Category: Island Update

On May 31, the League of American Bicyclists renewed Sanibel’s Gold-level designation for the prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community award. By achieving this recognition, Sanibel joins a network of 506 communities across the United States dedicated to promoting safer streets and enhancing bicycling opportunities for everyone. This award acknowledges the city’s unwavering dedication to developing transportation and recreational resources that cater to residents of all ages and abilities, while simultaneously encouraging healthier and more sustainable modes of transportation.

The Bicycle Friendly America program serves as the benchmark for communities striving to enhance cycling conditions. In a recent update, the league incorporated equity and accessibility criteria into the program’s application process, underscoring the significance of constructing low-speed and low-stress bike networks and ensuring inclusivity.

This round of awards highlighted 45 new and renewing recipients, solidifying the presence of Bicycle Friendly Communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Sanibel’s attainment of the Gold-level BFC award reflects its substantial investments in bike education programs, regular bike events that promote cycling as a preferred choice, implementation of pro-bike policies, and the development of robust bike infrastructure. The city’s commitment to improving conditions for all bicyclists is commendable and sets a commendable example for others to follow.

The conceptual plans for Fort Myers’ inaugural pocket park, located at 2208 First St. adjacent to The Franklin Shops, have received unanimous approval from the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners.

Once the site of a historic wood-frame building constructed in 1900 but later demolished in 2019, the property held a rich history of housing various restaurants, the most recent being the beloved Ida’s Bon Appiteatery.

With redevelopment of the site not foreseen in the near future, AMA First Capital LLC, the property owner, decided to lease the land to the CRA for the development of a public amenity. The CRA Commissioners granted a 15-year lease for the property on December 14, 2022.

The current focus for the vacant lot revolves around transforming it into a green space in downtown Fort Myers. The envisioned features include a charming paver patio, inviting public seating areas furnished with tables and chairs, well-placed lighting, a public water fountain complete with a pet dish, and an existing mural adorning the neighboring building.

Furthermore, the pocket park will incorporate decorative and secure fencing, creating a defined area for temporary vendors. Meticulously planned landscaping is also in the works, with the inclusion of canopy-shading palm trees and various other plant species. A dense fence vegetation will be incorporated along the back wall to provide privacy and block off the parking lot situated at the rear.

It is important to note that the current design is still in the conceptual phase, and some concerns remain regarding the accessibility to adjacent buildings. Commissioners Darla Bonk and Liston Bochette have raised questions about the site’s stormwater drainage and other related issues.

The project’s funding will be facilitated by a generous private donor, Debora Gillen, a resident of Fort Myers. Gillen has previously supported the community by funding planters along First Street and is now contributing to the development of the pocket park.

Moving forward, the next steps for the project include naming the park, collaborating with the Naples Botanical Garden to select appropriate plant species, and presenting the plan to the city’s beautification and historic preservation committees in June.

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Tin City, the cherished shopping and dining destination nestled in Old Naples, is joyfully celebrating its momentous 100th year with a grand reopening celebration taking place over the course of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Having endured a temporary closure due to the unfortunate combination of Hurricane Ian’s aftermath and an unforeseen car collision, Tin City now seeks to formally commemorate its revival by welcoming the community back with open arms.

Immersed in an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, the festivities promise an unforgettable experience for all attendees. The enchanting melodies of live music will resonate throughout the venue from noon to 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, while Sunday’s schedule extends from noon to 5 p.m.

A diverse array of attractions awaits visitors, ensuring there is something to captivate every guest. Delight in the creativity showcased at the art show, be transformed by whimsical face painting, indulge your sweet tooth with cotton candy, and sway to the hypnotic beats of steel drums. For a truly unique experience, encounter gentle alligators during the petting session, capture memorable moments in a cutting-edge 360 photo booth, and admire the sleek beauty of luxury cars on display. Adding to the festive ambiance, local officials will grace the event with their presence, lending an air of distinction and community support.

Expressing his anticipation, Craig Ekonomos, the manager of Tin City, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to reopen Tin City and extend a warm welcome back to our beloved community. Countless hours of hard work have been invested to ensure that Tin City emerges even more remarkable than before, and we are eager to showcase the exceptional transformation to everyone.”

Come one, come all, and join the celebration of Tin City’s grand reopening. Let us unite in creating cherished memories, reveling in the enduring spirit of this remarkable establishment that has left an indelible mark on Old Naples for the past century.

The main office of Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has officially reopened at 2406 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel. After undergoing construction since November, the bank had been utilizing its board room as a temporary branch. This arrangement was made necessary after Hurricane Ian caused minor water damage to the building, leading to the bank providing banking services in the parking lot for seven weeks. In 2019, the bank purchased the building with the intention of relocating its original main office from 2475 Library Way on Sanibel. Benchmark Construction undertook an extensive renovation, and the doors were opened in January 2021.

The newly reopened location boasts several features, including a two-lane drive-thru, a drive-up ATM, a board room, solar panels, and an electric car charging station. Additionally, the bank has named the community room in honor of the late bank director Ken Nirenberg, who passed away in 2020. This room, known as the Ken Nirenberg Community Room, will be available for not-for-profit and community organizations to use free of charge.

Currently, seven out of the bank’s eight locations are open for business. However, the Periwinkle branch at 1019 Periwinkle Way suffered significant storm damage and is expected to reopen in early 2024. In Fort Myers, the McGregor branch at 15975 McGregor Blvd. is temporarily operating out of a mobile banking unit due to severe flood damage to the existing building.

The state of Florida has purchased conservation easements on 38,848 acres of agricultural property from a dozen landowners for $97 million, including land in Charlotte and Polk counties.

Under the agreement, the landowners will retain ownership and continue working the land while selling the development rights to the state. The aim of the deal is to ensure the long-term protection of the land, wildlife, and agriculture.

The sale was announced and facilitated by SVN/Saunders Ralston Dantzler of Lakeland, which brokered the sale of 18,427 acres for a total of $45 million.

The properties involved in the deal are located across the state, including a 2,846-acre parcel in Charlotte sold for $8.6 million, and a 33,634-acre parcel in Polk sold for $10.7 million. Saunders represented the owners of the Polk property.

The purchases were approved by the board of trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, responsible for conserving and protecting Florida’s natural resources.

Conservation easements are agreements that protect land from future commercial or residential development while allowing landowners to continue using and working on the property. According to Saunders, these easements provide long-term guidance and protection for the land.

Critics argue that easements restrict future property owners from utilizing the land for potential development and financial gain.

Saunders, a former legislator and advocate for conservation, emphasizes the need for Florida to balance development to accommodate the state’s growing population while preserving natural spaces and agricultural land. He views conservation easements as effective tools for protecting critical habitats, wetlands, and wildlife from development.

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The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company concluded its four-part 2023 Speaker Series with a comprehensive analysis of data predicting the future population and job growth in Southwest Florida.

Titled “The Past, Present and Future of Southwest Florida,” the session held on April 4 delved into two decades of population data. Between 2000 and 2010, the region comprising Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties experienced a 30% growth. This growth rate decreased to 20% from 2010 to 2020.

Across these five counties, the three largest age groups are 65 to 74 years old, 55 to 64 years old, and 75 to 84 years old, respectively.

Recognizing the region’s aging population, educational institutions like FGCU, along with universities, colleges, technical centers, and high schools, are implementing academic and training programs to equip graduates with the skills needed for future job opportunities. This includes an emphasis on healthcare to meet the increasing demand resulting from the aging population, as well as construction projects for senior communities and medical facilities. Moreover, the influx of retirees and seniors moving to the region, coupled with the aging of the current population, creates additional job opportunities in the hospitality industry, including restaurants, retail, and entertainment.

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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.