort (ADD2002-00098) as adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in 2002. The resort will still have to go through public hearings, zoning, permitting, etc. for any new construction.

We thank all the island residents, owners, businesses and visitors that gave their support and their voice to oppose these changes. We will let you know what comes next soon.

Beach Advisory issued for Blind Pass/Turner Beach by Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee)

Lighthouse and Turner Beach Parks will be closed this weekend due to moderate damage that was sustained during Hurricane Idalia. The moderate damages consist of sand displacement on beaches and in parking areas. Public Works personnel are working hard to reopen Lighthouse and Turner Beach Parks by the end of next week. Please watch for further updates.

Additionally, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) has issued a Beach Advisory for Blind Pass/Turner Beach advising the public not to enter the water due to high levels of bacteria identified in routine testing. Water contact may pose an increased risk of disease, particularly for susceptible individuals. This advisory will continue until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level. New test results should be available for Blind Pass/Turner Beach on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Click here to read the September 1, 2023 Beach Advisory from DOH-Lee.

As a reminder, The Florida Department of Health (FDH) Lee County has issued a precautionary “Swim Advisory” for public beaches and swimming pools. Click here to read the August 30, 2023 FDH Lee County advisory.

A new upscale airline is coming to Fort Myers International Airport (RSW) this fall, offering travelers a more comfortable and convenient way to fly between the United States and Canada.

Porter Airlines, a Canadian carrier, will begin daily service to RSW on November 10, 2023. The airline will fly from Toronto Pearson Airport to RSW, as well as from RSW to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.

Porter Airlines is known for its premium service, which includes spacious seats, free beer and wine, and fast WiFi. The airline also uses a new Embraer E195-E2 jet, which is said to be one of the most comfortable and quiet aircraft in its class.

The arrival of Porter Airlines is a welcome addition to RSW, which is the second busiest airport in Florida. The new airline will provide travelers with more options and a more comfortable way to fly, especially those who are traveling between the United States and Canada.

ere are some of the key details about the new service:

• Starting date: November 10, 2023
• Destinations: Toronto Pearson Airport to RSW, as well as from RSW to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa
• Aircraft: Embraer E195-E2 jet
• Service: Premium, with spacious seats, free beer and wine, and fast WiFi

Trucks began hauling sand to northwest Sanibel on August 21, 2023, to replace sand lost to erosion due to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole last year. The project is expected to take about 90 days to complete.

The sand will be obtained from the Stewart mine in Immokalee, which was approved as beach compatible by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The route will be from Immokalee to Sanibel, avoiding Corkscrew Road between Alico Road and Interstate 75.

About 25 trucks will deliver sand each day, which means fewer trucks on the road compared with other recent sand-hauling operations in Southwest Florida.

The sand will be placed on the beach south of Blind Pass, which is an important nesting area for sea turtles. The project is designed to reduce the vulnerability of Sanibel-Captiva Road, which serves as an evacuation route for the islands.

Engineering estimates from the city of Sanibel determined that the site needs about 70,000 tons of sand. The work hours will be from dawn to dusk on weekdays.

The city and county ask that motorists and beach-goers be aware and abide by all signs and instructions provided by traffic control personnel in the area.

This is a critical project to protect Sanibel Island’s beaches and infrastructure from future storms. The sand replenishment will help to restore the beach’s natural beauty and recreational value, and it will also help to protect the island’s wildlife.

Kelly’s Roast Beef Opens First Regional Restaurant in Naples

After a brief delay, Boston-area institution Kelly’s Roast Beef opened its first Naples-area location on Friday, August 25, 2023. The restaurant is located on an outparcel lot fronting Immokalee Road just east of Collier Boulevard in Founders Square.

Kelly’s Roast Beef is known for its roast beef sandwiches, lobster rolls, and other New England-style cuisine. The menu also includes fried clams, onion rings, and

Porter Airlines will begin nonstop service to Toronto from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, Florida, on November 10, 2023. The new service will operate daily using a new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft with 132 seats.

Flights from RSW to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) will depart at 9:00 AM and arrive at 12:00 PM. Flights from Toronto to RSW will depart at 4:45 PM and arrive at 8:00 PM.

This new service is a welcome addition for travelers in Southwest Florida, who will now have a convenient and direct way to connect to Toronto, Canada. Porter Airlines is known for its premium service and amenities, including free checked bags, comfortable seats, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

The new service is part of Porter Airlines’ expansion into the United States. The airline also recently announced new service to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) has been named the best airport in North America by a leading travel website. The award, which was given by J.D. Power, is based on a survey of airport customers.

RSW scored high in all areas of the survey, including check-in, security, baggage handling, cleanliness, and food and beverage. The airport also received high marks for its customer service.

“We are honored to be recognized as the best airport in North America,” said Thomas Wensing, CEO of RSW. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, who are committed to providing our customers with a safe, efficient, and enjoyable travel experience.”

RSW is a major gateway to Southwest Florida, serving over 10 million passengers annually. The airport offers nonstop flights to over 100 destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

In addition to its award-winning customer service, RSW also offers a variety of amenities, including a children’s play area, a business center, and a spa. The airport is also home to a variety of restaurants and shops.

If you are planning a trip to Southwest Florida, be sure to fly into RSW. You won’t be disappointed.

Here are some additional details about RSW:

• The airport is located in South Fort Myers, Florida.
• It is the 17th busiest airport in the United States.
• The airport has two terminals, with a total of 42 gates.
• RSW is served by over 20 airlines.
• The airport offers nonstop flights to over 100 destinations.
• RSW is a major economic driver for Southwest Florida, generating over $10 billion in economic activity annually.

Click here for the study

A new indoor go-karting facility is coming to Fort Myers, Florida. The facility, called “Karting World,” is expected to open in early 2024.

Karting World will be located at 12345 Tamiami Trail, Suite 100, in Fort Myers. The facility will have a 50,000 square foot track, which will be able to accommodate up to 12 karts at a time. The karts will be electric, so there will be no emissions.

In addition to the go-kart track, Karting World will also have a laser tag arena, a arcade, and a cafe. The facility will be open to people of all ages.

The cost of go-karting at Karting World will start at $15 per person for a 10-minute session. Laser tag will cost $10 per person for a 15-minute session. Arcade games will cost $0.50 per play.

Karting World is expected to create 50 new jobs in Fort Myers. The facility is being developed by a group of local investors.

The opening of Karting World is a welcome addition to the Fort Myers area. The city has a growing population and a vibrant economy. Karting World is sure to be a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.

Click here for the entire article

Closed Sales
Closed sales for the 12-month period ending July 31, 2023 were down 26% from the preceding 12-months, from 32,445 to 23,908. The 1,733 sales posted for the month of July were down 13% when compared to July of 2022.

Listing Inventory / New Listings
As of July 31, 7,545 properties were available, up 36% from the same date last year and down 1% compared to the prior month. New listings for the 12-month period ending July 31 were down 10% from the preceding 12-months, from 36,672 to 33,047. For the month of July, new listings were down 9% from the same period in 2022. 3.79 months of supply was posted as of July 31, up 84% from July 2022 when months of supply was an unusually low 2.05 months.

Average Selling Price
The average selling price for the 12-month period through July 31 was $796,617, up 9% from the preceding 12-month period when the average selling price was $733,242.

Perspective
Although closed sales for July trailed last year’s pace, standing listing inventory as of July 31^st posted a modest month-over-month decrease, down 1% from 7,654 to 7,545 units. Months of supply, a metric which gauges the balance between supply and demand, at 3.79 month as of July 31, was essentially unchanged from 3.80 months posted in June. In Southwest Florida, six to twelve months is generally considered a balanced market, with fewer months being indicative of a seller’s market. By the numbers, a seller’s market has existed in Southwest Florida since early 2020, peaking in February 2022 when a mere .63 months of supply was posted. 12-month rolling closed sale prices have followed, with continued year-over-year increases, but now more modest than during the peak of buyer activity in 2021 and 2022.

Through July, John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate continues to lead the market in Southwest Florida! John R. Wood also holds the top position in closed sales volume in the Bonita-Estero, Naples, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and Pine Island-Matlacha markets!

Click here for the full report