Paul and Joseph Bonasia, founders of Protect Our Wetlands Cape Coral, are leading a campaign to prevent the construction of a condo and hotel on local wetlands, emphasizing the area’s importance in safeguarding homes from storm surge and flooding.Paul Bonasia says, “I was not active on Facebook, but that was the way to get the word out. Facebook and Instagram. So, we started a Facebook account with the website.”Daniel Ludlow, who ran for Cape Coral City Council last year with the same mission, expressed his love for the natural beauty of the area. “It’s a beautiful place. It’s what these people love to get up and see,” Ludlow said. In March, the Cape Coral City Council denied a development proposal from the Zemel family to build 800 condos and a hotel on the wetlands, which are considered a natural resource preservation area. The developers have requested the city reconsider Redfish Pointe’s protection status.Joseph Bonasia emphasized the importance of the wetlands in protecting homes from flooding. “This all comes down to the city Council simply saying no. That’s all they have to do is say no,” he said.Joseph Bonasia recounted the impact of Hurricane Ian in 2022, which caused significant flooding in the area. “My home was flooded with about ten inches of water inside the house, $120,000 worth of damage,” he said. He added that the damage would have been worse without the protection of the wetlands.”The damage would have been greater if we didn’t have these hundreds of acres of mangroves and wetlands protecting us, where the proposed redfish development could end up,” Joseph Bonasia said.Cape Coral says the final decision is up to the city council and is currently under review. 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. —

Paul and Joseph Bonasia, founders of Protect Our Wetlands Cape Coral, are leading a campaign to prevent the construction of a condo and hotel on local wetlands, emphasizing the area’s importance in safeguarding homes from storm surge and flooding.

Paul Bonasia says, “I was not active on Facebook, but that was the way to get the word out. Facebook and Instagram. So, we started a Facebook account with the website.”

Daniel Ludlow, who ran for Cape Coral City Council last year with the same mission, expressed his love for the natural beauty of the area.

“It’s a beautiful place. It’s what these people love to get up and see,” Ludlow said.

In March, the Cape Coral City Council denied a development proposal from the Zemel family to build 800 condos and a hotel on the wetlands, which are considered a natural resource preservation area. The developers have requested the city reconsider Redfish Pointe’s protection status.

Joseph Bonasia emphasized the importance of the wetlands in protecting homes from flooding.

“This all comes down to the city Council simply saying no. That’s all they have to do is say no,” he said.

Joseph Bonasia recounted the impact of Hurricane Ian in 2022, which caused significant flooding in the area.

“My home was flooded with about ten inches of water inside the house, $120,000 worth of damage,” he said.

He added that the damage would have been worse without the protection of the wetlands.

“The damage would have been greater if we didn’t have these hundreds of acres of mangroves and wetlands protecting us, where the proposed redfish development could end up,” Joseph Bonasia said.

Cape Coral says the final decision is up to the city council and is currently under review.

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.