Category: Island Update

After announcing his presidential candidacy, Gov. Ron DeSantis wasted no time getting back to work and enacting new laws. Among the 27 bills he signed the day after were significant tax relief measures amounting to $2.7 billion and stricter regulations on cracked windshield claims. The tax bill, H.B. 7063, introduced provisions for two 14-day sales tax holidays for back-to-school and hurricane preparedness. It also benefited the agricultural industry by prohibiting special assessments on ag lands unless the revenue is designated for debt service and establishing a permanent sales tax exemption on cattle fencing materials. Additionally, the bill provided permanent tax exemptions on various items like adult diapers, incontinence products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, diapers, wipes, shoes, strollers, cribs, and children’s clothing. H.B. 7063 further reduced the business rent tax by one percentage point to 4.5% starting in December. Another bill signed, S.B. 1002, closed a loophole allowing lawyers and repair shops to exploit window replacement claims. It disallowed assignment of benefits on automobile glass claims and prohibited insurers from directing claims to specific vendors. S.B. 1002 was part of a larger effort for tort reform during the recent legislative session.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a $6.2 million grant to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. This grant will reimburse the costs of debris removal on Fort Myers Beach. The debris removed included various types such as construction and demolition debris, concrete debris, hazardous household waste, vegetative debris, sand, and sandy construction and demolition debris from roads and public property.

The public assistance program offered by FEMA grants financial aid to state, tribal, and local governments, as well as specific private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship. This assistance aims to support communities in their response to and recovery from significant disasters or emergencies.

After Hurricane Ian left only a pile of rubble at the original Liki Tiki BBQ restaurant on Fort Myers Beach, owner Gordon Stojkoski purchased a long-abandoned building off the island for $3.6 million, which has now become the new Liki Tiki BBQ. The newly opened restaurant, formerly known as Skip One Beach Seafood and The Sandy Butler, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. Despite the challenges faced by Fort Myers Beach, the Stojkoski family has revived the brand in this new location, offering the same menu featuring smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork, grouper sandwiches, conch fritters, coconut shrimp, and beach bread, with prices ranging from $12 to $30 and open from 11. a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

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In the wake of Hurricane Ian, the aftermath has revealed vast expanses of exposed soil in various landscapes. These sunlit areas provide ideal conditions for numerous opportunistic species to sprout and thrive. As spring progresses, homeowners are noticing the emergence of unfamiliar plants in their yards, prompting the question, “What is this growing in my yard?” Fortunately, the following plants, which have been observed across the entire island, are native species that offer ecological benefits and can enhance the value and diversity of your landscape.

MOONFLOWER

Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) is a rapid-growing vine belonging to the morning glory family. It features heart-shaped leaves and can extend its stems to a length of 15 feet or more. The plant’s fragrant, white flowers unfurl in the evening and continue to bloom throughout the night, attracting moths and other nocturnal pollinators.

CRESTED SALTBUSH

Crested saltbush (Atriplex cristata) is typically found in dunes and salt marshes along most of Florida’s coastal regions. With its low, trailing branches, this plant can grow up to 2 feet in height. Its foliage possesses a distinctive silvery-green hue, which adds visual interest to the landscape.

SWEETSCENT

Sweetscent (Pluchea odorata) is a native wildflower that naturally thrives in marshes and coastal hammocks throughout Florida. During the summer, dense clusters of sweet-smelling pink flowers adorn this plant, attracting butterflies and bees.

These native plants not only adapt well to the local environment but also play a vital role in supporting wildlife and preserving the natural ecosystem. By incorporating them into your landscape, you can enhance the beauty and ecological value of your property.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported on May 3 that a total of 20 loggerhead sea turtle nests have been recorded on the islands since April 22. The first nest was discovered by SCCF volunteers on Captiva, marking the beginning of the nesting season.

Unfortunately, due to recent extreme high tides and winds, some of the newly formed nests were washed over. However, the SCCF staff clarified that this doesn’t necessarily mean a complete loss. There is still a possibility that some of these nests may produce viable eggs, and the team will continue to monitor them closely in the coming weeks.

Carley Nolan, a sea turtle technician, stated, “While wash overs can result in the inundation of egg chambers, it is possible for some of these nests to still have viable eggs, and we will continue to monitor them over the next several weeks. Although the start of the nesting season has been unpredictable, we are excited to see what the rest of the season holds.”

It is worth noting that April 22 marks the third-earliest recorded loggerhead nest laid on Sanibel or Captiva. The earliest documented nest was on April 15 in 2020, followed by April 16 in 2018.

Due to the $20 million renovation project of The Naples Players, Downtown Naples’ Fourth Avenue South will be closed on Monday and is expected to reopen in January 2024. The Naples City Council unanimously approved the closure after discussing the impact of the construction on this prime location.

The closure will affect the stretch of Fourth Avenue South between Sixth and Eighth streets, and the intersection of Fourth Avenue South and Seventh Street South will be completely closed. However, the parking garage to the east of The Naples Players will remain open to the public, as well as the Inn on Fifth and Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood and Crab restaurant to the west.

During the construction period, the crane will be situated on Fourth Avenue as The Naples Players’ location on Fourth Avenue and the need to keep alleyways open leave no other option. The northwestern part of the building along Fourth Avenue will be demolished and reconstructed.

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May 6, 2023 – May 7, 2023,

7:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Brave New Pops 3 – THE ORCHESTRA Starring Former Members ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA

Get ready for an electrifying musical experience as the Southwest Florida Symphony, the fourth oldest orchestra in Florida and the only professional orchestra in Lee County, joins forces with THE ORCHESTRA Starring Former Members ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA! In this thrilling modern-day classical music concert, the final Brave New Pops concert of the symphony’s 62nd season, prepare to be blown away by unparalleled symphonic rock performances. Join us on May 6th and 7th at two amazing venues for an unforgettable show featuring the greatest hits from albums like Strange Magic, Do Ya, Don’t Bring Me Down, Evil Woman, Livin’ Thing, Turn to Stone, Sweet Talkin’ Woman, Telephone Line, Ma-Ma-Ma Belle, Mr. Blue Sky, and Roll Over Beethoven. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime musical event!

Concerts will be held at:

May 6 at 7:30 p.m.: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
May 7 at 4 p.m.: Charlotte Performing Arts Center, Punta Gorda

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June 16, 2023 – June 18, 2023, 4:00 Pm to 1:00 Am

Come and be part of the 5th annual Captivaville Songwriters Weekend held at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa! This music festival is the highlight of Captiva Island’s summer season, showcasing the best local singer-songwriters. 72 hours of non-stop entertainment, under the sun, with amazing live music and the ultimate summer party experience. Don’t miss out on the biggest event of the season!

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The City of Cape Coral will hold a public ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Cape Coral Shared-use Nonmotorized Trail on May 12 at 10 a.m. at the northwest corner of Kismet Parkway and Northwest Ninth Avenue. This SUN Trail Network connects Burnt Store Trail to Del Prado Boulevard via a 6.5-mile-long paved trail for bicyclists and pedestrians. Phase One, a 3.5-mile-long segment along Kismet Parkway from Nelson Road to El Dorado Boulevard, is complete and marks the occasion. Phase Two will begin in 2025 and add another 3 miles to the segment, while Phase Three will connect Del Prado Boulevard to the city limit at Northeast 24th Avenue. The Florida Department of Transportation awarded the city a $1.8 million grant to design and engineer this project in 2017.

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The Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board has recommended an 18-month extension for The Irving Downtown apartment complex in downtown Fort Myers, pushing the start-of-construction date to May 31 and completion date to December 31, 2025. The 12-story, 98-unit complex, located in the historic River District, was granted a $4 million tax increment rebate by the CRA Board of Commissioners in 2021 and will feature one- and two-bedroom apartments with amenities. The request for extension is due to delays in converting concrete poles and hanging wires to underground utilities. Developer Rebekah Barney has expressed concerns about mobilizing for construction without a clear timeline for the utility conversion. The extension recommendation will be presented to the CRA commissioners for consideration.