March 11, 2026 Development Update

There are many Cape Coral residents who publicly wish for a Whole Foods store to come to the city, and they may have found their wish-granting genie in the team behind Cape Coral Grove.  On February 17th, three site plans were submitted to the city by the developer.  One is for an indoor/outdoor restaurant, another for 12 single-story buildings, and the third is for a 35,500 sq ft grocery store.  Online notes by city reviewers of the submissions refer to architectural needs for a Whole Foods grocery store.  So, we are assuming a Whole Foods store is in the works at that location.   Coral Grove will have a number of commercial buildings surrounding the perimeter of the project area.  Constructing a Whole Foods store there would put a smile on a lot of faces in Cape Coral. 

City Council will hire consultants to come up with development plans for a property known as “Academic Village”, on the northwest corner of Kismet and Del Prado, and for the 318-acre city-owned property just north of Kismet on the west side of Burnt Store Rd.   As part of the proposal, the consultants will invite residents and stakeholders to participate in design charettes to give their input on opportunities for commercial and recreational development. The goal is to generate new private investment, expand the city’s commercial tax base and create an identity for the city.  We are looking forward to our members having the opportunity to participate and shape the future of the Northwest Cape.  Stay tuned for more details.

 A change in Island Pearl plans
The long-planned Island Pearl project at the northwest corner of Burnt Store Rd and Pine Island Rd is in for some changes. A plan was recently submitted by the developer to build a hotel and fast-food restaurants.  Previously, the plan was for a multiple-use commercial structure anchored by a Dunkin restaurant on the Burnt Store frontage.  This is in the early stages of the change process so all we know now is it’s out with the old plan and in with something new.  No word yet on the size of the proposed Island Pearl hotel. The developer is currently focused on the construction of Victory Park, a massive mixed-use project next to the VA Center off Diplomat. That project includes offices, retail, apartments, and a 125-room Wyndham Trademark hotel. 

A picture of the Wyndham hotel proposed for Victory Park

Hudson Creek development clears land
Speaking of growth in the Northwest Cape, Forestar Development has been clearing land for the Hudson Creek project covering about 1700+ acres running from Burnt Store Road all the way over to Nelson Rd. between Wilmington and Caloosa Parkways.  The developer is paying for the extension of city utilities to cover the project. Beyond extending utilities, this project will have a major impact on the city as it will bring commercial entities to Burnt Store Rd., 3,500 residences, and some other features we will explain at a later date.  It’s so big, it will almost be like a city within a city.                            

The view from Chiquita Blvd. looking east to Nelson Rd. at the Hudson Creek Project                                                                                  

Proliferation of convenience/gas stores in planning north of Pine Island Rd.
Convenience stores with multiple gas pumps seem to be the new thing for multiple intersections north of Pine Island Rd.  A 7/11 recently opened on Diplomat Parkway. and Chiquita Blvd., while a Circle K convenience/gas store has been proposed for the northwest corner of Tropicana and Chiquita, where it will sit across from a long-standing 7/11, a Dollar General, and Mariner High School.  Also, there are unnamed convenience stores with 10 gas pumps proposed at the northeast corners of El Dorado N. and Diplomat and of Santa Barbara and Diplomat.  Developers only invest in areas where they believe a market exists.  Perhaps that’s an indication of the growth we’ve had and will continue to have in the Northwest.

Forest Development submitted their pre-application plan for Gulf Gateway’s Island 7 on February 17th to get the ball rolling towards construction permits.  It covers Phase 1 which is utilities, drainage and roadway infrastructure for Island 7.  Their meeting with the city is to discuss the plan and permitting.  Island 7 will be the first place for construction of buildings  to take place and will include the community center with restaurant, splash pads, dog park and other amenities.

And don’t forget The Shops at Del Mar, on the north side of SW Pine Island Rd across the street from WMF Boat Sales.  It is quickly filling up store fronts with a variety of businesses adding to what we’ve been looking forward to for some time … more choices closer to home.  The same developer is building a similar concept called the Shops at Del Sol.  Located west of Mel’s Diner on Pine Island Rd., it’s about three times the size of Del Mar.