12th annual Catch the Vision event in Cape Coral

Southwest Florida’s largest city continues its growth with new places to live, work, eat, and play. The city hosted its 12th annual Catch the Vision event to give neighbors a look at new developments.

It’s no secret that Cape Coral is booming. Bill Johnson Jr., born and raised in Cape Coral, has seen it happen with his own eyes.

“I can tell you from growing up in the city from what it was 20-30 years ago, to what it is now it’s a completely different city. Just with all of the development that we’ve seen over the last couple of years,” Johnson Jr. said.

That growth was celebrated at Monday’s Catch the Vision event which gives Cape Coral residents and real estate professionals a first look at new developments coming to the city. One highlight was The Cove at 47th, a mixed-use housing and retail development.

“It’s going to be kind of the focal place of downtown Cape Coral, go to,” Johnson Jr. said.

Also discussed were plans for a new fire station, a Mellow Mushroom, a new building for the Cape Coral animal shelter, a high-tech addition to the police department, and much more.

Realtor Charlene Lehne said these plans help her promote and market living in Cape Coral.

Cape Coral resident Steven Marsino and his wife are retired but said the Cape is growing so quickly they attend every year just to stay in the loop.

“It’s always interesting to see what they’re doing. Especially when they’re doing road construction. So we need to figure out how we can get around in the town. But it’s nice to see that the city’s building and growing,” Marsino said.

About 600 people attended Monday’s event. Some admitted all the growth does come with drawbacks like added traffic, but they still wouldn’t live anywhere else.