December 14, 2023

November 9th, 2023 “Community Social Event” Featuring 7 Islands Development

(EVENT PHOTOS - CLICK HERE)

Dear Sponsors and Guests,

Our Community Social held on November 9th at Cass Cay Restaurant in Burnt Store Marina attracted a sell-out crowd of 230 people.

Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina Village and Forest Development secured the Platinum Sponsorship of the event and revealed for the first time an extensive portfolio of concept renderings (Click Here) for all to see. Peter Baytarian, Managing Partner of Forest Development presented the concept renderings with a short verbal outline of key features and elements which is included in the link provided.

Experience Real Estate Group partnered with Arnold Roberts Signature Homes to secure as an Event Sponsor.

Tranquility Lakes RV Resort sponsored the dining table flower arrangements. Buy FL Now Group at RE/MAX Trend Realtors, Cape Coral Grove, Cape Premier Realty, Gulf Real Estate LLC, RE/MAX Sunshine and The Smith Team Katie Sylva all supported the event sponsoring tables.

City of Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter, City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn, Economic & Business Development Manager T. Sharon Woodberry, Councilmembers Keith Long, Patty Cummings, Dan Sheppard and Bill Steinke attended and supported the event with City Staff.

Special thanks to local band “Endless Summer” duet, Erin Cruise and Ken Uhlmann for their performance and the NWNA Community Social Committee - Ralph Huber, Communications Chair and Treasurer- Cathy Eybs.

Shared Vision for 7 Islands and Beyond

Prior to introducing our sponsors and guests at the event, I shared a thought from the podium: "It was nice to bring all affected parties and end users of this development project together in a social environment to view the conceptual renderings for the first time and share reactions and discussions. Please take this unique opportunity to get to know one another and share time".

The 7 Islands Project work plan includes some attributes worth pointing out.

• The Community Island positioned next to Tropicana Park creates an expansion of the “greenspace” by combining the activity use and open spaces of each location.

• The neighboring “Public Lagoon” connectivity to the “Community Island” further expands the recreational use for residents and creates a new waterfront beach destination.

• The high-density construction of residential condominiums and apartments is limited to five (5) islands and encompasses the commercial village center area featuring waterfront dining, walking paths, and dock accessibility.

• Integration of expanded transient docking opportunities for boaters, bike parking, golf cart (minimum speed vehicle) parking areas, kayak docks, and walking paths met our demand for an “automobile-free” destination.

If you are new to the community, the idea for this project started over a decade ago. Preparation for a visioning and conceptual design effort for the Northwest Cape area began when The City hosted a three-day design charrette in November 2015. The City of Cape Coral contracted with a consulting firm (CPH, Inc.) to conduct interviews with City officials, City staff, members of the NWNA, and Civic and business groups. The final consultant report “Cape Coral Florida Northwest Cape and Seven Islands Vision Plan” was dated October 31st, 2016 and submitted to the City Council.

On November 14, 2016, City Council voted to accept the final consultant report dated October 31st , 2016, for the Vision Plan for the Northwest Cape and Seven Islands; approving design concept D-1 as the basis for the work plan; directing staff to proceed with the recommended work plan under Resolution 206-16. The City of Cape Coral approved the sale of Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina Village on February 20, 2023. The NWNA Summary -7 Islands Survey captured the responses of 61% of the members published in the consultant’s report. Park Use, waterfront dining, and single-family homes were the most requested great place-making attributes on the 2016 Survey.

Beginning in August 2023, DRC-Committee Chairman, John Smart and I were granted permission by the developers to join the forum at the 7 Islands Development meetings. Participants included City Staff, Developers Representatives, Engineering firms, Consulting firms, and Architects. My initial feelings entering our first meeting were “guarded” or “on high alert”. Today, I see true collaboration and mutual respect by all parties to adhere to and accept governance of the D-1 Conceptual Design. The complexity of this waterfront project has challenged the best of the best. So many hard-working individuals have come together to get this right. Maintaining the balance of nature, working

through countless obstacles fueled by overcoming challenges. The will to finish. Great achievements are never easy when you pursue a dream. We all share that vision of the Southwest Gulf Coast. It is what brought us here.

Later that evening, at the Community Social, I migrated back to my table and had a quiet moment alone. I looked up as Peter Baytarian from Forest Development joined me. My wife soon joined in the conversation. We shared how much we were in awe of this project. We could not believe how much life the rendering portfolio provided. He ended with a profound message: “This project is the most magnificent development opportunity in the entire United States”."!

Connectivity to Cape Coral Grove Community Center and Matlacha As Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina Village comes to life to anchor the Northwest waterfront, Cape Coral Grove- Town Center on Pine Island Road will become one of the primary destinations in Cape Coral for

shopping. We would like to work with The City to establish a Trolley Bus to connect Gulf Gateway Resort with Cape Coral Grove which is exactly 3.5 miles apart. Service to rebuilding Matlacha Restaurants could also be proposed along with water taxis. If we stay together, we can achieve anything. Looking forward to seeing you all at our next meeting in late winter 2024.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy Holiday Season!

Jerry Smith, President/ NWNA