>> WELL, IF ANYTHING LIKE PICTURES THAT, YOU KNOW, IT’S GOING TO BE GORGEOUS AND PROVIDE A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR US THAT ARE RIGHT HERE. THE RE-IMAGINING OF JAYCEE PARK IS GOING TO COST EVEN MORE MONEY THAN FIRST EXPECTED. TONIGHT, WE’RE LEARNING. >> THE PRICE TO BUILD A CONCESSION AT JAYCEE PARK IS TOPPING 1.4 MILLION DOLLARS. AND THE CITY SAYS THEY MAY HAVE TO DIG INTO YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO GET IT FINISHED. TONIGHT, GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER AND A TOUCH OF US ALL IS LIVE IN THE CAPE WITH HOW WE GOT HERE. >> KELLY, BEHIND THIS FENCE, THERE’S A FOUNDATION FOR A BISTRO BUT WORK HAS STOPPED ON IT. NOW THE CITY SAYS FINISHING THE PROJECT WILL LIKELY COST MORE. >> AND IF YOU’RE GOING TO PUT 20 MILLION DOLLARS INTO MY FRONT YARD, I’M ALL FOR SO. THAT’S MY FEELINGS ON IT. AND IT BUT I GET WHY PEOPLE ARE UPSET TRANSFORMING JAYCEE PARK HAS BROUGHT NO SHORTAGE OF OPINIONS FROM TEARING DOWN THE TREES TO PLANT NEW ONES. >> TO THE COST OF BUILDING A BAN STAGE, SNACK SHACK AND BOAT SLIPS. SOME PEOPLE CAN’T WAIT FOR WHAT’S TO COME, BUT WE REALLY ENJOYED THE OLD PARK AND KIND OF AN OLD-FASHIONED PARK. BUT THE PLANS THAT THEY HAVE FOR THIS PARKER, PHENOMENAL. SO WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT IT. >> EVERY DAY WE WALKED BY THIS PARK, WE LOOK AT IT AND LOOK AT THE PROGRESS AND KEEP ENVISIONING WHAT IT’S GOING TO BE LIKE AND LOOK FORWARD TO IT. IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT ATTRACTION FOR THE CITY. THE CITY PAUSED CONSTRUCTION ON THE PARK’S NEW BISTRO AFTER IT TERMINATED THE CONCESSIONAIRE AGREEMENT. ONLY THE FOUNDATION SITS. THERE ARE A FEW OPTIONS ON WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. ONE IS SPENDING ABOUT $648,000 TO BUILD THE BISTRO BUILDING AND ROOF. THE SECOND WILL COST 1.4 MILLION TO BUILD IT AND FURNISH THE SNACK SHOP. CANONIZE LIVES RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE PARK. HE’S LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW ENTERTAINMENT. WE’VE HAD A LOT OF MESS IN THE BEGINNING. BUT >> I MEAN, IT’S SUCH A LIVE IN CITY THAT ACTUALLY TAKES TAX MONEY AND USES IT FOR SOMETHING. >> THE CITY SAYS, REGARDLESS OF WHICH OPTION THEY CHOOSE, IT HOPES TCOUP THE MONEY BY SIGNING ANOTHER CONCESSION DEAL WITH A NEW COMPAN
Cape Coral residents express mixed feelings on Jaycee Park Bistro project
Updated: 6:08 PM EST Dec 9, 2025
The Cape Coral City Council will soon decide whether to invest taxpayer dollars to complete the Jaycee Park Bistro, with options ranging from $648,000 to $1.4 million.Ken Nies, a Cape Coral resident, said, “I think it’s great. I think everybody’s doing a great job. I mean, we’re right across from it. We’ve had a lot of mess in the beginning, but I mean, it’s nice to live in a city that actually takes our tax money and uses it for something.”Construction of the new bistro is currently on hold after the city terminated the concessionaire agreement, although the foundation is already completed. The city is considering two options: spending about $648,000 to build the bistro or $1.4 million to also furnish it with restaurant fixtures and equipment.Barbra Madson, another resident, expressed her enthusiasm for the renovations, saying, “Well, because there’s has so much more to offer than it did before. I mean, it’s just so distinctly different. It was, like, natural before, and now there’s a lot of there’s just all kinds of things to offer people, from ping pong to tennis.”Shelly Foy shared her excitement, stating, “Well, we really enjoyed the old park and kind of an old-fashioned park, but the plans that they have for this park are phenomenal. So we’re excited about it.”Dave Foy added, “Yeah, every day we walk by this park, we look at it and look at the progress and keep envisioning what it’s going to be like and look forward to it. It’s going to be a great attraction for the city.”Many residents expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing changes, citing constant loud construction and the loss of a peaceful place to walk over the past two years.Ken Nies acknowledged the concerns, saying, “A lot of people don’t like change, but it’s inevitable. And, Florida’s growing. It’s just not Cape Coral. It’s just nice to see that our tax money is being visibly spent. So I get their point. But we moved to this condo straight across so that we can enjoy the bands, we can enjoy the park.”The city hopes to recoup the investment by signing a new concession deal with another company, regardless of which option is chosen.The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Cape Coral City Hall.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. —
The Cape Coral City Council will soon decide whether to invest taxpayer dollars to complete the Jaycee Park Bistro, with options ranging from $648,000 to $1.4 million.
Ken Nies, a Cape Coral resident, said, “I think it’s great. I think everybody’s doing a great job. I mean, we’re right across from it. We’ve had a lot of mess in the beginning, but I mean, it’s nice to live in a city that actually takes our tax money and uses it for something.”
Construction of the new bistro is currently on hold after the city terminated the concessionaire agreement, although the foundation is already completed.
The city is considering two options: spending about $648,000 to build the bistro or $1.4 million to also furnish it with restaurant fixtures and equipment.
Barbra Madson, another resident, expressed her enthusiasm for the renovations, saying, “Well, because there’s has so much more to offer than it did before. I mean, it’s just so distinctly different. It was, like, natural before, and now there’s a lot of there’s just all kinds of things to offer people, from ping pong to tennis.”
Shelly Foy shared her excitement, stating, “Well, we really enjoyed the old park and kind of an old-fashioned park, but the plans that they have for this park are phenomenal. So we’re excited about it.”
Dave Foy added, “Yeah, every day we walk by this park, we look at it and look at the progress and keep envisioning what it’s going to be like and look forward to it. It’s going to be a great attraction for the city.”
Many residents expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing changes, citing constant loud construction and the loss of a peaceful place to walk over the past two years.
Ken Nies acknowledged the concerns, saying, “A lot of people don’t like change, but it’s inevitable. And, Florida’s growing. It’s just not Cape Coral. It’s just nice to see that our tax money is being visibly spent. So I get their point. But we moved to this condo straight across so that we can enjoy the bands, we can enjoy the park.”
The city hopes to recoup the investment by signing a new concession deal with another company, regardless of which option is chosen.
The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Cape Coral City Hall.
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.