Cape Coral City Council postponed a decision March 5 on whether to move forward with a plan to build what would be Florida’s tallest American flagpole, despite an offer from an unnamed donor to cover the remaining fundraising gap.
City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn told council members that a donor had pledged to contribute the balance needed to complete the project if the city’s Raise the Flag campaign continues through July 3. Still, several council members said they were unwilling to approve construction until the full $420,000 cost of designing, fabricating and installing the 250-foot flagpole is secured.
Council members ultimately pulled the item from the agenda and voted 5-3 to reconsider the proposal at their next regular meeting March 25.
Ilczyszyn proposed the flagpole project last year as part of local celebrations for the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026. At the time, council members agreed the effort would be funded entirely through private donations.
As of March 5, the campaign had raised $270,611 of the $420,000 needed.
“Even if you have somebody else who says they will contribute the remaining balance, for me it’s an absolute no until we get the $420,000,” Mayor John Gunter said during the meeting.
Ilczyszyn said the unnamed donor requested that the city continue its fundraising campaign until July 3, after which the donor would cover any remaining balance.
“We got it in writing,” Ilczyszyn said. “There was an offer. There was a response. … A pledge for the balance is in receipt of the city.”
Cape Coral launched the Raise the Flag fundraiser to build Florida’s tallest free-standing flagpole near the Veterans Memorial Monument at Bernice Braden Park.
Cape Coral government
The city also faces a tight timeline if it wants the flagpole completed by Independence Day. Contractor Dynamic South Inc. estimates the project would take about 15 weeks to fabricate, ship and install once construction is approved.
“If we want to get it done by Independence Day, we have to get it started,” council member Bill Steinke said. “And we have the money to get it started. That’s where I stand on it. I have full faith and confidence that the dollars will be raised based on our citizenry and the way they feel about our veterans.”
Steinke demonstrated his support by writing a $1,000 check during the meeting and handing it to the city clerk.
According to the city’s Raise the Flag fundraising website, that donation qualifies for the Liberty Bell Partner level, which includes name recognition on the dedication monument and a commemorative coin. Sponsorship levels range from a $250 Freedom Coin Supporter to a $10,000 Stars & Stripes Sponsor, which includes premier logo placement at the city’s Red, White & Boom Fourth of July event, VIP tickets and other benefits.
City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner said he could draft a more formal agreement with the unnamed donor before Council’s March 25 meeting.
If approved, the flagpole would be installed in Bernice Braden Park at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge.
More information about the fundraising campaign is available at CapeCoral.gov/RaiseTheFlag.