The lack of affordable workforce housing in southern Lee County has significantly impacted our local economy and...
Community Planning Articles
Addressing the Workforce Housing Crisis In Southern Lee County: Part 2
A Collaborative Approach Inspired by Toronto's Success Introduction Southern Lee County faces two major...
Estero Sense of Place Winners Announced
Engage Estero wants to thank everyone who took part in the process of helping define Estero's Sense of Place....
Why does it take so long to build or widen a municipal or county road?
By Mark Novitski, contributor and Engage Estero consultant Unfortunately, widening, building, or modifying a road takes longer than people think! It is a complex process. Each stakeholder has several complicated processes to ensure the project is run correctly. The...
Lee Health Coconut Point 5 Year Anniversary
Lee Health Coconut Point 5 Year AnniversaryWritten by Allan Bowditch, Engage Estero’s Chief Communications Officer;Photos by Ed Weil, Engage Estero Committee MemberLee Health Coconut Point celebrated five years of outstanding patient care and growth in the Estero and...
Traffic on Corkscrew Road – Traveling East Corkscrew Road. Is it Safer?
East Corkscrew Road had improvements in 2014/2015 to help with traffic, but it was not enough. Lee County Department of Transportation (LDOT) collaborated with the developer as the Wild Blue Estero, FL development was planned and approved. LDOT required the Wild Blue east entrance to line up with Bella Terra Blvd.
In 2018, with road impact fees, LDOT installed a traffic signal at Bella Terra Blvd and Corkscrew Road. In April 2021, East Corkscrew Road widening, Phase I (Ben Hill Griffin to the east border of Bella Terra) started. As the Rivercreek development was planned and approved, working with LDOT, their entrance was aligned with the west entrance of Wild Blue. In 2023, the Rivercreek developer, GL Homes, worked with LDOT to fund a traffic signal. There is still hope the Wild Blue community will pay their fair share, as the warrants are not there for LDOT to fund a traffic signal.
New and Planned Developments: GECR Quarter 1, 2024
February 2024 Greater Estero Community Report Our 1st quarter GECR provides a comprehensive list of new and planned residential, commercial, recreational and transportation developments in the Greater Estero Area. This list is always a work in progress but...
The Impact of Urbanization: GECR Quarter 4, 2023
November 2023 Greater Estero Community Report Our 4th GECR summarizes the outcome of the recent Public Forum on the urbanization taking place in greater Estero and what this and other developments will mean for the future. Residents learned what initiatives are in...
Why Every Community and HOA Should Consider Having a Civic Liaison or Committee
Why Every Community and HOA Should Consider Having a Civic Liaison or CommitteeBy Mark Novitski, Consultant to Engage EsteroPlanning and Zoning - VillagePlanning and Zoning - CountyTransportationLee County School DistrictOverview A lot is happening in Southwest...
What is Estero’s Sense of Place?
What is Estero's Sense of Place?During the Community and Member Monthly Meeting held at the Recreational Center on Jan 25th, Tony Carangelo, Engage Estero’s Chief Research Officer, spoke about this important topic as Estero continues to develop and grow. Tony first...
How Impact Fees Support Infrastructure in greater Estero
How Impact Fees Support Infrastructure in SW Florida What you need to know.Most people believe “Growth should pay for Growth.” In SW Florida, specifically Lee County, new development should pay for the infrastructure to support the new development.by Mark Novitski,...
Update on Koreshan State Park’s former Sunday Farmers Market
Update on Sunday Farmers Market by the Friends of Koreshan State ParkThe Friends of Koreshan State Park reported on their Facebook page that they will be re-opening their Sunday Market at a new location starting Sunday, September 17. Starting at 8:00 am until 1:00 pm,...