Lead Photo: Del Webb Oak Creek will showcase new floor plans ranging from 1,400 to more than 3,600 square feet, and starting in the $200,000s. Details below.
DEMOLITION PROCESS BEGINS FOR MARGARITAVILLE RESORT IN FORT MYERS BEACH
Preliminary demolition work started Monday on Margaritaville Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach, said Joel Finley, vice president of capital projects for TPI Hospitality, the developer of the 254-room resort. While heavy demolition of 12 buildings on 7 acres along Estero Boulevard and Crescent Street will begin later this month, Finley said the abatement period is underway to safely remove hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead from the old structures. Demolition is expected to take two months by Honc Destruction, which began its work beachside with the former Pierview Hotel & Suites and surrounding buildings. DeAngelis Diamond will build the new four-story beach resort, which will include two beachside restaurants, a 22,000-square-
FOOD STAMP BENEFITS UPDATE OCT. 1 FOR FIRST TIME IN 45 YEARS
Heralded as the largest increase in food-stamp benefits in history, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) monthly benefits will increase beginning Oct. 1 on average of $36 per person, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week. The cost adjustment is the first time the purchasing power of the Thrifty Food Plan has changed since it was first introduced in 1975. The plan was adjusted to reflect current food prices, what Americans typically eat, dietary guidance, and the nutrients in food items. For example, the revised plan includes more fish and red and orange vegetables to align with recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
LEE COMMISSIONERS APPROVE CONTRACTS FOR SANIBEL CAUSEWAY ISLANDS PROJECT
Lee County commissioners voted Tuesday to award contracts for engineering services for enhancements to both Sanibel Causeway Islands A and B and construction services for the shoreline stabilization of Island B. The contracts are part of a larger project on the Causeway islands. Plans call for the shoring up of erosion-prone areas of the causeway islands.
Video courtesy of WINK News
SWFL CHEF-RESTAURATEUR DIES AFTER BATTLING COVID-19
Beloved local chef and restaurateur Shannon Yates died this week after he recently contracted the coronavirus. Yates, 49, was the owner of Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery in Cape Coral for the last decade and previously operated Cru, Bacchus, Mad Takeout and Lush local restaurants. Many people reacted to Yates’ death on social media, saying he had a big heart and brought people together, WINK News reports.
Video courtesy of WINK News
NEW PARK-AND-RIDE FACILITY PLANNED FOR LEHIGH ACRES
Lee County commissioners hope to alleviate commuting nightmares by bringing more public transportation to Lehigh Acres via a new park-and-ride facility. The board voted Tuesday to award a contract to Johnson Engineering Inc., which will provide design, engineering and architectural services of a new bus park-and-ride facility adjacent to Lehigh Acres Park at Williams Avenue and Village Lakes Boulevard in Lehigh. The design process is expected to take 11 months and cost more than $350,000. LeeTran says bus ridership has risen 30% in the last decade and many Lehigh residents work or visit places outside of town. The proposal gives
LEE COMMISSIONERS OK CONTRACT TO DESIGN WATER QUALITY PROJECT IN NORTH FORT MYERS
Lee County commissioners Tuesday voted to approve a contract to design the Palm Creek Filter Marsh Project within the Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve East in North Fort Myers. The project consists of the engineering and related services for development of a pond and wetland network to assist in treatment of surface water for nutrient removal and related water quality improvement. The project diverts water from Palm Creek through the wetland network to remove nutrients before the water flows into the Caloosahatchee River. The project design by Tetra Tech Inc. is expected to take two years. For more information on Lee County’s water quality initiative, click here.
DEL WEBB OAK CREEK COMMUNITY COMING TO FORT MYERS
Del Webb has announced the development of Del Webb Oak Creek in Fort Myers. A 55 and up location with resort-inspired living amenities, the 418-acre gated community will feature 821 single-family homes starting from the $200,000s, with water and preserve views. Available floor plans will range from 1,400 to more than 3,600 square feet with two and three-car garages, and homeowners will have the ability to personalize floor plan layouts and finishes. Smart home features are incorporated into every home. Del Webb Oak Creek is estimated to break ground on model homes in late 2021, with sales starting in mid-2022.
Valerie’s House founder and CEO Angela Melvin
VALERIE’S HOUSE HALTS GROUP MEETINGS DUE TO COVID CONCERNS
The growing number of COVID deaths among young people has led Valerie’s House to suspend group meetings until the numbers recede, founder and CEO Angela Melvin announced Sunday. Although Valerie’s House has not seen a COVID outbreak within the organization, Melvin says the virus is still hitting close to home with new families entering the program because of a COVID death, as well as a young volunteer who died over the weekend after contracting the virus. Valerie’s House will continue with individual counseling and family care in person. In the meantime, Melvin said support groups may become virtual until the COVID numbers come down. Valerie’s House aims to provide a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love.
Melissa Tenzel
PHYSICIANS’ PRIMARY CARE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA APPOINTS NEW HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has appointed Melissa Tenzel as its new human resources manager, effective Sept. 1. Tenzel has served as the human resources generalist at Physicians’ Primary Care since 2017. She succeeds Fran Barker, who is retiring after 21 years with the primary care practice. Tenzel has more than 21 years of experience in human resources in government, healthcare, higher education and commercial enterprises. Before joining PPC, she worked in human resources in the administrative office to the courts of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida and as payroll manager at Florida SouthWestern State College. She is a Senior Certified Professional awarded by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).
TLC MARKETING & CREATIVE SERVICES HIRES ROARK
TLC Marketing and Creative Services welcomes Chastity Roark to its team as the marketing and communications coordinator. Roark has managed multiple companies’ marketing and public relations strategies throughout various industries including, retail, hospitality and restaurants. She has more than five years of experience in marketing and has gained knowledge in social media, content creation, public relations management and campaign creation. Roark graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor’s degree in communication with a concentration in public relations and a minor in journalism and creative writing. Roark will manage all social media from content creation to publishing along with campaigns and public relations strategies.
OCTOBER SPECIAL SECTION: ADVERTISING & PR FIRM GUIDE
The October 2021 issue of Gulfshore Business magazine will include our semi-annual Advertising & PR Firm Guide. Don’t miss this targeted opportunity to promote your firm and its services to the 40,000-plus monthly readers of Gulfshore Business magazine! For advertising inquiries, please contact Associate Publisher Chris Renstrom at 239-498-8517 or chris.renstrom@
CHARITABLE NOTES
STARability’s 3K Fun Run, Walk & Roll takes place Oct. 16
The STARability Foundation’s fourth annual 3K Fun Run, Walk & Roll will be on Oct. 16 at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples. The family-friendly event is an inclusive event for all ages and abilities. Day-of registration will begin at 7 a.m., and the event will start at 8 a.m. Pre-event registration is strongly encouraged. This year’s event will also be dog-friendly; however, only one dog per registered participant will be allowed. All dogs must be on a non-retractable leash and up to date on vaccinations. Jeff Maconaghy is the event chair and Accanito Capital Group as this year’s presenting sponsor. Gulfshore Life is also sponsoring the event. Proceeds from the 3K ensure STARability can preserve and expand its programs and services that shine light on ability, not disability. Registration fees are $30 for adults, and children 12 and younger are free. Register here.
Young athletes participate in several drills to sharpen their skills
Tommy Bohanon Foundation hosts fifth annual football camp for at-risk youth
The Tommy Bohanon Foundation hosted its fifth annual Tommy Bohanon Youth Football Camp at North Fort Myers High School on July 17. Young athletes from first to eighth grade were invited to attend the camp hosted by former NFL player Tommy Bohanon. More than 40 volunteers participated in this year’s football camp. Coaches included Justin Lee, the Tommy Bohanon Foundation’s 2021 Most Valuable Playmaker Award recipient, and Dwayne Mack, North Fort Myers High School head football coach. In all, there were 20 coaches from the collegiate and high school levels and 20 junior coaches who play local high school football that came together to coach just under 100 local at-risk youth. Fifteen additional volunteers, including teachers and Lee County Sheriff’s Office members, provided support throughout the day. Tropical Smoothie Cafe sponsored the event and provided the players, coaches and volunteers. The Tommy Bohanon Foundation plans to host the sixth annual Youth Football Camp in June 2022.
Emmanuel Academies receives grant from Duke Leadership
Emmanuel Academies has received a grant from Duke Leadership for the Advancement of Theological Education for Latino seminarians. With the grant, a leadership project will bring together a panel of 20 theological experts to advise on Spanish-language resources for Protestant pastoral formation. The Naples-based theological education program was chosen for the $10,000 grant jointly by Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School and the Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH), a network of institutions dedicated to quality theological education in Hispanic communities. Funding was made possible by the Lilly Endowment Inc., a private philanthropic foundation supporting the causes of religion, education and community development.
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