THE WATERFRONT IS EVOLVING

Cape Coral waterfront growth to watch

Major public and private investments can shape boating access, dining, neighborhood identity and future demand. Here is what is complete, underway and still conceptual.

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Official conceptual nighttime rendering of the proposed Cape Coral Bridge replacement — Official conceptual rendering · Final design may change

PHASED REBUILD / FUNDING NOT FULLY SET

Cape Coral Yacht Club rebuild

The City’s multi-part plan includes a rebuilt marina and docks, relocated boat ramp, seawall replacement, fishing pier, pool, community center, beach support buildings and parking garage. Marine Phase 1 received a limited notice to proceed in December 2025. In May 2026, Council directed staff to advance Phase 2, but the City said a full funding source had not yet been determined. Fishing-pier design is complete; on August 24, 2026, the City reported that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was awaiting completion of federal wildlife consultations before finalizing its review.

Pool, beach and recreation concept. An elevated view shows the proposed waterfront pool, beach edge, palm landscaping, shaded seating lawns and the main recreation building. — **Pool, beach and recreation concept**An elevated view shows the proposed waterfront pool, beach edge, palm landscaping, shaded seating lawns and the main recreation building.City conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Marina and dock concept. This overhead rendering shows the proposed marina edge with new slips, boats, walkways, lighting and landscaped separation from the parking area. — **Marina and dock concept**This overhead rendering shows the proposed marina edge with new slips, boats, walkways, lighting and landscaped separation from the parking area.City conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Fishing-pier deck and pavilion concept. The pier rendering shows a wide deck, railings, lighting and a roofed pavilion extending over the Caloosahatchee River. — **Fishing-pier deck and pavilion concept**The pier rendering shows a wide deck, railings, lighting and a roofed pavilion extending over the Caloosahatchee River.City conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Fishing pier after Hurricane Ian. The City photo looks from shore along the remains of the storm-damaged pier, showing missing decking and exposed piles that led to the full-rebuild plan. — **Fishing pier after Hurricane Ian**The City photo looks from shore along the remains of the storm-damaged pier, showing missing decking and exposed piles that led to the full-rebuild plan.Official City project photo documenting existing storm damage.

Rebuilt fishing pier — northeast view. This City rendering shows the proposed T-shaped fishing deck, two shade pavilions, railings and the long connection back to Yacht Club Community Park. — **Rebuilt fishing pier — northeast view**This City rendering shows the proposed T-shaped fishing deck, two shade pavilions, railings and the long connection back to Yacht Club Community Park.City conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Rebuilt fishing pier — view from the park. This City rendering looks from the shoreline toward the proposed pier, with a straight accessible approach leading to the wider fishing platform over the river. — **Rebuilt fishing pier — view from the park**This City rendering looks from the shoreline toward the proposed pier, with a straight accessible approach leading to the wider fishing platform over the river.City conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Harbormaster, pool, garage and other plan sets reached 100% design milestones
Marine Phase 1 covers docks, ramp and seawall work; later phases remain funding-dependent
The Boathouse restaurant is planned to return under the concept
Pier permitting remains separate from the larger park and marine-improvement permits

Official project source →Official fishing-pier timeline ↗Watch the City’s Yacht Club animation ↗

APPROVED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT · LONG-TERM

Seven Islands / Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina Village

This approximately 47-acre northwest Cape Coral plan along Old Burnt Store Road envisions a waterfront resort district with a hotel, residences, custom homes, restaurants, public marina, lagoon and public community spaces. City Council approved the development agreement in January 2026.

Waterfront resort and marina overview. Twin residential or hotel towers frame a marina arrival, with boats, a waterfront promenade and lower amenity buildings at the canal edge. — **Waterfront resort and marina overview**Twin residential or hotel towers frame a marina arrival, with boats, a waterfront promenade and lower amenity buildings at the canal edge.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Seven Islands canal-front master-plan view. The aerial concept looks along the canal frontage and shows a continuous line of mid-rise buildings, marina slips, waterfront residences and the adjoining mangrove preserve. — **Seven Islands canal-front master-plan view**The aerial concept looks along the canal frontage and shows a continuous line of mid-rise buildings, marina slips, waterfront residences and the adjoining mangrove preserve.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Proposed waterfront fish houses. Three-story waterfront residences are shown with deep balconies, rooftop terraces and individual boat slips directly in front of the homes. — **Proposed waterfront fish houses**Three-story waterfront residences are shown with deep balconies, rooftop terraces and individual boat slips directly in front of the homes.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Waterfront residence and dock plan. This top-down concept shows a private residence layout beside the canal, including outdoor living areas, a pool or water feature and a boat moored at the dock. — **Waterfront residence and dock plan**This top-down concept shows a private residence layout beside the canal, including outdoor living areas, a pool or water feature and a boat moored at the dock.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Resort lagoon and activity area. A broad lagoon anchors the resort concept, with a sandy edge, paddle activities, umbrellas, palms and a hotel or residential tower beyond. — **Resort lagoon and activity area**A broad lagoon anchors the resort concept, with a sandy edge, paddle activities, umbrellas, palms and a hotel or residential tower beyond.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Waterfront dining and public gathering space. The rendering shows outdoor restaurant seating beneath shade structures and palm trees, with the lagoon and taller resort buildings in the background. — **Waterfront dining and public gathering space**The rendering shows outdoor restaurant seating beneath shade structures and palm trees, with the lagoon and taller resort buildings in the background.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Full resort, marina and lagoon panorama. This wide master-plan view places waterfront homes, a central lagoon, marina basins and larger resort buildings between the existing neighborhood and preserved land. — **Full resort, marina and lagoon panorama**This wide master-plan view places waterfront homes, a central lagoon, marina basins and larger resort buildings between the existing neighborhood and preserved land.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Canal-side building panorama. A long waterfront elevation shows lower residences nearest the canal with larger hotel or condominium buildings arranged behind them. — **Canal-side building panorama**A long waterfront elevation shows lower residences nearest the canal with larger hotel or condominium buildings arranged behind them.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Lagoon beach and recreation concept. The ground-level view shows the lagoon’s sandy recreation edge, paddle activities, palm landscaping and a tower overlooking the water. — **Lagoon beach and recreation concept**The ground-level view shows the lagoon’s sandy recreation edge, paddle activities, palm landscaping and a tower overlooking the water.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Aerial view toward existing northwest Cape Coral. This aerial concept follows the proposed canal-front buildings and marina toward nearby neighborhoods, with undeveloped preserve visible on the opposite side. — **Aerial view toward existing northwest Cape Coral**This aerial concept follows the proposed canal-front buildings and marina toward nearby neighborhoods, with undeveloped preserve visible on the opposite side.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Residences viewed from the canal. The canal-level scene shows mid-rise waterfront buildings, docks, landscaping and a powerboat passing the proposed development. — **Residences viewed from the canal**The canal-level scene shows mid-rise waterfront buildings, docks, landscaping and a powerboat passing the proposed development.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Future Gulf Gateway sales gallery concept board. The board combines exterior and interior concepts for a future sales gallery, including a waterfront building, reception space, furnished living area and presentation room. — **Future Gulf Gateway sales gallery concept board**The board combines exterior and interior concepts for a future sales gallery, including a waterfront building, reception space, furnished living area and presentation room.Developer-supplied conceptual rendering; final plans may change.

Waterfront hotel, condominiums, apartments and custom homes are proposed
Restaurants, a tiki venue, public marina and kayak access are envisioned
No firm groundbreaking or completion date has been announced

Official project source →Developer project website ↗

COMPLETE & OPERATING

Bimini Square

The roughly $100 million mixed-use project at 440 Cape Coral Parkway E is complete. The City marked its opening in February 2026. It combines 218 residences, Lee Health outpatient services, restaurants, structured parking and waterfront marina activity.

Residential buildings around the central courtyard. This closer aerial concept shows the two residential wings, structured parking, courtyard and Bimini Basin immediately behind the site. — **Residential buildings around the central courtyard**This closer aerial concept shows the two residential wings, structured parking, courtyard and Bimini Basin immediately behind the site.Developer rendering republished by the City; the completed project may differ.

Bimini Basin Seafood building concept. The streetside rendering shows the low waterfront restaurant building with palms, a covered entrance and blue roof accents. — **Bimini Basin Seafood building concept**The streetside rendering shows the low waterfront restaurant building with palms, a covered entrance and blue roof accents.Developer rendering republished by the City; the restaurant is now operating.

Restaurant and dock frontage concept. The water-level view shows outdoor dining along the basin with the residential building rising behind it and boats at the docks. — **Restaurant and dock frontage concept**The water-level view shows outdoor dining along the basin with the residential building rising behind it and boats at the docks.Developer rendering republished by the City; the completed project may differ.

Lee Health outpatient entrance concept. The rendering shows Lee Health’s ground-floor corner entrance beneath the residential floors at a palm-lined intersection. — **Lee Health outpatient entrance concept**The rendering shows Lee Health’s ground-floor corner entrance beneath the residential floors at a palm-lined intersection.Developer rendering republished by the City; Lee Health is now seeing patients.

Rooftop pool and cabana concept. This amenity rendering shows a glass-edged rooftop pool, sun deck, shaded bar pavilion and white cabanas. — **Rooftop pool and cabana concept**This amenity rendering shows a glass-edged rooftop pool, sun deck, shaded bar pavilion and white cabanas.Developer rendering republished by the City; the completed amenity may differ.

Early Bimini Square master-plan rendering. The developer’s aerial concept shows the mixed-use waterfront buildings, internal plaza, marina edge and surrounding Bimini Basin neighborhood. — **Early Bimini Square master-plan rendering**The developer’s aerial concept shows the mixed-use waterfront buildings, internal plaza, marina edge and surrounding Bimini Basin neighborhood.Developer conceptual rendering; the completed project may differ.

Bimini Basin Seafood & Cocktails includes 42 dock-and-dine slips
Healthcare, dining and residences are now operating
The project anchors renewed investment around Bimini Basin

Official project source →Developer project website ↗

CONCEPT / NEGOTIATION STAGE

Bimini East redevelopment

The City’s public project page still describes the original approximately 22-acre Bimini East site, while newer 2026 Council discussions cited a broader roughly 33–34-acre concept near Bimini Basin and Four Freedoms Park. The proposed phased investment was described as about $500 million over a potential 10-year buildout. Acreage, scope and timing remain unsettled until an executed agreement or updated City project page is published; negotiations are not final construction approval.

Bimini East project-area aerial. The oblique City image outlines the redevelopment area between Coronado Parkway and Cape Coral Parkway East, immediately beside the Bimini Basin waterfront. — **Bimini East project-area aerial**The oblique City image outlines the redevelopment area between Coronado Parkway and Cape Coral Parkway East, immediately beside the Bimini Basin waterfront.Official City project-area image.

Cleared Bimini East parcels. The straight-down aerial shows the cleared development blocks, existing streets and the canal-front homes along the western edge of the project area. — **Cleared Bimini East parcels**The straight-down aerial shows the cleared development blocks, existing streets and the canal-front homes along the western edge of the project area.Official City site image; negotiated redevelopment plans remain conceptual.

Draft parcel and land-use plan. The official draft plan numbers the individual parcels and uses a color legend to identify public, commercial and redevelopment areas around the basin. — **Draft parcel and land-use plan**The official draft plan numbers the individual parcels and uses a color legend to identify public, commercial and redevelopment areas around the basin.Official City planning diagram; boundaries and final plans may change.

Two nationally branded hotels and a 45-slip public marina are proposed
Retail, dining, medical/office space and 700–900 residences are envisioned
Plans include a reimagined Four Freedoms Park, bandshell and public safety components

Current image status: the City’s public gallery currently shows the site, cleared parcels and draft land-use plan. Architectural building renderings for the negotiated 2026 proposal have not yet been published there.

Official project source →

Information, schedules and published image galleries reviewed September 14, 2026. No newly published material change or additional reusable project image was found this week. Project scope, approvals, funding, images and dates can change; use the linked official project pages for the latest updates.

REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Cape Coral Bridge Replacement Project

The current concept replaces both existing spans with two new three-lane bridges, providing six travel lanes in total plus shared-use paths and improved approaches. It is a Lee County project and remains subject to final design, permitting, acquisition, procurement, funding and construction decisions.

Schedule conflict: the project FAQ still says construction was planned to begin in 2026, but the newer August 2026 delivery schedule extends final design and procurement through a January 2028 letting or Board milestone. This guide follows the newer schedule; a final construction start has not been published.

PLANNED CAPACITY

Two new three-lane spans

The project concept provides three lanes in each direction, wider shoulders and a shared-use path for people walking and bicycling.

TRAFFIC DURING CONSTRUCTION

Four lanes planned to remain open

The project team says the first new bridge would temporarily carry two lanes each way while existing spans are removed and the second bridge is built.

CURRENT DELIVERY TARGET

Construction procurement in 2027–28

The official DRIVE schedule dated August 2026 shows final plans targeted in 2027, procurement through late 2027 and a letting/Board milestone around January 2028.

COMPLETION OUTLOOK

Early 2030s planning horizon

Public reporting has referenced completion around 2032. That is an estimate—not a guaranteed opening date—and will depend on the final contract and field conditions.

Official August 2026 Cape Coral Bridge replacement project delivery schedule — **August 2026 project-delivery schedule**The published timeline shows redesign and permitting through 2027, followed by procurement and a January 2028 letting or Board milestone.Official project schedule; every date is an estimate and remains subject to change.

Official bridge project website ↗Current project schedule ↗Project FAQ ↗

CITY UTILITIES EXTENSION PROJECT

Water, sewer and irrigation are moving north

The UEP replaces reliance on shallow wells and septic systems by extending centralized potable water, sanitary sewer and reclaimed irrigation service. Road reconstruction and stormwater work are also commonly part of the project.

CONNECTION STAGE

North 1 West

The City reports substantial completion and says Notices of Availability have been sent. Developed properties receiving availability notice must confirm their connection deadline and hook-up requirements.

Official North 1 status ↗

CONSTRUCTION

North 1 East

Notices to Proceed began in December 2025. The City posts an approximate two-year construction duration with anticipated completion by the end of 2027.

Official North 1 status ↗

DESIGN / BIDDING

North 3

As of this review, the City still lists design at 75% and bidding as anticipated around summer 2026, with construction forecast by the end of 2026 and completion forecast at the end of 2028. No later bidding or completion milestone is posted, so these remain projections.

Official North 3 status ↗

STUDY

North 4, 5 & 6

Future northern areas remain in study and planning stages. Boundaries and anticipated completion dates should be checked by property address using the City’s future-UEP tool.

Find a future UEP area ↗

BUYER DUE DILIGENCE

What to verify before closing

Current or future UEP area and the parcel-specific project status
Levied, prepaid, financed, pending or projected assessments
Annual assessment amounts shown on the property tax bill
Notice of Availability date and remaining connection deadline
Utility hook-up, meter, deposit and septic-abandonment permits
Open permits, completed inspections and restoration work

Call 833-CAPE-UEP Cape Coral UEP information ↗Official connection process ↗

Status, connection fees and the 180-day Notice of Availability deadline reviewed September 14, 2026. City schedules, boundaries, costs, financing and assessment amounts are subject to change. Verify the specific parcel directly with the City before relying on this summary.

PERSONAL WATERFRONT HELP

How could a waterfront project affect your property search?

Ask Steve to discuss access, nearby construction, potential upside, uncertainty and the resale questions worth asking in each project area.

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