Agenda Full Package (PDF)

Committee of the Whole · 2026-07-29 · agenda

[1015 Cultural Park Boulevard, Cape Coral, FL 33990 (Council Chambers for meeting)] The Committee of the Whole agenda for July 29, 2026, includes a discussion item regarding the Bimini East Redevelopment. This is an informational item only, with no action requested at this meeting. The project is proposed by Crown Development Inc., as the managing member of Bimini Basin Redevelopment Company LLC. The plan aims to redevelop the Bimini East area into a vibrant destination with mixed-use buildings (3-5 stories), including up to 900 dwelling units, 250 hotel rooms, 130,000 sq ft of retail/dining space, 55,000 sq ft of office space, up to 210,000 sq ft of medical space, a 60-slip marina, and four parking garages. The estimated investment is $500,000,000. Key milestones are outlined for 2026-2028, with project completion estimated by 2035. The developer highlights extensive experience in mixed-use, multifamily, hotel, and infrastructure projects, with significant past development in Cape Coral totaling over $250,000,000. Public comment from Bimini View Condominium Association and Sunset Towers Condominium Association expressed positive experiences with Crown Development on the Bimini Square project, noting their professionalism, transparency, and community engagement, and satisfaction with the project's outcome. [Approximate 34-acre site; case RCR25176KMR] The Bimini East project is a proposed master-planned community in Cape Coral, Florida, aiming to redevelop approximately 34 acres into a mixed-use waterfront district. The project includes approximately 900 housing units (apartments and rowhouses), two hotels with about 250 rooms, 250,000 sq ft of medical office space, 60,000 sq ft of general office space, 130,000 sq ft of retail (including food, beverage, and entertainment), two branch banks, over 3,000 parking stalls, classrooms for higher education, a 45-slip marina, a reshaped Four Freedoms Park with a waterfront amphitheater, and various open spaces. The estimated total project investment is $500 million. The developer is Bimini Basin Redevelopment Company, LLC, with lead developer Crown Development Inc. The project is planned to be zoned through a PUD (Planned Unit Development). Key dates include a projected start for horizontal improvements in November 2026 and completion of vertical construction by August 2035. The project aims to create a walkable destination with Bahamian-themed architecture, a central canal avenue, tropical landscaping, and consistent lighting. Community benefits include replacing blighted areas, establishing a fresh image for downtown, expanding housing and medical services, and creating a community gathering area. The project is aligned with CRA redevelopment objectives for revitalization and mixed-use development. The City of Cape Coral is undertaking an Areawide Neighborhood Roadway Speed Limit Study to improve neighborhood safety and multimodal mobility. The study, completed by Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., evaluated 40 local residential streets and found that they meet FDOT criteria for a reduced speed limit of 25 mph. The City Council is considering three implementation options for sign replacement, with costs ranging from $49,038 to $57,719. A Phase II study for major and cut-through roadways is also proposed. Public feedback was gathered through a workshop and online poll, with residents generally favoring lower speeds and spot treatments. This document outlines the City of Cape Coral's strategy for unlicensed contractor enforcement, following the preemption of local contractor licensing by Florida House Bill 735 in 2023. The city's local licensing program was sunsetted, and enforcement responsibilities largely shifted to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Cape Coral now focuses on verifying state licenses during permit applications and referring unpermitted code violations to DBPR. The city also conducts public education on licensing risks. The document discusses the potential reactivation of a Licensing Investigator classification, detailing salary ranges, associated costs for equipment and personnel, and potential funding mechanisms like a surcharge on building permits. In Fiscal Year 2025, the City of Cape Coral issued 30,057 building permits.