Category: Island Update

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.

Lee County has announced another set-out deadline for some additional unincorporated areas to place remaining Hurricane Ian debris at the curb.

The following areas are asked to place residential storm debris at the curb by Feb. 13:

• Pine Island north of the Pine Island Road/Stringfellow intersection. (Matlacha and St. James City are unaffected.)
• Waterway Estates
• Fort Myers Shores
• Iona/McGregor (north of Summerlin Road)
• Island Park
• Cypress Lake
• Captiva

Please note, this collection is for residential storm debris only and does not include debris from vacant land, commercial sites or agricultural properties. Those entities must pay to remove materials or self-haul materials to an appropriate site. Go to www.leegov.com/solidwaste for more information.

Lee County Solid Waste has resumed regular yard waste collection in all county-served areas. Residents are asked to use containers, paper lawn and leaf bags or clear plastic bags to set vegetative material – including palm fronds – curbside on their regular collection day. Black plastic bags and bundled yard waste will not be collected with curbside yard waste at this time. Those items will be collected at a later date by the county’s storm-debris contractor using specialized equipment.

Lee County has collected more than 5.8 million cubic yards of debris to date. Hurricane Ian left behind an estimated 12 million cubic yards of debris countywide, including debris in all six municipalities.

Residents can track debris collection progress, learn how to stack debris and gather other Hurricane Ian debris information at www.leegov.com/storm/debris. Information about normal curbside pickup of garbage, recycling and yard waste can be found at www.leegov.com/solidwaste

The Paradise Southwest Florida Coast offers a bustling calendar of events throughout the year, catering to a range of interests, including socializing, fitness, dining, and the arts. As the rest of the country stays inside during the winter, February in Paradise Coast boasts pleasant weather and outdoor events, making it the perfect time to attend festivals and special happenings. We have put together a guide featuring 6 exciting events taking place this February in the Paradise Coast area. Get the latest details and plan your next adventure

• Beach Boys at Artis—Naples – 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples, FL 34108 – Relive the golden era of music with the legendary Beach Boys at Artis—Naples on February 26, 2023. The iconic group will take the stage at Hayes Hall for two unforgettable shows. Immerse yourself in the timeless classics that have defined a generation, all within the cultural hub of Naples. Artis—Naples is not only a home to the Naples Philharmonic, but also presents a diverse line-up of concerts and performances throughout the year. Make sure to check their calendar for more exciting events. Click here
• Music in the Garden – 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples, FL 34112 – Experience the magic of nature and music at the Naples Botanical Garden, where the charming event series “Music in the Garden” is held. Take a stroll through the lush gardens, located conveniently near Naples homes for sale, and enjoy musical performances throughout the year. On February 11, 2023, the sounds of Patchouli and Terra Guitarra will fill the air. With a concert ticket included in the price of admission to the garden, you can make a day of it and explore the stunning flora before the show. Click here
• Famous Couples of Collier County – 3331 Tamiami Trl. E., Naples, FL 34112 – Spend Valentine’s Day in a unique way at the Famous Couples of Collier County event at the Collier Museum at Government Center on February 14, 2023. Join Curator of Education Elaina Guyre as she takes you on a tour of Paradise Coast’s rich history, showcasing the famous couples who have left their mark on the area. Discover the love stories behind the names that have shaped the region. Click here
• Ave Maria Brews & BBQ Festival – 5076 Annunciation Circle, #104, Ave Maria, FL34142 – Of course, you’re never far from your next delicious meal or distinctive, locally-produced craft beer on the Paradise Coast, especially with events like the Ave Maria Brews & BBQ Festival coming up on February 18, 2023. An annual favorite near Ave Maria homes for sale, this event features the region’s best BBQ in one location, a diverse selection of craft beers, and plenty of fun activities for the whole family. Click here
• Love the Arts Festival – 180 S. Heathwood Dr., Marco Island, FL 34145 – The vibrant arts scene of the Paradise Coast is behind many of the events that you can enjoy throughout the year, including the Love the Arts Festival, which takes place around the corner from Marco Island homes for sale. Held at the Marco Island Historical Museum by the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts on February 18, 2023, this event showcases the amazing work of up to 20 talented local artists, with all proceeds from the event going toward scholarships for art students. Click here
• Edison Festival of Light 5K – 2310 Edwards Dr., Fort Myers, FL 33901 – Join the excitement of the Edison Festival of Light 5K, a unique 5K run near Fort Myers homes for sale on February 18, 2023. Whether you’re striving for a personal record or just looking for a fun way to support a good cause, this 5K race is not to be missed. It takes place during the Grand Parade, which attracts over 100,000 spectators, so you’ll have a lively crowd cheering you on every step of the way. Don’t miss this opportunity to run a 5K with enthusiastic support. Click here

South Seas Island Resort owner Timber Resorts plans to open the hotel at the Captiva resort, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian, by September, CEO Greg Spencer said during a Jan. 18 Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce business luncheon.

According to CEO Greg Spencer

• Immediate plans for the resort include stabilizing facilities before reopening the hotel and swimming pool.
• The Resort expects to break ground on our new south aquatic amenity, Captiva Landing, mid- to late-2023
• Depending on permitting timing, in late 2023 they plan to start work on the Beach House on the north end of the resort, which will be located at Sunset Beach and will feature casual gulf-front dining.
• By summer 2023 we expect to have the Pointe Restaurant, re-branded to Redfish Grill re-opened.
• A new Scoops and Slices outlet will take over the kids’ camp location. By fall 2023, the newly concepted golf course is expected to be operational and ready for play.
• The Resort plan on rolling out our Club Captiva amenity access program by mid-2023. Club Captiva will be the only way to access amenities at the resort going forward.

Click here to read the entire article

City of Sanibel A & AC Beach Parking Permits FOR SANIBEL RESIDENTS AND SANIBEL PROPERTY OWNERS ONLY now available at the Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road.

City of Sanibel B & BC Beach Parking Permits FOR NON-RESIDENT/NON-PROPERTY OWNERS will be available for purchase beginning Tuesday, January 31st, 2023.

Starting in February, a limited number of beach accesses will be available.

The VEHICLE REGISTRATION OR LEASE AGREEMENT FOR EACH VEHICLE FOR WHICH A PERMIT IS BEING PURCHASED must be presented at the time of purchase.

Acceptable proof of residency or property ownership are:

• Driver’s License with a Sanibel address
• A valid government issued photo identification card with a Sanibel address
• Lee County Voter Registration Card with a Sanibel Address
• Tax Bill with the Homestead Exemption for the Sanibel property, the property owner owns
• Tax Bill with the Property Ownership on Sanibel
• Notarized Declaration of Domicile Listing a Sanibel Residence
• Beach parking Permits may be purchased via cash, Master Card, American Express, Discover, Visa or check.

CLICK HERE[ application/pdf ] [ application/pdf ]TO ACCESS CITY OF SANIBEL BEACH PARKING PERMIT APPLICATION. To save you time, we strongly recommend you bring your completed application with you.