Cape Coral discussing plans to renovate downtown area

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The Cape Coral monument greets drivers entering the city on Cape Coral Parkway by the Caloosahatchee River. The city has been named the No. 1 boomtown in the U.S. by SmartAsset, a personal finance website. (By Sanibel sun at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

On Thursday, Cape Coral is taking a step away from the usual strip malls and duplexes and is looking to evolve the area into a more modern downtown.

With the help of developers, an empty lot is planned to be renovated on 47th Terrace to set a precedent towards revamping the area, and they are excited to see what other changes the city has planned.

“Well discussing the vibrancy of the downtown I think that it is vital for the health of the city or community,” Kathy Phyfer, a Cape Coral resident said.

Right now the Cape is looking to add more restaurants, and multi-use housing in the area, but they need developers to make it happen.

A study shows the Cape needs to add about 1200 units per year to support the growing population. Just recently the city changed the rules a little to progress development to alter building densities and height.

People say if it means more jobs and not making them trek to Fort Myers, they are not opposed.

“I like what I’m seeing as far as bringing people in and business and I do think you need to strike a balance…you know we need some jobs over here but we don’t need all the influx of traffic to go with that,” Cape Coral resident Theresa Henderson said.

The workshop will be today at the Vinyard Church on 47th Terrace from 8 a.m. — 12 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12.

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