Artist rendition of the marine aspect of the proposed Yacht Club park rebuild.
\nCITY OF CAPE CORAL<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s planned rebuild of the Cape Coral Yacht Club took a major step forward Wednesday when the Cape Coral City Council approved a $22.7 million contract with Wright Construction Group, Inc. for construction-manager-at-risk services.<\/p>\n
Council approved a second amendment to its contract with Wright Construction to oversee the marine development component of the multi-million project to redevelop the riverfront acreage in the wake of Hurricane Ian.<\/p>\n
WCG last month had provided a guaranteed maximum price for the marine development package for $22,786,571.46.<\/p>\n
Work includes the demolition of existing, damaged marine structures and facilities, as well as construction of a new seawall, boat ramp, flushing box culverts and local spot dredging.<\/p>\n
Councilmembers Rachel Kaduk and Jennifer Nelson-Lastra pulled the consent agenda item for discussion.<\/p>\n
City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn explained that for any of the upland facilities to be constructed, this step has to be done.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is step one. No matter whether or not we put it out for (request for proposals), or scale it back, this still needs to happen,\u201d he said of the project, the cost of which could exceed $300 million.<\/p>\n
Ilczyszyn said there will be a presentation at Council\u2019s workshop next week about the history of the Yacht Club project as he said there is misunderstanding in the community. The presentation will deconstruct the total cost of the project so Council, and community, know what the docks in the marine component will cost as well as the planned community center, parking garage, harbor master building and the general site plan.<\/p>\n
Nelson-Lastra said a Council majority gave directions to staff to bring back some potential requests for proposals, and public-private partnership opportunities for aspects of the project, including the planned ballroom, marina and parking garage.<\/p>\n
\u201cStaff was directed for a request for information to see if there are any potential P3 and investors wanting to assist with the development,\u201d Ilczyszyn said.<\/p>\n
He explained staff is waiting to close up the proposals for the separate Bimini East project before they move forward with the Yacht Club proposals, so they do not have conflicting proposals.<\/p>\n
Nelson-Lastra said Council wants to put out a request for information, so the taxpayers do not have to pay the costs for the entire project.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority of us up here would like to see this burden not on us \u2013 prefer to do a business partnership,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Wednesday\u2019s Council action was the latest in a series of contractual approvals to redevelop the riverfront park on Driftwood Parkway in the wake if Hurricane Ian, which destroyed the marina, pier and much of the infrastructure.<\/p>\n
In February 2021, the council adopted a resolution approving a construction contract with Wright Construction for $331,286.88 for construction manager at risk pre-construction services.<\/p>\n
In January of this year, an amendment was approved to the contract for additional pre-construction services for new facilities \u2013 community center, resort-style pool and the expanded parking garage for $1,202,049.92.<\/p>\n
In June of this year, Council adopted a resolution that accepted a $2 million grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection with no required match, which covers costs that are associated with the replacement of a deteriorating seawall, beach expansion and pier construction following damages from Hurricane Ian.<\/p>\n