After months of back and forth over the future of the Cape Coral Yacht Club, city leaders say the estimated $225 million cost to rebuild the popular waterfront destination may be paid solely by Cape Coral residents.Plans call for a new community center, parking garage, pier and a resort-style swimming pool. The city is also working on replacing the seawall and docks as part of the first phase of improvements.To finance the project, the city may take on debt and implement a 3% public service tax on utilities, a move that could increase residents’ monthly bills.Visitors and residents say they are eager to see progress but understand rebuilding will take time.“It’d be nice to see the final results soon,” said Harold Foster of Cape Coral.Mark Stevens, visiting from Wisconsin, said the damage has dramatically changed the landscape.“When you look up, it’s almost to the point where you don’t see it anymore,” Stevens said.Morgan Becraft, visiting from Connecticut, said she was surprised by the scope of the project during her visit.“It’s a little unsettling,” Becraft said. “The hurricanes and fires — it’s not something that can be rebuilt overnight. Rome wasn’t built in one day.”Despite concerns about potential tax increases, some residents say they simply want the yacht club restored.“I’m just hoping it doesn’t disrupt how we can come here and have a good day,” Foster said. “We come here a lot. We enjoy it.”The City of Cape Coral said the next steps in the rebuilding process will be discussed at a future public meeting.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

After months of back and forth over the future of the Cape Coral Yacht Club, city leaders say the estimated $225 million cost to rebuild the popular waterfront destination may be paid solely by Cape Coral residents.

Plans call for a new community center, parking garage, pier and a resort-style swimming pool. The city is also working on replacing the seawall and docks as part of the first phase of improvements.

To finance the project, the city may take on debt and implement a 3% public service tax on utilities, a move that could increase residents’ monthly bills.

Visitors and residents say they are eager to see progress but understand rebuilding will take time.

“It’d be nice to see the final results soon,” said Harold Foster of Cape Coral.

Mark Stevens, visiting from Wisconsin, said the damage has dramatically changed the landscape.

“When you look up, it’s almost to the point where you don’t see it anymore,” Stevens said.

Morgan Becraft, visiting from Connecticut, said she was surprised by the scope of the project during her visit.

“It’s a little unsettling,” Becraft said. “The hurricanes and fires — it’s not something that can be rebuilt overnight. Rome wasn’t built in one day.”

Despite concerns about potential tax increases, some residents say they simply want the yacht club restored.

“I’m just hoping it doesn’t disrupt how we can come here and have a good day,” Foster said. “We come here a lot. We enjoy it.”

The City of Cape Coral said the next steps in the rebuilding process will be discussed at a future public meeting.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.