Luxury apartments, a parking garage, and office space; that is what is planned for a more than $100 million project in Cape Coral.
The Cove at 47th groundbreaking is set for Wednesday, across from Corksoakers restaurant.
Construction crews will tear down the gates surrounding the lot. The city says that simple act will create a more youthful feel here. The belief is that by developing the space into a modern-day playground, young professionals will see Cape Coral as a place where you live, work, and play.
For years, the lot between Cape Coral Parkway and SE 47th Terrace in Cape Coral has sat empty. Many have called it wasted potential. That changes Wednesday when developers will break ground on the Cove at 47th.
“It’s a luxury apartment and retail, bringing that live work play type of environment to south cape,” said Sharon Woodbury, economic and business development officer with the City of Cape Coral.
A total of 327 luxury apartments will fill the space, along with dining and entertainment options. The goal is to attract a younger demographic.
People in the area said they’re all for the new crowd.
“If they’ve got enough money to be able to afford a luxury apartment, I feel that they’re gonna behave yourself, you know, not like these college students that come down here,” said Sandra Provencher, of Cape Coral.
“You know young, old, people are people. I don’t care who they are, as long as they work and take care of stuff and act like human beings. Everybody’s welcome,” said Scott Bary, of Cape Coral.
That doesn’t mean the city is trying to push out the families and retirees.
“We want to keep our residents here. This is a source of entertainment that, for the most part, our residents had to travel across the bridge to have,” said Woodbury.
With neighbors staying on the Cape, the city hopes the Cove at 47th becomes an entertainment hub open for everyone throughout Southwest Florida.
Not everyone is excited about what the new construction will mean for the area.
“You can’t even drive anywhere now, it’s 45 minutes to go three miles. The lights are for 10 minutes. My chihuahua, when he sees a red light, he goes and lays in the back of the truck because he knows how long they are,” said Scott Bary, of Cape Coral.
“I don’t know what they’re going to do about the infrastructure and the roads, to be honest with you. I know that’s a problem with bringing more and more businesses,” said Sandra Provencher, of Cape Coral.
The City of Cape Coral knows the traffic flow is a problem, so the city’s public works department is working to develop a plan.
“Construction is never easy. You’re looking at the end goal of what we can bring to the south Cape. We will try to keep the line of communication open and working with the establishments that are downtown,” Woodbury said.
While some are still upset about the new development, “I think we need more apartments like we need a hole in the head. How about some roads or a place to put all these people,” said Bary.
Others are excited to see the Cove at 47th come to life.
“It’s empty land. They may as well use it for something and something good, you know, bringing the restaurants and stuff in,” said Provencher.
The groundbreaking ceremony is set for Wednesday at 10 a.m. If all goes according to schedule, the Cove at 47th will be done in September 2024.