INSIDE: Legal Notices
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Wednesday, October 23, 2024
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Jaycee Park closes in advance of renovations By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
Jaycee Park closed to the public Tuesday as a $16-18 million renovation of the riverfront park gets under way. Re-opening is not anticipated until late next year. A fence has been installed so site preparations can commence, city officials said. The park at the end of Beach Parkway is expected to remain closed until the fall of 2025, the target for substantial completion within 15 months.
“These significant upgrades will transform Jaycee Park, offering enhanced recreational facilities and new amenities for the community.” — The city of Cape Coral, in a release “These significant upgrades will transform Jaycee Park, offering enhanced recreational facilities and new amenities for the community,” the city said in a release issued last Tuesday. “The City appreciates the community’s patience while the park is closed and looks forward to unveiling the improved Jaycee
Park in Fall 2025, barring unforeseen delays. Periodic updates on the project’s progress will be shared on the City’s website and through official communication channels.” There will be periodic updates on the city’s website, http://www.CapeCoral.gov, regarding the progress, city officials said.
Bridge to close for Midpoint Madness Veterans Day 5K
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See JAYCEE PARK, page 4
Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill ravaged by fire
NEWS OF NOTE
The Midpoint Madness Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk will close the Midpoint Bridge from 6-9 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11. Motorists are encouraged to use the Cape Coral Bridge or the U.S. 41 and Business 41 bridges as alternate routes. Lee County Department of Transportation will place message boards on Friday, Nov. 1, to alert motorists of the bridge closure. For more about the annual Veterans Day event, contact the YMCA of Southwest Florida-Fort Myers at www. ymcaswfl.org/. Preand post-race activities will be at Royal Palm Square, 1400 Colonial Blvd., in Fort Myers. The race begins at 6:30 p.m. To sign up to enter the race, please visit https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Fort Myers/MIDPOINTMADNESSVeteransDay5K. For more about the Lee County DOT, visit www.leegov.com/dot or email traffic concerns to LeeTrafficTOC @leegov.com.
On Monday, Anne Berchtold of Save Jaycee Park said many members will be at the park Tuesday. “The fence goes up tomorrow, but that does not mean that destruction starts tomorrow,” she said. The group is not happy with the city's renovation plan and has worked for months to stop it, including organizing a petition drive that garnered nearly 8,000 signatures. Due to tight time constraints, the number fell short of the 22,000 need-
By JOHNATHAN MINEHAN news@breezenewspapers.com
Oktoberfest has tremendous opening weekend By CHUCK BALLARO
news@breezenewspapers.com
couple weeks ago, it was iffy if there would be an Oktoberfest in the wake of two hurricanes that flooded the area and knocked out power for days at the German American Social Club. Through hard work (and getting the power back), the organization was able to stave off the third cancellation of the event in five years and hold a very successful first weekend as tens of thousands — many bedecked in lederhosen or dirndls — to enjoy German music, food and especially drink. More than 10,000 attended on Saturday, and Sunday promised nearly as many patrons, who dodged some sprinkles to enjoy the day.
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Susie Zimmer, advertising chairperson for Oktoberfest, said things ran smoothly despite the rush to get everything ready. “We ran out of a few food items yesterday but we got back on our feet and we’re good,” Zimmer said. “We were on pins and needles for a while. We had no power after Milton, but minimal damage and just a little debris. We recruit-
See OKTOBERFEST, page 4 It was a day to get out your best dress and lederhosen and many did just that, including this large group at the 39th Oktoberfest at the German American Social Club on Sunday. CHUCK BALLARO
The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill has been popular in Cape Coral for years. Residents anticipated its opening in 2014. They watched the waterfront restaurant's months-long rebuild after Hurricane Ian devastated the Yacht Club Community Park in September 2022. They were happy the popular eatery was apparently left mostly unscathed from the one-two punch of hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused a days-long closure. On Friday, all happiness was dashed — the popular bar and grill caught fire Thursday night, becoming engulfed in flames in moments due to the high wind speeds near the water. The fire was visible for miles across the water. The Cape Coral Fire Department brought the blaze under control and put out the fire, but the Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill will again have to start over as the fire left a skeleton of charred framework, ashes and water-logged debris. “Last night, Cape Coral firefighters responded to a fire at the Boat House on Driftwood Parkway," the Cape Coral Fire Department reported via Facebook Friday morning. "The fire occurred just after closing and was called in by employees. Fortunately, everyone was able to get out safely. There was a heavy fuel load, including the thatched roof, fully restocked alcohol for the bar, and the windy conditions, which caused challenges for the firefighters who used handlines, elevated master stream, and the fire boat to attack the fire from the river side of the restaurant. The fire has been extinguished, but crews will be onsite most of the day to monitor the scene while the investigation is underway.”
See BOATHOUSE, page 2