Front and Center

Cape Coral mayor Eric Feichthaler talks fast because he has given himself a lot to do. Building better infrastructure, creating more neighborhood parks and attracting new business to the city are just a few of the goals the energetic 33-year-old has staked out since being elected in April.

The new mayor is in a hurry trying to make sure the state's second-largest city (in area) retains its high quality of life during a period of rapid population growth. His ambitious agenda is also part of repaying a personal debt to the community.

"I come from extremely modest means, growing up in a household where my father was disabled," explains Feichthaler. "When we moved from Philadelphia to Cape Coral, we found that the community was different here. People look out for one another, and we received a lot of support. I've always owed this city a great debt."

After coming to Cape Coral in 1988, Feichthaler excelled at Mariner High School and earned scholarships from several local organizations. The assistance helped Feichthaler attend the University of Miami, then earn law degrees from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and New York University.

When he returned to Cape Coral in 2002, Feichthaler opened his own practice, specializing in real estate, estate planning and tax law. He also began to invest in real estate, all with an eye toward placing himself in a position to eventually take a lower paying job in public service.

Spending more than $85,000 of his own money, Feichthaler sent out two mailings to 30,000 residents and hit the television airwaves with a series of commercials just before the election. Despite being labeled a land speculator by supporters of incumbent Arnold Kempe, the political

newcomer won office by grabbing 58 percent of the vote.

During the campaign, Feichthaler said he would not buy or sell land in Cape Coral while he is mayor.

"I didn't have to make that promise but felt it was important," he says. "I've made it now, financially, so it's an honor to be able to serve the city and repay my debt."

One of Feichthaler's first goals after taking office was to end the contentious atmosphere at City Hall. Although current city council members often disagree, observers have already noticed less bickering at public meetings.

"Eric's very professional, and when you see him running the meetings he's got good control," says Mike Quaintance, president of the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce. "One of the things that has really impressed me is Eric's community involvement. I've seen him at a large number of community venues, representing the city. It's nice to see him rubbing elbows with citizens. He's got the enthusiasm to get us over the challenges we

are facing."

Feichthaler's exuberant energy is needed. As more families and young professionals move to the area, experts predict the city will grow from its current population of almost 150,000 residents to 400,000 by 2080. Feichthaler says city officials need to anticipate even faster growth.

"We could reach 400,000 by 2030, and I think we need to prepare for that," he says. "It seems expensive now, but considering the value of property, it really isn't. I'm a younger mayor so I have a long-range outlook. I'd like to see us stay ahead of growth rather than always catching up."

One of the keys to staying ahead of growth, says Feichthaler, is to make the city more diverse, so residents won't have to travel over the Caloosahatchee River to Fort Myers for work and recreation. Cape Coral needs to develop its waterfront resources and attract new business that can share the tax burden.

Establishing better access to I-75 and the newly expanded airport is crucial to drawing more businesses west of the river, says Feichthaler. While he notes a new highway connecting the Cape to Charlotte County and the interstate is a long-range goal, it is the only way many businesses will see the city as a viable option.

Another area in which the city can improve its position is the downtown redevelopment district, says Feichthaler. A reinvigorated city center, containing office space, restaurants and retail outlets, should eventually draw more tourism dollars and professional service businesses to the city. A master plan has been written for the area, and the city's first new hotel in more than 20 years is already underway.

Most important, says Feichthaler, the right kind of growth can increase the quality of life for the city's residents. After all, the best way to convince large corporations to open new branches or establish their headquarters in Cape Coral is to make sure they know the city is a great place to live.

"We're going to draw a lot more business to Cape Coral, but we're always going to be a residential community, and that's something we can accentuate," says Feichthaler. "What makes this the best city to live and work in are the people who live here. It's a family-oriented, law-abiding city, and I strongly feel that it's the best place on earth." GB