Nicole KikkertCAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Cape Coral residents are voicing concerns about the possibility of a waste facility being built on the Academic Village development, at Kismet Parkway East and Del Prado Boulevard.

Bob Rubino, who has lived in Cape Coral for 40 years, said the area is no longer rustic and that homeowners would be concerned about the impact of such a facility.

“It is pretty built up here. This is not a rustic area anymore. And, you know, so homeowners would be concerned about that,” Rubino said.

The proposed site is located across from the Yellow Fever Creek Preserve, which Rubino noted is home to important wetlands.

“We have a preserve here. There’s a lot, you know, there’s important wetlands in the area,” he said.

On Wednesday, council member Rachel Kaduk posted on Facebook, warning about the possibility of a dump site being built at Academic Village. According to a presentation from August 2026, the Cape Coral City Council shared that the property is partially zoned for industrial use, which allows for the possibility of a waste facility.

However, this zoning does not automatically mean one will be approved.

Rubino also expressed concerns about pollution and its potential effects on the community.

“Well, you know, everyone would worry about property values and how it would affect their neighborhoods, but what about pollution?” he said.

The City of Cape Coral said it is looking into the situation. Attempts to reach Kaduk for comment have been unsuccessful.

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