Seven Islands Master Site Plan. Provided by City of Cape Coral

A “destination development” more than 10 years in the making saw a major step taken earlier this month.

The city of Cape Coral has submitted a permit application to the Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to the Clean Water Act in relation to the 48-acre Seven Islands site off Old Burnt Store Road along the North Spreader Waterway adjacent to Tropicana Park.

Cape Coral’s Economic Development Officer, Sharon Woodberry, said the submission of the permit is a milestone moment for the planned Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina Village development.

“It was one of the more involved processes of (the project) because of the degree of how it affects the environment and (manatees),” Woodberry said. “So trying to balance that with what the requirements are environmentally, as well as still creating a development that met the spirit of what we were trying to accomplish, it was the most delicate, most involved, and time consuming.

“All of that has been worked out, and is now being submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers. It’s a huge milestone.”

The project is being developed by Gulf Gateway Resort, which purchased the site from the city in 20xx for $xx.

The purchase contract stipulates that the buyer, Gulf Gateway Resort, intends to pursue environmental permitting in collaboration with the seller, the city.

Gulf Gateway Resort will be responsible for related expenses.

According to the permit application, the purpose of the project is to create a “mixed use residential, commercial, and recreational development to include boating access to stimulate development within northwest Cape Coral.”

The proposed project area is a series of seven undeveloped man-made islands on the east side of the North Spreader Canal.

“Each island has an earthen causeway access road to the mainland of Cape Coral. The entire project footprint consists of saltwater forested wetlands and uplands. Based on a review of historic aerial photography, the property had been in its current state since 1985,” the permit application states.

As for the spirit to which Woodberry was referring, she said, “Certainly it was activating the waterfront. We do not have that in the northwest section of Cape Coral. By having that element as well as bringing commercial that also is not there for residents of the northwest, we’re able to accomplish both. It was absolutely a partnership in that we worked very closely with the Northwest (Neighborhood Association). They had input on what this final concept looked like. We’re able to provide some recreation, commercial, shopping, activating the waterfront in being able to access all of this by boat. It’s a huge project from the area.”

Prior to selling the site, the then-sitting Council held public meetings and subsequently approved a concept plan.

The development’s submitted master site plan shows a mix of condos, apartments and fish houses, with a total of 995 units planned. Those units will occupy Islands 1 through 5, with Island 6 being home to a hotel and resort lagoon, and Island 7 boasting event halls, community center park, restaurant, and more.

From the initial outlook of the project to where it stands today, Woodberry said the majority of the components originally proposed will be included, with a few details shuffled around.

“There were certain concerns (environmentally) that had to be taken into consideration,” she said. “One of the things that residents will see is initially, when the concept was established from City Council, there was a marina that was incorporated into this. But it was a marina in the traditional sense where you saw slips in a concentrated area.

“It shuffled around so now the marina is not in the traditional sense. All of the slips are there, but they’re spread out across the islands. It still serves the purpose, but was accomplished a bit differently in order to meet some of the goals for marine life. We still have it, but it looks different. You still have the facilities that come with a marina, but it’s just structured a bit differently.”

Another reworking includes the commercial shops, which have now been pulled to the front along Old Burnt Store Road for some of the sections.

Woodberry said Island 6 will feature a hotel, as well as amenities included with a hotel including a restaurant, pool, and resort lagoon.

“(It’s) more recreationally focused in an attraction form of way, so it’s available to local residents as well as those that are staying at the hotel,” Woodberry said.

For Island 7, there will be restaurant space along with the community centers. The commercial space out front that spans from Islands 5 to 7 will feature different shops and restaurants. Woodberry said there are no tenants locked into those spaces at the moment.

Woodberry said the final plans for Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina Village came at the blessing of the Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association.

“And understanding what the goals were, what residents wanted to see in terms of the recreational space and getting their input on (changes),” Woodberry said. “In terms of the uses, how it’s programmed, whether these were all the amenities that residents wanted to see, we got that from the leadership of the (Northwest Neighborhood Association).”

In terms of a timeline for what’s next, Woodberry said they are expecting to have, subsequent to the purchase and sale agreement, a development agreement that will be presented to City Council.

“That will include (the most recent) conceptual plan, as well as a phase timeline for the order of the development,” Woodberry said. “We’re expecting to have that hopefully within the first quarter of 2025 and providing that to Council for their final blessing.

“We’re really excited with what the final plan looks like. The developer has already started to engage with a hotel flagship. They’ve got this to the point where the architects are engaged, and this is locking in what (residents) will see as the final Seven Island Project.”

Gulf Gateway Resort did not immediately respond to requests for comment.