In May 2024 the Beacon published my article describing the development activity contemplated for the northern half of the Lee County / Cape Coral section of Burnt Store Road. This month I turn to the southern half of the that section of road from Gator Slough south to Pine Island Road, including a few developments east and west of the road. This corresponds roughly with the section of Burnt Store Road which has already been expanded to four lanes as of 2024.
Seven Islands / Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina Village:
The Seven Islands are a very unique 47 acre property west of Old Burnt Store Road on the North Spreader Waterway between Tropicana Parkway and Embers Parkway. Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina, LLC was selected by the City of Cape Coral to purchase and develop the Seven Islands properties in November 2022. The concept includes a hotel, condominiums, apartments, a public marina and boat slips, restaurants and much more – https://www.gulfgatewayresortmarinavillage.com/. Final Site Plan and closing of the transaction has been reported as potentially happening in 2024. The concept diagrams also show waterways and marina facilities on the eastern side of the islands and low rise buildings on Old Burnt Store Road.
Illustration 1 – Seven Islands / Gulf Gateway Concept (northern half only)
New City of Cape Coral Parks – Crystal Lake and Tropicana:
The City of Cape Coral has recently approved two new parks in the North West Cape. Both are close to Old Burnt Store Road.
The more northerly one is Crystal Lake Park, to be located on the south side of Caloosa Parkway, west of Old Burnt Store Road and close to Charlotte Harbor. The approximately 80 acre property will have parking, extensive walking trails, a lookout hill, a children’s playground and a kayak and boat launch with access to the North Spreader Waterway. Groundbreaking for the $10 million project was on February 23, 2024 though as of April 15 there was little evidence of progress.
Tropicana Park will be located west of the intersection of Tropicana Parkway and Old Burnt Store Road, immediately north of the Seven Islands proposed development. It is approximately seven acres in size and will contain playgrounds, boat and kayak launches, parking and walking trails. It will also be host to the Cape Coral Rowing Club. The project has been funded and approved by Cape Coral, but is awaiting Army Corp of Engineers approval.
Pine Island Road and Burnt Store Road Intersection:
Shadroe Lake / Residence at Hibiscus Gardens is a 3.3 acre parcel at 218 Burnt Store Road between the Blue Water Coach Homes and the Burnt Store Boat Ramp. There has been a proposal for a 48 unit four story residence on this site.
On the south-west corner of Burnt Store Road and Pine Island Road a group has assembled 35 acres surrounding the First Baptist Church of Matlacha, including the former Tropicaya store. Likewise, another group has assembled 15 acres on the south-east corner of Burnt Store Road and SW Pine Island Road.
Cape Coral Grove:
A huge new mixed residential, hotel, office and retail development called Cape Coral Grove is being planned for a 131 acre property at 2301 SW Pine Island Road, one mile east of Burnt Store Road and just west of the German American Social Club (and Bubba’s Roadhouse). It is described as an outdoor town center concept. A design plan shows over 1,000 parking spots – https://capecoralgrove.com/.
SW Pine Island Road:
A 2023 Fox4 News report stated that there are more than five thousand apartment units either under construction or in the planning phase in the 4-and-a-half-mile stretch of SW Pine Island Road between Santa Barbara Blvd. and Burnt Store Road.
On the south side of SW Pine Island Road, across from Coral Grove, there are two other large assemblies of land. Lee Memorial Health has acquired 77 acres, which demonstrates excellent forward planning, and Wal-Mart has purchased over 30 acres.
These developments are just the tip of the iceberg for what is expected in the southern Burnt Store Road area over the next twenty years.
Sources: Lee County Property Appraiser website; Lee County Economic Development GIS Hub; Cape Coral Zoning Map; Cape Coral Planning and Zoning Board Minutes; Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association website, various commercial realtor listings, developer websites and local news reporting.