Category: Island Update

The City of Sanibel is preparing to mark the grand finale of its 18-month-long 50th Anniversary celebration. On Saturday, January 10, the community will gather at City Hall to honor the island’s history and look forward to its future with two major events: the sealing of a new time capsule and a community-wide luncheon.

Here is an overview of the upcoming festivities presented by the City and Bank of the Islands.

Part 1: Honoring Our Past, Charting Our Future

• Time: 11:00 a.m. – Noon

• Location: Front of City Hall

The day begins with a ceremony focused on the city’s legacy. This event brings the anniversary celebration full circle; the festivities began in November 2024 with the unearthing of a time capsule buried 40 years prior. Now, the city will seal a new time capsule, scheduled to be reopened in 2049 during Sanibel’s 75th anniversary.

What’s Inside the Capsule? According to Recreation Department Director Andrea Miller, the new capsule will contain a mix of history and future hopes, including:

• Items from the original capsule (including a rare Junonia shell and vintage causeway tickets).

• A piece of a brick from the Sanibel Lighthouse keeper’s cottages lost during Hurricane Ian.

• Submissions from local nonprofits and organizations.

Community Participation: “My Future Wish for Sanibel” Residents have a unique opportunity to include their own voices in the capsule. 250 postcards are currently available at the Sanibel Recreation Center and Bank of the Islands. Participants can write their vision for the city on these cards.

• Note: Completed postcards must be returned by January 8 to be included.

The ceremony will feature remarks from City Manager Dana Souza, Mayor Mike Miller, and representatives from the National Junior Honor Society and Sanibel Captiva Young Professionals. The BIG ARTS Community Chorus and students from the Children’s Education Center of the Islands will provide musical performances.

Part 2: Lunch & Legacy — Together At The Table

• Time: Noon – 2:00 p.m.

• Location: Behind City Hall

Immediately following the ceremony, the celebration moves behind City Hall for a free event open to the public. “Lunch & Legacy” will feature food, live music by Danny Morgan, and family-friendly games like cornhole, giant Jenga, and Connect 4.

Food & Refreshments: Local favorites will be providing the menu for the afternoon:

• Bailey’s: Hot dogs and bratwursts

• Tacos La Isla: Food truck service

• Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille: Chips, iced tea, and lemonade

• Jerry’s Foods: Custom commemorative cookies

• Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream: Ice cream service

Attendees can also visit tables set up by various community partners, including the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, San Cap Pink Project, and the Sanibel Public Library, among others.

Event Snapshot

Event: Sanibel 50th Anniversary Finale & Time Capsule Sealing Date: Saturday, January 10 Schedule:

• 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Ceremony (Front of City Hall)

• 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.: Lunch & Legacy Party (Behind City Hall) Location: Sanibel City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road Admission: Free and open to the public. Attendees will receive a commemorative button. Contact: For more information, contact the Sanibel Recreation Center at 239-472-0345.

The Sanibel Community House is set to welcome residents and visitors for its January Arts & Crafts Fair on Sunday, January 11.

Held indoors at 2173 Periwinkle Way, the event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offers a perfect opportunity to support the island’s creative community. The fair is free and open to the public.

What to Expect Attendees can browse a wide selection of unique, handmade items. The vendor list includes original paintings by local artists, tropical decor, jewelry, purses, and hand-sewn accessories. Other finds include greeting cards, pottery, shell crafts, and an assortment of delicious baked goods.

Important Note for Vendors The organizers—Sanibel Community House and The Island Octopus—have announced that vendor spaces for this show are officially sold out. They also advise that all official communication comes directly from them; artists should be wary of scams and should never send payment to anyone via Facebook Messenger claiming to be an organizer.

As the year draws to a close, the Protect Captiva coalition has released a critical update regarding its ongoing efforts to maintain the island’s long-standing building height and density limitations.

On December 15, the coalition announced that its legal actions are “coming to a head,” with the community currently front and center in four separate legal proceedings. According to the update, each case is moving toward a decision following upcoming oral arguments and final briefs.

Key Legal Developments The litigation involves multiple fronts, including an appeal by Lee County and South Seas regarding the court decision that limits the resort to 912 units. Additionally, the Captiva Civic Association (CCA), the City of Sanibel, and various condominium associations have filed petitions and appeals challenging recent rezoning decisions and amendments that they argue violate the historic Lee Plan.

The coalition emphasized that if the current appeals are successful, recent county actions favoring the new owners of South Seas could be called into question.

Funding the Fight The legal defense of Captiva’s density limits has been costly but well-supported. To date, over 1,600 donors have contributed $1.5 million to the legal fund. With expenses already reaching $1.3 million, Protect Captiva projects it will need to raise an additional $300,000 in the coming months to see these efforts through to completion.

In one of the largest retail transactions in Collier County this year, Island Plaza has sold for $26.6 million. The deal marks a significant shift in the typical commercial real estate narrative, as the prominent 70,823-square-foot shopping center moves from a national billionaire’s portfolio back into the hands of an owner with deep local ties.

A Shift to Local Investment

The property at 3058-3078 Bald Eagle Drive was purchased by Island Plaza 2025 LLC. Luigi Carvelli—whose family operates several of Marco Island’s most iconic restaurants, including Snook Inn, DaVinci’s, and Marco Prime—is listed as an authorized agent for the new ownership group.

This transaction reverses a common trend where local properties are sold to national entities. The seller, Island Plaza Investments LLC, is managed by Konya Shuh, daughter of billionaire entrepreneur Diane Hendricks. The Hendricks family, known for their revitalization efforts in Wisconsin, originally purchased the plaza in 2013 for $12.5 million and completed major renovations in 2018.

Seamless Transition for Tenants

Despite the change in ownership, the brokers behind the off-market deal emphasize that it remains “business as usual” for the plaza’s diverse mix of tenants. The shopping center currently hosts a blend of national and local businesses, including:

• Retail & Pharmacy: Bealls Outlet, CVS Pharmacy, and Jetset Surf Shop.

• Services: Quest Diagnostics, T-Mobile, and Pinch-A-Penny.

• Dining & Personal Care: Davide Italian Café & Deli and Modern Nails.

Brokers Cody Shadley and Bryan Flores of KOVA Commercial Group, who facilitated the sale, confirmed that existing leases and daily operations will not be impacted by the Dec. 5 transaction.

Strategic Market Impact

The sale highlights the continued strength and competitiveness of the Marco Island commercial market. By timing the exit strategically, the previous owners were able to capitalize on the property’s significant appreciation, while the new owners secured a stabilized asset with high visibility at the entrance to the island.

According to the brokerage team, the deal was born out of long-term leasing relationships and the buyer’s existing familiarity with the plaza’s prominence in the community.

The Naples Airport Authority Board of Commissioners has officially cleared the way for the next stage of modernization at the North Road Terminal. In a unanimous 4-0 vote, the board awarded key contracts to Curran Young Construction, Garland, and Schenkel Schultz to begin Phase II of the facility’s renovation.

Building on Recent Progress

This announcement follows the successful completion of Phase I, which focused on the building’s exterior. Those initial improvements included hardening the building envelope for increased storm resilience, updating canopies, and refreshing the surrounding landscaping and site work.

Enhancing the Passenger Experience

Phase II shifts the focus toward the interior and infrastructure. With a total project cost capped at $4,409,761, the upcoming renovations will include:

• Public Spaces: Complete redesign of the lobby and waiting areas.

• Amenities: Upgrades to the car rental spaces and the grab-and-go cafe.

• Infrastructure: Installation of new air-conditioning systems and critical roof repairs.

• Aesthetics: Modernized interior finishes and new furnishings throughout.

In addition to the construction costs, the board approved a $136,080 contract with Schenkel Schultz for design and construction administration to ensure the project meets its specifications.

A Historic Milestone

This project represents the first major overhaul of the North Road Terminal since its original construction in 1983. By the time Phase II reaches its estimated completion in December 2026, the terminal will be fully equipped to provide a more efficient and comfortable experience for modern travelers.

As 2025 draws to a close, the Protect Captiva coalition has released a comprehensive update regarding the ongoing legal battles to preserve the island’s building height and density standards. Currently, the community is involved in four distinct legal proceedings that will shape the future of Captiva’s development.

Key Litigation Summaries:

• Unit Density Limits: Lee County and South Seas are currently appealing a Circuit Court decision that limits the resort to 912 units. While waiting for oral arguments, South Seas must notify the Captiva Civic Association (CCA) before requesting building permits, allowing the community time to act.

• Zoning Invalidations: A petition has been filed by a broad coalition—including the CCA, R.L.R. Investments, Royal Shell Vacations, and 20 South Seas associations—seeking to invalidate the county’s decision to rezone South Seas for increased height and density.

• Land Development Code Appeal: The CCA and the City of Sanibel are appealing an administrative judge’s ruling. The coalition argues that exempting South Seas from local height limits is inconsistent with the Lee Plan’s requirement to maintain Captiva’s historic development pattern.

• Sanctions and Fees: The CCA is awaiting a court review for sanctions against the resort regarding a lawsuit over the definition of “units” in a 2003 settlement.

Fundraising Status: The community has shown historic support, with more than 1,600 donors contributing $1.5 million to the legal fund. With legal costs currently at $1.3 million, the coalition anticipates needing an additional $300,000 to sustain these efforts through the coming months.

Following the passing of Commissioner Mike Greenwell, Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Patricia “Trish” Petrosky to fill the vacant District 5 seat. Petrosky was officially sworn into office on December 15, representing the communities of Lehigh Acres, Alva, Buckingham, and parts of North Fort Myers.

A 34-year-old Republican and former Realtor, Petrosky moves into public service from a previous role as an executive assistant at Evangelical Christian School. While her political experience is fresh, she has deep roots in the region, having lived in Lee County for 15 years.

Strategic Priorities and District Focus:

• Infrastructure: In Lehigh Acres, Petrosky is prioritizing road improvements, pothole repairs, and the addition of sidewalks to support economic development.

• Development Scrutiny: Now a resident of Alva, she has expressed a commitment to preserving the area’s rural character and bringing closer scrutiny to large-scale development projects.

• Fiscal Responsibility: Her broader platform includes fiscal conservatism, clean water initiatives, and addressing county-wide traffic congestion.

Petrosky plans to launch listening tours throughout District 5 to engage directly with residents. Chairman Cecil Pendergrass welcomed the appointment, noting that Petrosky is the first woman to serve on the board in 12 years.

Petrosky will hold the seat through the 2026 election cycle, where she will need to run for a full term to remain in office.

The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District recently held its Annual Awards and Employee Appreciation Dinner to honor the men and women who serve our community.

2025 Award Recipients:

• Bryan Clement was named Firefighter of the Year for his exceptional work in advancing the district’s life-saving water rescue capabilities.

• Mike Basora received the Fire Chief’s Award for his compassion and “public servant first” mentality, notably during the recent hurricane season.

• Larry Williams received Special Recognition for his monumental efforts in fire prevention and community rebuilding post-Ian.

Fire Chief Kevin Barbot emphasized that while the awards highlight specific achievements, the dinner is a celebration of the entire team—including retirees and commissioners—whose collective work ensures the safety of Sanibel’s residents and visitors.

The Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) has launched a new initiative to help protect our island’s delicate coastal environment. Thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), property owners can now have invasive Australian pines removed from their land at no cost.

Why remove Australian pines? While they are a common sight, these invasive trees pose a threat to Captiva. Unlike native vegetation, they do not stabilize dunes. Instead, their shallow root systems make them prone to storm damage and increase erosion. They also displace native plants and can interfere with sea turtle nesting sites.

Program Details:

• Full Service: The grant covers tree cutting, stump grinding, and debris removal.

• Professional Work: Removals are performed by Joshua Tree, a licensed and insured contractor.

• No Cost: This service is entirely free for Captiva property owners.

Participation is voluntary. If you have Australian pines on your property and would like to help protect the island’s long-term beach renourishment efforts, please contact the CEPD to schedule a consultation.

Please note: Trees currently hosting active osprey or eagle nests are not eligible for removal. The program runs through June or until funds are fully allocated.

Contact to participate: Email: info@mycepd.com Phone: 239-472-2472

Looking for a unique way to celebrate between Christmas and New Year’s? The Community House is bringing a “Seinfeld” twist to our next Monthly Social on December 30. From 5 to 8 p.m., join us for a night of “Festivus” fun that focuses on community connection and lighthearted traditions.

Expect a “Festivus pole,” a station for the “airing of grievances” (perfect for venting about those no-see-ums), and even a “feats of strength” arm-wrestling station. If you prefer something more relaxed, we will have a shell-decorating craft table and live music by island favorite Danny Morgan.

The Details:

• Attire: Wear your favorite holiday festive gear or an ugly sweater for a chance to win prizes.

• Food & Drink: ACT Catering and Boards will serve sliders and hot dogs. Tickets include one meal and one drink. A cash bar featuring a themed specialty cocktail will also be available.

• Cost: $10 for members | $20 for nonmembers.

This is a casual, affordable way to gather with neighbors before the New Year. Thank you to R.L.R. Investments for sponsoring our 2025-26 season and making these programs possible.

Secure your tickets now at www.sanibelcommunityhouse.net or call 239-472-2155.