Category: Island Update

Introducing Captiva Landing, South Seas’ 7-acre resort amenity, providing fun experiences for all ages.

JUST ANNOUNCED… The Next Chapter at South Seas Island Re

Hot off the press! South Seas recently announced on their Facebook page; The Next Chapter Begins with introducing Bottlenose Bay, an all-new waterpark…

It will feature six slides, tipping buckets, water cannons, splash zones, and expansive cabanas. A wholesome sun and water-soaked time ahead… can’t wait. 🤽💦🌊

Click here to learn more

Tomorrow, February 28, 2023, at 6 am, the Sanibel Lighthouse will officially be relit by the City of Sanibel. Following damage caused by Hurricane Ian in September 2022, one of the lighthouse legs was replaced with a temporary wooden support. This month, electrical repairs were completed and the US Coast Guard replaced the light. City officials will gather to celebrate the relighting of Sanibel’s iconic lighthouse, which began operating in 1884. The lighthouse parking lot will be open only for the morning ceremony with limited parking available due to ongoing repairs. Attendees should apply insect repellent and consider bringing a flashlight. After the ceremony, the parking lots will be closed to the public until further notice.

Sanibel Recreation Center WAG Feb 26

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce has launched a new Wander: Maps & Navigation app and website to help visitors and locals find open businesses and access points following Hurricane Ian. The GPS-enabled map includes all open island businesses, regardless of chamber membership, as well as beach access points and bike parking areas. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, and Google Play, or accessed online at tinyurl.com/sancapwandermap, and is organized into seven categories: beaches, shopping, attractions, lodging, vacation rentals, services, and off-island businesses. Billy’s Bike Shop is partnering with the chamber to distribute information to renters and post the map QR code along Sanibel’s shared use path.

For more information about the chamber Wander Map and to request updates to the app, contact Aaron Walton at aaron@sanibel-captiva.org or 239-472-8759.

If you’ve inherited a property, sold it and want to save on taxes, there’s a federal rule that can help: the 1031 exchange. This rule allows you to postpone paying taxes on the gain if you reinvest the proceeds in similar property as part of a qualifying like-kind exchange. However, it’s important to discuss the legal and tax implications with a lawyer or accountant. A 1031 exchange is a valuable investment tool that, if used properly, can help property owners maintain profits, according to Ron Schultz, executive vice president at Colliers in Tampa.

Below are some of the important points to keep in mind.

• The first limit is you have 45 days from the date you sell the relinquished property to identify potential replacement properties. The identification must be in writing, signed by you and delivered to a person involved in the exchange like the seller of the replacement property or the qualified intermediary. However, notice to your attorney, real estate agent, accountant or similar persons acting as your agent is not sufficient
• The replacement properties that are identified in the written document must be described clearly, including a legal description, street address, or distinguishable name in the case of real estate. The IRS provides guidelines that must be followed regarding the maximum number and value of properties that can be identified.
• The second limit for a 1031 exchange is that the replacement property must be received and the exchange must be completed within 180 days after the sale of the relinquished property, or the due date (with extensions) of the income tax return for the tax year in which the property was sold, whichever is earlier. Additionally, the replacement property must be substantially similar to the property that was identified in writing within the 45-day limit.

Click here for more article

Following the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, communities in Sanibel, Captiva, and Southwest Florida are working towards recovery. To aid in this process, SCCF Coastal Resilience Manager Carrie Schuman, Ph.D. is offering a comprehensive guide on how to increase the region’s resilience against future storms and the impacts of climate change.

This informative guide, which focuses on tax credits, rebates, and other financial incentives, outlines four key steps towards building resilience:

• Energy Generation
• Energy Efficiency
• Transportation
• Hurricane Proofing

This guide includes a variety of available financial incentives that can help homeowners, businesses, and other entities — such as nonprofits, schools, and municipalities — make some of these choices while taking advantage of potentially significant savings.

Schuman reminds us of other long-term benefits as well.

By adopting solar and other renewable energy sources, you will become less dependent on both a volatile fossil fuel market and the availability of backup power as battery technology improves. By choosing energy-efficient appliances, you can help streamline overall energy usage, resulting in lower bills. Savings range from hundreds of dollars to several thousand.

Click here to DOWNLOAD GUIDE.

The Sanibel School students and staff are back on campus, experiencing the benefits of a shorter commute and a familiar environment after Hurricane Ian caused widespread damage to the school in September. The district initially thought the school would need to be completely rebuilt, but engineers found it to be structurally sound and only required repairs.

Despite the renovations, students and teachers are still noticing the aftermath of the storm, with half of the elementary students moved to the less damaged upper building, and the lower building being powered by generators. Additionally, there is still no carpet or ceiling tiles in the school, but contractors are working to complete the necessary repairs by August.

The Sanibel School has a rich history, dating back to 1890, with its current buildings built in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 1963, it became the first integrated school in Lee County. Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Ian, the school continues to provide quality education and foster a sense of community for its students.

The Bimini Bait Shack, a seafood restaurant, tiki bar and grill located at the base of the Sanibel Causeway, has reopened its doors four months after Hurricane Ian. The establishment faced an estimated 140 mph winds and 9-10 feet of storm surge, resulting in minimal water damage but significant roof damage.

Despite a slow start during its soft opening weekend on January 27, the Bimini Bait Shack has been gaining traction as more people learn of its return.

For more information, please visit Gulfshore Business by clicking here.

The City of Sanibel has opened limited beach parking on Saturday, February 4, 2023. The City is thrilled to reopen the beaches as the island is slowly recovering from Hurricane Ian, which hit the shoreline of Sanibel on September 28, 2022.

Visitors should remember that the City and its citizens are still recuperating from the storm and kindly request that they only access the beaches through designated public beach access points and avoid any private property areas.

Beach parking and public access to the beach will be provided at the following locations:

• Trost Parking Lot on Tarpon Bay Road, which serves the Tarpon Bay Rd. Beach access area
  • Parking by City of Sanibel beach parking permit and paid hourly parking ($5/hr)
  • 76 general parking spaces
  • Restrooms are available at the parking lot and beach access area
• Blind Pass Beach Park.
  • Parking by City of Sanibel beach parking permit and paid hourly parking ($5/hr)
  • 23 general parking spaces and 6 spaces for A or B City of Sanibel beach parking permits
  • Portable toilets are available at the parking lot and beach access area
• The following locations will be open for patrons with a City of Sanibel A or B beach parking permit:
  • East Gulf at Colony beach access – 2 spaces (A permit)
  • Beach Road beach access – no defined parking stops but approximately 13 spaces (A or B permit)
  • Nerita Street beach access – no defined parking stops but approximately 6 spaces (A or B permit)
  • Bock Peace Park (located north end of Dixie Beach Blvd) – 6 spaces (A or B permit)
  • Bayview Park (located north end of Bailey Road) – 10 spaces (A or B permit)
  • Sanctuary Overlook – 2 spaces (A or B permit)

Below is the map of the City of Sanibel beach parking locations.

The city will be using the new mobile system for hourly beach parking payments. The City’s Beach Parking staff will be at the Trost Parking Lot and Blind Pass Beach Park to assist patrons in using the NEW mobile pay system beginning February 4, 2023. Parking without a City of Sanibel Beach Parking Permit or, parking without paying may result in a $150 fine.

Click here for the City of Sanibel beach parking permit application and requirements.