Mary,
I have attached a letter that was provided to Council as a notice of Ryan Developments intentions regarding the Golf Club Parcel. The letter states that they have entered into an agreement with a "Letter of Intent" from a National home builder, not yet identified.
It is with great sadness that I report that development. If it is accurate, typically, there would still remain a meticulous process of "due diligence" on behalf of the prospective buyer. I would hope that any prospective purchaser would understand that the property is designated "open space" in it's land use and would be willing to restore the historical and economical benefits that this property have yielded over the last 40 (plus) years. I remain hopeful that this City Council understands that this parcel and it's restoration as a Championship Golf Course along with a hotel and/or convention center is the single most fragile and important item in this City. There are no other parcels or areas of this City that should be given consideration above this property. As we both know, there are now and have been avenues to realize this goal, the Trust for Public Land being a very obvious one that has stood ready to make this happen for 6 years. If a buyer comes forward and is successful in purchasing this parcel, I am hopeful they understand the historical significance, the compatibility with our Comprehensive Plan, the economic benefits of the Golf Course as an engine for our CRA downtown district along with many other considerations as well. I would also hope that they see the passion of the residents of Cape Coral and the surrounding property owners that want nothing more than a restoration of this valuable asset to our community so that we may, once again, enjoy golf and perhaps tennis along with the many social events that defined the venue for so many years. I, of course, stand ready to do all that I can as a resident of this great City to insure that this parcel remains what the Founding Fathers envisioned. I remain hopeful that one day we will "tee it up" once again and welcome visitors to a resort type destination that will facilitate the revitalization of our Downtown area. Thanks to all that have been steadfast in their determination to restore and utilize this parcel in the way that it was built and in the way that it was intended in perpetuity, in my opinion.
Jim Burch
Concerned Citizen
Save Our Recreation is a non-profit organization established to preserve the historic old Cape Coral Golf Club property as a park or recreational property for use by the public for generations to come.
• saveourrecreation.us • savethegolfcourse.com • savethegolfclub.com •
4007 Palm Tree Blvd #108 Cape Coral, FL 33904
920-621-6097
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
Meeting of the golf course held on Saturday May 3rd
Council member Leon addressed the grass issue. The owners have until May 15th to cut the perimeter or they will be fined. Richard Leon asked that if you see someone mowing, to please email him. He will keep an eye on the progress too.
Council For Progress executive director, Joe Mazurkiewicz gave a report on the team tasked to find solutions for the 175+ acres. The team consists of local business leaders and members of the Council for Progress.
Council For Progress executive director, Joe Mazurkiewicz gave a report on the team tasked to find solutions for the 175+ acres. The team consists of local business leaders and members of the Council for Progress.
- 3 Swedish investors are interested in the property & in talks with the owners.
- Of the 3, 2 are Pro Golfers, 1 is Pro Hockey
- A viable option to support an 18 hole golf course could be a country club type building with banquet facilities (similar to the old Golf Club building) and a 55+ living center. In order for the layout to work, the center would need to be a vertical structure of 6 stories. The space across Palm Tree could be used for additional parking for the club and hall.
Monday, April 21, 2014
CAPE CORAL GOLF CLUB PHOTO
Friday, April 18, 2014
TODAY'S NEW CAPE CORAL GOLF CLUB PHOTO
Ibis & Golfers Former Cape Coral Golf Club |
Courtesy of Dr Fleischner
Please email me your old pics for posting!
If you have paper photos, drop them at my office and I will scan to a jpeg and return to you.
American Brokers Realty Group
2323 Del Prado Blvd S (next to JP Sports)
mary@maryneilson.com
239-243-5989
Thursday, April 17, 2014
TODAY'S GOLF COURSE PHOTO
Thursday, April 03, 2014
Buy golf course
News Press Letter to the editor- April 3, 2014
I remember Arnold Kempe, a visionary mayor years ago who knew that only growth should pay for growth. He saw that Cape Coral had two strikes against it. One being its size, the second largest city in square miles in Florida. The other, the Cape’s being poorly preplatted.
When a resident wanted to build on the perimeter of the city for privacy, the city was obligated to put in roads, utilities and the like. Not a recipe to help the city’s budget.
However, this city will max out. It has too many pluses, canals, weather, prices, etc.
Now, offer $5 million for the golf course property, a fair price considering the market value. If the owners won’t take it, walk away. Utilize eminent domain. If the offer is accepted, figure a way to get the money. You managed to pay $13 million and buy vacant land in the north. This property is, of course, now off the tax rolls. How did you find that $13 million?
A golf course may cost more to get it up and running, but will be cost effective in the near future. We owe it to the residents surrounding this valuable land to get what they paid for and improve the quality of life for our future citizens and businesses.
The zoning must never be altered. Parks and recreation is what it should remain. The only exception would be 2 or 3 acres for a hotel.
John and Dee Klockow, Cape Coral
I remember Arnold Kempe, a visionary mayor years ago who knew that only growth should pay for growth. He saw that Cape Coral had two strikes against it. One being its size, the second largest city in square miles in Florida. The other, the Cape’s being poorly preplatted.
When a resident wanted to build on the perimeter of the city for privacy, the city was obligated to put in roads, utilities and the like. Not a recipe to help the city’s budget.
However, this city will max out. It has too many pluses, canals, weather, prices, etc.
Now, offer $5 million for the golf course property, a fair price considering the market value. If the owners won’t take it, walk away. Utilize eminent domain. If the offer is accepted, figure a way to get the money. You managed to pay $13 million and buy vacant land in the north. This property is, of course, now off the tax rolls. How did you find that $13 million?
A golf course may cost more to get it up and running, but will be cost effective in the near future. We owe it to the residents surrounding this valuable land to get what they paid for and improve the quality of life for our future citizens and businesses.
The zoning must never be altered. Parks and recreation is what it should remain. The only exception would be 2 or 3 acres for a hotel.
John and Dee Klockow, Cape Coral
Thursday, March 27, 2014
CAPE CORAL GOLF CLUB PHOTO
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
OPEN LETTER FROM MARK & LINDA MUNANE
Ms.Neilson,
Good evening!
Recently a volunteer
stopped by my homestead at 4602 Country Club Blvd. (South end of the golf
course) for a signature on a petition, unfortunately I was not home at the
time, however an informational flyer was left at my house. If a
signature is still required for saving the Golf course please let me know via
email and I will sign it.
After visiting the
website savethegolfclub.com
it appeared I was not able to sign up for notifications as I am not affiliated
with any of the servers (yahoo etc) if there is any way you can add my email
address to the notification list I would appreciate it.
Incidentally, I also own
the Hideaway Waterfront Resort at the intersection of SE 5th Ave. and Country Club
Blvd. (formally the Fairway Motel back in the 70s as it was adjacent to the
golf course). Even this last week we had several Guests that for many years
going back to the 70s used to enjoy the use of the golf course and would
like it to re-open. We are most likely one of a very few commercial
properties near the golf course with a vested interest in its future.
Please accept my thanks
in advance for your volunteer hours on this project as I have done this in the
past with community groups and am aware of the hours in can entail. Please do
not hesitate to call me directly if you need volunteer help (although it is
quite busy until after Easter).
Sincerely,
Mark & Linda Murnane
Saturday, March 22, 2014
RAINBOWS OVER CAPE CORAL GOLF COURSE
Photographs compliments of Barbara Butler.
Please email me your old pics for posting!
If you have paper photos, drop them at my office and I will scan to a jpeg and return to you.
American Brokers Realty Group
2323 Del Prado Blvd S (next to JP Sports)
mary@maryneilson.com
239-243-5989
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD VOLUNTEER WALKERS
Today, over 20 volunteers from the Banyan Trace community took to the streets to talk with our friends and neighbors around the Country Club/Wildwood/Palm Tree area. Feedback has been marvelous. We have added many new members to the Save The Golf Course group today. If a volunteer missed you, please email me so I can add your email to our list. mary@maryneilson.com
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
FORMER CAPE CORAL GOLF CLUB PHOTOS
COUNCIL FOR PROGRESS AGENDA FOR ***LAST FRIDAY'S*** MEETING
COUNCIL FOR PROGRESS FOUNDATION, INC.
MEETING NOTICE
What: March Meeting
The Golf Club Property
Where:
Hampton Inn in
Downtown Cape Coral
619 SE 47th
Terrace
When: FRIDAY, 14, 2014
At last Monday’s (March 3rd) City Council meeting
I made an offer to the Council to see if the CFP would be willing to entertain
looking at a private/public partnership to see if the Golf Club property could
be successfully redeveloped with the inclusion of an 18 hole golf course. The Council voted unanimously to allow us time
to consider our involvement in the project.
At our meeting this Friday we will be presented with
possible development scenarios, possible partners, and possible funding
sources. Council Member Birch, Dana
Brunett, City EDO Director and Joe Mazurkiewicz, CFP Executive Director will
lead the discussion with input from other informed members and community
stakeholders. Once all the possibilities are laid out the CFP members will vote
to assist the city in saving this very unique parcel and making it the center
piece of Southeast Cape Coral. Please
join us for this very important discussion.
I believe this is a high risk, high reward proposition. If we were to get involved and be successful
it will give the CFP an immense amount of credibility.
We will also have our monthly update on
EDO activity from Dana Brunett.
Networking is from 7:00-7:30
and the meeting will begin promptly at 7:30am.
Free to Council for Progress members
$15.00 for Non-Members
FORMER CAPE CORAL GOLF CLUB PROPERTY UPDATE
Golf Course Update
1. This is a historic piece of property
in Cape Coral and it was one of the centerpieces of the Cape Coral from its
inception.
2. It is the last significant piece of
green space in Southeast Cape Coral.
3. The current property has a land use designation
of parks and recreation which protects its current green space status if not
changed.
4. The Community Redevelopment Agency
(CRA) 2009 amendment when it added the golf course and surrounding property to
the CRA stated a key purpose for the adding the golf course was to allow “redevelopment
back to a viable course.”
5. Restoring the golf course (or similar
desirable green space development) will increase property values significantly.
6. With the way the CRA works this
increase in property values will lead to increased tax revenues for the City.
7. It is vital to make any decision only
after looking at all the alternatives, gathering data on all possible funding
sources, and then finding a way to restore it in order to keep this a special
part of Cape Coral that will be a destination for people to visit.
8. On Friday March 14 the Council for
Progress (CFP), with the support of the Cape Coral City Council, agreed to try
to find an option to address the golf course that could lead to restoring it as
a golf course. They will be engaged in
this process for 90 days. The CFP is
non-profit organization made up of community business leaders dedicated to the
economic development of Cape Coral. The CFP assists the City under a Memorandum
of Understanding entered into with the City in February 2014.
What can you do?
- Keep
informed at www.savethegolfclub.com), Banyan Blog
(http://banyan.donetblog.com) or give us your email to forward updates
-Contact the city council – email: council@capecoral.net or P.O. Box 150027
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