Featured Events

Introduction.

February was a busy month, with many meetings among the East Corkscrew Alliance (ECA), Engage Estero, and senior officials at the county and local government levels. Those involved included County Manager Dave Harner, Assistant County Manager Christine Brady, Assistant County Manager and Chief Financial Officer Pete Winton, County Commissioner David Mulicka, County Commissioner Trish Petrosky, Estero Village Manager Steve Sarkozy, and Village Councilor Jeff Hunt. We are most grateful to all these senior officials for their time and their comments.

New Items

1. RT 951(The potential Bonita Beach Road to Corkscrew Rd new road). Any route through Larry Kiker Preserve is not feasible. Lee County MPO and administration are working with Collier County to draft a route further east.
2. Access to Larry Kiker Preserve from Corkscrew Rd. Many residents in Greater Estero have raised the question of enabling access to this Preserve from east Corkscrew Road. We were told this is a possibility.
   • Currently, the County is focused on the $27M water management contract. This effort will involve 2 years for design and permitting, plus 2 additional years for construction.
   • Access and activities will be planned after the water management construction is complete. Community involvement is essential to the planning process.
   • The Kiker Preserve Lee County Parks & Rec web page will be updated because water management efforts were not reflected on the recreation pages.
   • County rangers use trail cams to observe and catch trespassers – specifically e-bikes, motorcycles, and 4-wheelers.
   • Once completed, serious consideration will then be given to the access from East Corkscrew Road. Access may be available to bikers and walkers via a trail rather than a paved road. But no decision on this has been made yet.
3. A parcel near the Publix in Verdana has been identified as an outpatient health facility. Although not confirmed, Lee Health is rumored to be involved.

1. Concerns about poor cell service along East Corkscrew.
   • The attached cell tower map shows current and proposed cell towers.
   • Construction of the cell tower on the Bella Terra parcel began on February 9th, with operations expected within 90 days.
   • Lee County contracted for a cell tower on a parcel west of the Kingston development. Estimated completion is year-end 2026.
   • Concerns were raised during discussions with Lee County leadership and staff about the potential “hole” around the FFD Farms parcel (south of Corkscrew Rd, east of the Old Corkscrew Golf course).
2. The Kingston development.
   • Intersection construction and traffic signal are under construction at Corkscrew Rd and the Spine Rd (name to be determined). The Traffic signal is likely to be operational by Fall 2026.
   • Spine Rd, complete to St Rte. 82, will have a traffic signal at Ste Rte. 82 by winter 2027/2028.
   • The Developer has identified a parcel available for a K-8 school.
     1. No school(s) are identified in the Lee District School’s 10-year plans.
     2. Negotiations continue with Lee District Schools.
3. FFD farms property. We will continue to seek information on this potential development. The parcel is awaiting permits from the Corps of Engineers.
4. There is a potential new development (Corkscrew 80) across from Verdana of 85 homes! No update is currently available.
5. Details of the total number of homes coming to East Corkscrew Rd – within the Village of Estero, unincorporated Lee County, and Collier County are attached.
   1. Over 35k homes are likely to be built and in planning over the next 5-10 years, with an estimated 75k residents.
   2. Planners estimate 2.2 persons per home.
6. Corkscrew Road Widening.
   • Although signs identify Phase II widening completion by Spring/Summer 2026, with contract change orders – mostly Lee County Utilities – completion has slipped to December 2026.
   • The draft Lee County MPO 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan identifies no funding for Corkscrew Rd widening over the next 10 years.
   • MPO staff are estimating what could be accomplished sooner with a ½ cent or 1-cent transportation sales tax.
     • It seems unlikely that this will be voted on in 2026, but rather in 2028.
     • A detailed explanation of the proposal will need to be conveyed to the public, but this may not be ready in time for the 2026 election.
     • The widening of Corkscrew Rd from Alico to the County line was identified in the MPO analysis.
     • The concept needs the business community and resident support!

10. Transportation Infrastructure funding
    • Potential ½ cent and 1-cent transportation sales tax under review as mentioned above.
    • Potential future Board of County Commissioners discussions on impact fees are likely.
    • County administration is checking the website data for the latest impact fee data.
    • EV and Hybrid vehicles paying for road use
      1. MPO discussion identified that these vehicles already pay in other ways
11. Traffic concerns on Corkscrew Road. (These issues were raised in recent discussions)
    • Vehicle transport trucks that stop and block turn lanes are illegal. Contact LCSO at 239 477-1000.
    • Three accidents at Corkscrew (Rivercreek) Crossing Blvd/Wild Blue Blvd and Corkscrew Rd.
    • The Place residents getting into and out of their community, especially in the morning, is extremely difficult.
    • Concerned for buses loading and unloading students on Corkscrew Rd, and any concerns with the location of Bus Stops within communities.
    • Right in from Corkscrew Rd – right out from Newbridge Court Road for the self-storage, and Aldi’s.
    • Lee District Schools’ policy of no bus service if a 2-mile or less walk to Pinewoods Elementary School is deemed “safe” (with completion of the Village East Corkscrew Rd project). No bus service could add additional cars in the already maxed turn lanes on Corkscrew Rd.
    • Traffic signal at Corkscrew (Rivercreek) Crossing Blvd/Wild Blue Blvd and Corkscrew Rd.
      1. 1. Development order required funds from the Gas Station and Rivercreek.
         2. No requirement in the Development order for Wild Blue to pay.
         3. Cost share previously agreed between Wild Blue developer, Gas Station, and Rivercreek developer.
            1. Gas Station already paid $100k to Lee County
            2. Rivercreek has funds in escrow.

1. 1. 1. 1. Wild Blue HOA/CDD leadership does not agree with the cost share.
            1. Gas stations should pay more.
            2. Has no interest in funding the traffic signal at this time.
         2. Village of Estero Council member Zalecki and County Commissioner Mulicka in discussions

12. Village efforts on Corkscrew Rd Phase I – Multiuse paths, street lights, landscaping – on schedule for late summer completion.
13. No information on the parcel between Aldi’s and the self-storage.
14. No update on the zoned commercial parcel between Corkscrew Shores and Nature (CREW) Preserve. Expect no action until Corkscrew Rd Phase II is complete.
15. No update on the Village monument on the East side of Bella Terra.
16. There are no plans or funding for recreation facilities off East Corkscrew Rd

The East Corkscrew Alliance Communities Consist of

Bella Terra
Corkscrew Estates
Corkscrew Shores
Grandezza
Kingston
Rivercreek
Stoneybrook
The Place
The Preserve at Estero
Verdana
Wild Blue
Wildcat Run