Category: Island Update

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.

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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.

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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!

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A new Mexican restaurant and bar, Casa Blanca, has opened in south Fort Myers after a $1.2 million facelift. The restaurant is located at 2210 Ortiz Ave., in the former Stevie Tomato’s Sports Page space.

Casa Blanca is owned by Omar Aguirre, who also owns the popular El Burro Loco Mexican restaurant in Fort Myers. Aguirre said he wanted to create a more upscale Mexican dining experience with Casa Blanca.

The restaurant features a modern interior with a large bar, a dining room with booth seating, and an outdoor patio. The menu features traditional Mexican dishes with a modern twist, as well as a wide selection of tequilas and margaritas.

Entrees start at $16 and go up to the $30 range. A house margarita costs $12.

Casa Blanca is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Aguirre said he is excited to bring Casa Blanca to south Fort Myers and he hopes the restaurant will become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

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The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) announced today that its staff has had a record number of nighttime sea turtle encounters on Sanibel as of August 11, 2023. In total, SCCF staff have logged 406 nighttime turtle encounters this year, surpassing the previous record of 387 encounters set in 2021.

The increase in nighttime turtle encounters is likely due to a number of factors, including the warmer weather, which encourages sea turtles to nest earlier in the season. Additionally, the SCCF has been working to increase public awareness of sea turtle nesting and to encourage people to report turtle sightings.

“We are thrilled to see such an increase in nighttime turtle encounters,” said SCCF Executive Director Dan Brown. “This is a sign that our conservation efforts are working and that we are helping to protect sea turtles on Sanibel and Captiva.”

SCCF staff use a variety of methods to track sea turtle nesting activity, including nighttime patrols, aerial surveys, and citizen science programs. When SCCF staff encounter a sea turtle nesting on the beach, they take a number of steps to protect the turtle and its eggs, including:

• Placing a protective fence around the nest to deter predators
• Marking the nest with a flag so that it can be easily identified
• Monitoring the nest for signs of hatching

Once the eggs hatch, SCCF staff help the hatchlings safely make their way to the ocean.

The SCCF is committed to protecting sea turtles on Sanibel and Captiva. By increasing public awareness and working to protect sea turtle nesting sites, the SCCF is helping to ensure the future of these amazing creatures.

If you see a sea turtle nesting on the beach, please report it to the SCCF by calling 239-472-2329. Your report can help SCCF staff protect the turtle and its eggs.

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose this week to just under 7%, the highest level since 2008. This is the third consecutive weekly increase, and it is a major setback for would-be homebuyers who are already facing affordability challenges due to a shortage of homes for sale.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is now 6.96%, up from 6.90% last week. A year ago, the rate averaged 5.22%. This means that a borrower with a $200,000 mortgage would pay about $1,500 more per month than they would have a year ago.

The high mortgage rates are being driven by a number of factors, including inflation, rising interest rates, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Inflation is at a 40-year high, and the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates in an effort to cool it down. This is putting upward pressure on mortgage rates, as well as other types of loans. The war in Ukraine is also contributing to inflation, as it has disrupted global supply chains.

The high mortgage rates are making it more difficult for people to afford to buy a home, especially in markets where home prices are already high. This is likely to lead to a slowdown in home sales in the coming months. It could also lead to an increase in foreclosures, as some homeowners may be unable to afford their mortgage payments.

If you are thinking about buying a home, it is important to be aware of the high mortgage rates and how they will impact your monthly payments. You may want to consider waiting until mortgage rates come down before you make an offer on a home. You may also want to consider a shorter-term mortgage, such as a 15-year mortgage, which typically has a lower interest rate than a 30-year mortgage.

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