The Northwest Wire, May - September 2013, Issue 13

Serving residents and property owners West of El Dorado
Blvd. and North of Pine Island Road to the city limits.
The President’s Perch
“Together We’re Better”
May-September 2013
Issue 13
Results from our 2013 membership survey conducted from May 28 through June 21
continue to reinforce our ongoing need to monitor, evaluate and engage in matters that
impact our quality of life and property values. While we live in the world of electronic
communication, we will continue to nurture individual relationships with decision-makers
on a one-on-one basis.
By the end of this year, we expect that a Plan Development Project (PDP) will be
submitted for the Resort at Tranquility Lake, an upscale recreational vehicle project. The
PDP will be assessed by our Development Review Committee (DRC) with initial feedback to
the Department of Community Development. The NWNA will also address both the
Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council during scheduled hearings.
Since July, Burnt Store Centre (the Texaco station at the corner of Tropicana Parkway
and Burnt Store Road) has been under the ownership of a limited liability company in
Bradenton, FL. Our Development Review Committee will provide updates as information
becomes available.
Stella Peters, President
Working Together Is Success!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Dana Brunett, Economic Development Director, addresses membership on September 19.
2
Sirenia Vista Park Enhancements
3
Neighborhood Beautification
4
Canalside Calendar, Notification of By-Law Change, NWNA Secretary Needed!
5
Hoo’s Who in the Hood, Crabby Corner Recipe, Median Beautification, Wise Words
6
Page 2
The Northwest Wire
May-Sept. 2013, Issue 13
Dana Brunett, Cape Coral’s Economic
Development Director, Shares Current
and Future Growth Opportunities!
With the composition of the City being 90% residential and 10% commercial, Dana
Brunett advised that this imbalance required three approaches to make the city competitive:
(1) increase the commercial tax base, (2) attract job creators to the Cape, and (3) increase
the availability of goods and services to the residents. With the job history in the city being
construction and real estate, he advised that being competitive required that the job market
not only be diversified but also entice employers. He emphasized that not only is it
important to retain jobs but also to attract new job opportunities using the incentive
package for Hertz jobs as an example.
Major economic development efforts were addressed:
the upscale RV development
(Resort at Tranquility Lakes), the Burnt Store Road corridor, the Pine Island Road corridor,
Diplomat Commerce Park near the VA clinic along with the Concourse at Cape Coral (171
acres at Del Prado and Kismet).
Discussions are currently underway with an Investment Group’s proposal for an Assisted
Living Facility and Alzheimer’s unit along with a waterfront restaurant seating 150
including an outside deck with boat ramp at the Burnt Store Boat Ramp.
There is also interest in mixing National Chains with Mom and Pop operations. The
possibility of a mid-Cape CRA at Viscaya is being considered as is the improvement of the
current commercial areas around the city. Other opportunities include a super Walmart,
Sam’s Club, and a bank, retail, and gas station behind Publix at Coral Shores Shopping
Center. Public-private partnerships are also being assessed.
In closing, our Economic Director advised that it is the residents who are the best city
ambassadors in promoting the many positive aspects of life in Cape Coral. He is available
at www.bizcapecoral.com or by phone at 239-574-0444 and is especially interested in
hearing from individuals who are relocating a business to the Cape.
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The Northwest Wire
May-Sept. 2013, Issue 13
Sirenia Vista Park Enhancements
Since March 25, 2013, Sirenia Vista Park has been closed for shoreline improvement made
possible by a $191,721 Lee County Tourism Development Grant. Enhancements involved
re-sloping, rip-rap, a concrete cap in popular fishing areas, a retaining wall in erosion areas,
along with native plantings, most of which were completed by HONC Construction by
September 20, 2013.
The City’s Public Works Maintenance Division
also removed invasive trees and cut the shoreline
slope allowing for the improvement of the entire
3,025 feet of shoreline However, torrential
rains on September 23 and 24 caused some
erosion damage that will be repaired after our
wet season. We also lost some desirable trees
that were in the way of re-sloping the shoreline
that was unavoidable to provide a safe slope. To
mitigate this loss, the Parks Department has
planted 29 trees with 19 more trees on the way
including the replacement of a mulberry tree. Bahia sod will also be placed on the top of the
shoreline berm. The gravel road will be surfaced with new stone. It is anticipated that the
Park will be completed and re-opened by the end of October 2013.
Source: Oliver Clarke, BSME, Certified Energy Manager (CEM®), Engineer IV, General Support Services
Division, City of Cape Coral
Photos: Courtesy of Barbara Jameson, Cape Manatee Connection
Page 4
The Northwest Wire
May-Sept. 2013, Issue 13
Neighborhood Beautification
NWNA’s Median
Maintenance
Patrol spreads
mulch on our
Tropicana Pkwy.
medians on
September 30.
Early Monday morning, Russ and Bev Moody, Barb Wenz, Judy Harvey and Paul Klann
met at Forestry Resources to pick-up 50 bags of mulch. The caravan arrived at the median
sites to spot the bags and meet up with the rest of the volunteers who brought rakes and
gloves to spread the mulch on our trees and plantings.
Cathy Eybs, our Webmaster, was on the scene with her trusty camera to document the
event.
Nine NWNA volunteers completed the job in one hour. Many passing motorists slowed
down to thank us for the work being done to beautify the medians. Jerry Wells drove by
and advised us that he was the person cutting our medians. He was thanked profusely for
the job he was doing to support our median maintenance. The wonderful turnout of
volunteers also included Ruth Beggs, Shari Bornfreund, Ed Morris and Fred Vogelpohl.
Access https://nwnaenvironmentcommittee.shutterfly.com/ to view the PhotoShow.
To learn more about the Environmental Committee, please contact our Chairperson,
Judy Harvey, at [email protected].
Page 5
The Northwest Wire
May-Sept., 2013, Issue 13
Notification of By-Law Change
November 7, 2013
Annual Meeting and Officer Elections
2014 Association Meeting Schedule
January 24th--General Meeting
March 20th—General Meeting
September 18th—General Meeting
November 6th--Annual Meeting and
Officer Elections
Meeting Location
Christa McAuliffe Charter Elementary
School Cafeteria
Currently, Article IV.3.1.1
states that “Dues collected after
Nov. 1 shall apply to the following calendar year.”
NWNA’s Board of Directors
recommends that “Dues for first
time members collected from
September 1 through December
31 of the calendar year shall
apply to the following calendar
year.” This revision will add
value to our annual membership
drive that will occur September 1
through December 31. A vote
on this revision will be taken
during our November 6 meeting.
2817 SW 3rd Ln.
Doors open at 6:30pm
Meeting from 7pm to 8:30pm
NWNA’s Board of Directors meets one week
prior to Association meetings.
Members
interested in attending should e-mail
[email protected] one week prior to the
board meeting.
Informational Meetings will be scheduled as
needed on critical issues affecting our
northwest community.
Secretary Needed!
The NWNA needs a volunteer to
serve as Secretary to record the
minutes of meetings for Board and
Association meetings.
Please contact [email protected]
for more information.
Page 6
The Northwest Wire
President
Stella Peters
[email protected]
Vice President
Rich O’Donnell
[email protected]
Treasurer
Fred Vogelpohl
[email protected]
Secretary
Volunteer Needed.
Development Review Committee
Rich O’Donnell, Chairperson
[email protected]
Environment Committee
Judy Harvey, Chairperson
[email protected]
Information Technology Committee
Cathy Eybs, Chairperson
[email protected]
Marine Committee
Suspended
Membership Committee
Deb Cullen
[email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.nwcape.com
Mailing Address: PO Box 411
Cape Coral, FL 33993-0411
May-Sept. 2013, Issue 13
Parks Committee
Terry O’Donnell, Chairperson
[email protected]
Median beautification on Jacaranda
Parkway planted, maintained and
paid for by neighbors in the area.
Photo submitted by Denis Catalano,
NWNA member.
Baked Crab Casserole
1 pound backfin crab meat
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
1/2 pint sour cream
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
Soften cheese to room temperature.
Mix ingredients in the order listed.
Add only 1/4 cup of grated cheese to mixture.
Bake at 350° degrees for 45 to 50 minutes.
Serve with crackers.
No one cares how much you
know, until they know how much
you care.
… Don Swartz
Maryland Crab and Seafood
Recipes from
www.crabplace.com.
The Northwest Wire is a publication of the
Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association, Inc.