FOOTBALL, BUT IT’S NOT GOING TO BE A WASHOUT. DETAILS ON THE WEEKEND COMING UP IN JUST A BIT. >> WE’RE GETTING OUR FIRST LOOK AT THE 7 ISLANDS DEVELOPMENT IN CAPE CORAL, HOTEL’S RESTAURANTS, NEW HOUSING, AND MORE ARE PLANNED HERE. THE 7 MAN MADE ISLANDS ARE LOCATED IN THE RED. YOU SEE THERE IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE CITY, SOUTH OF TROPICANA PARKWAY. THIS IS WHAT THE ISLANDS WILL PLAY RIGHT NOW. NOTHING BUT DIRT AND TREES IN SOME BUSHES. GOOD EVENING. I’M KELLY BYRNE AND I’M PETER BUSCH. THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A DECADE, BUT THE CITY IS NOW TAKING. >> CONCRETE STEPS TO START CONSTRUCTION TONIGHT. EDWARD FRANCO REPORTS FROM THE WEST CAPE. >> THESE ARE THE 7 ISLANDS OFF BURNT STORE ROAD IN CAPE CORAL. THEY’RE OVERGROWN AND EMPTY NOW. BUT THE CITY PLANS TO TURN THESE INTO A DEVELOPMENT TO LIVE WORK AND HAVE FUN. IT’S BEEN NEARLY IN THE WORKS FOR OVER A DECADE NOW. THE CITY COUNCIL IS WORKING ON A PLAN TO ALLOW FLEXIBLE CHANGES SO THAT THE PROJECT CAN FORWARD. I MADE TO BE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. IT THAT’S FACT THAT TRAVEL A LITTLE BIT FURTHER TO GO ANYWHERE. BUT UP. >> YOU KNOW, IT’S NICE. PASS LEN SKI LIVES IN FRONT OF THE 7 ISLANDS AND WELCOMES THE PROPOSED PROJECT. BUT HE HAS SOME WORRIES. I THINK IT’S IT’S A GOOD IT’S JUST THAT WOULD LOVE TO SEE IF THEY CHANGE PLANS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. MORE COMMERCIAL SPACE MAY BE COMING TO THE PLANNED GOALS, GATEWAY RESORT AND MARINA VILLAGE ALONG WITH THINGS LIKE HOUSING, A HOTEL AND THAT HICKEY BAR, OF COURSE, THAT ALSO MEANS MORE CARS, THE TRAFFIC. I THINK SOME MY BIGGEST >> CONCERN IT’S A TRAFFIC CAPE CORAL CITY COUNCIL INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE CAP ON COMMERCIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE CURRENTLY SET AT 100,000 SQUARE FEET. IT WOULD ENSURE THE PROJECT ALIGNS WITH MODERN DEVELOPMENT CODE SINCE THE PLANT TRACES BACK TO 2016, KEVIN BLACK, THE PRESIDENT OF NORTHWEST CAPE CORAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TELLS ME THIS SPACE IS NEEDED IN THE AREA. I THINK THE ABILITY TO POTENTIALLY ADD A FEW. >> MORE COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES, STRONGER OR MORE RETAIL. I THINK THEY WOULD WELCOME. THE CITY SAYS THAT THEY HAVE SCHEDULED A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS CHANGE ON SEPTEMBER 17TH. BUT BEFORE ANY CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AROUND THESE CANALS, THE DEVELOPER NEEDS THEIR PLANS APPROVED. THIS PROJECT COULD VERY MUCH CHANGE THIS AREA OF CAPE CORAL
Cape Coral City Council introduces plan for Seven Islands development to move forward with changes
Updated: 7:16 PM EDT Sep 5, 2025
Cape Coral is discussing moving forward with plans to transform the Seven Islands, located in the northwest part of the city, into a vibrant development featuring hotels, restaurants, new housing, and more.The site, consisting of seven man-made islands south of Tropicana Parkway, is currently overgrown and empty, but the city plans to turn it into a place to live, shop, eat, work, and have fun. The project has been in the works for nearly a decade, and the city council is now discussing a plan to allow flexible changes to move the project forward.Paul Zelinsky, a homeowner living in front of the Seven Islands, expressed his support for the proposed development, saying, “I mean, it should be right across the street. I mean, actually, now I got to drive a little bit further to go anywhere, but, you know, it’s nice.”However, he also voiced concerns about potential changes to the plans, stating, “I think it’s a good thing. It’s just, I wouldn’t like to see them change plans or anything like that.”The development, known as the Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina Village, may include more commercial space, housing, a hotel, and a tiki bar, which could lead to increased traffic.Zelinsky said, “The traffic, I think, is my biggest concern, is the traffic.”Cape Coral City Council introduced an ordinance that could eliminate the current cap on commercial square footage, set at 100,000 square feet, allowing more businesses to be built and to ensure the project aligns with modern development codes, since the plan dates back to 2016. Kevin Black, president of the Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association, emphasized the need for this space in the area.After speaking with the developers, Black said, “I think the ability to potentially add a few more commercial opportunities, either restaurant or more retail, I think they would welcome.”A public hearing about the proposed changes is scheduled for Sept. 17. Developers will still need site plan approvals before construction begins, but with these new changes, this part of northwest Cape Coral could soon look very different.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. —
Cape Coral is discussing moving forward with plans to transform the Seven Islands, located in the northwest part of the city, into a vibrant development featuring hotels, restaurants, new housing, and more.
The site, consisting of seven man-made islands south of Tropicana Parkway, is currently overgrown and empty, but the city plans to turn it into a place to live, shop, eat, work, and have fun. The project has been in the works for nearly a decade, and the city council is now discussing a plan to allow flexible changes to move the project forward.
Paul Zelinsky, a homeowner living in front of the Seven Islands, expressed his support for the proposed development, saying, “I mean, it should be right across the street. I mean, actually, now I got to drive a little bit further to go anywhere, but, you know, it’s nice.”
However, he also voiced concerns about potential changes to the plans, stating, “I think it’s a good thing. It’s just, I wouldn’t like to see them change plans or anything like that.”
The development, known as the Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina Village, may include more commercial space, housing, a hotel, and a tiki bar, which could lead to increased traffic.
Zelinsky said, “The traffic, I think, is my biggest concern, is the traffic.”
Cape Coral City Council introduced an ordinance that could eliminate the current cap on commercial square footage, set at 100,000 square feet, allowing more businesses to be built and to ensure the project aligns with modern development codes, since the plan dates back to 2016.
Kevin Black, president of the Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association, emphasized the need for this space in the area.
After speaking with the developers, Black said, “I think the ability to potentially add a few more commercial opportunities, either restaurant or more retail, I think they would welcome.”
A public hearing about the proposed changes is scheduled for Sept. 17. Developers will still need site plan approvals before construction begins, but with these new changes, this part of northwest Cape Coral could soon look very different.
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.