As you will see from this new (September 2022) “round-up,” considerable development is taking place in our community. The population along East Corkscrew Road is projected to reach 35,000 within the next decade. If Kingston and FFD develop to their maximum permitted capacities, the planned development could increase Estero Village’s population to over 57,000 in about 10-15 years, nearly doubling the current population. A comprehensive summary of all planned developments is provided below.
Some people have raised concerns about the guidelines of the Environmental Enhancement & Preservation Communities Overlay (EEPCO). It encompasses properties critical to providing regional benefits such as re-establishing wetlands, flow ways, hydrology, and wildlife corridors within southeast Lee County. The overlay provided an opportunity to achieve the environmental objectives by allowing for the possibility of higher residential density in exchange for developer commitments to provide regional benefits.
According to Dan DeLisi from DeLisi Fitzgerald, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in land use planning and civil engineering, the project aligns with the DRGR and meets almost all of the EEPCO criteria.
Current Planned Developments in Greater Estero florida
others disagree. A further debate seems likely, although the Cameratta developments at The Place and Verdana have incorporated necessary environmental safeguards into their plans for those developments.
If you add the proposed plans for Kingston and the Greater Estero florida Farms Development (GL Homes), the total will be 15,000 homes over the next 15 years. Therefore, if Kingston and FFD are developed to their maximum allowed capacities, the total number of residents along East Corkscrew Road is expected to exceed 57,000, as mentioned earlier.
It should be noted that the developer (Cameratta) has stated they will incorporate necessary environmental, and water run off safeguards into their plans. This includes removing a levy which impedes the water runoff from NE to SW. In addition, the developer plans to build a 2 lane each way boulevard from Corkscrew Rd to Ste Rte 82, and is working with the Lee County MPO and Lee DOT to extend Corkscrew Road widening Phase III to Kingston.
The Lee County MPO has also moved up the construction of the Alico Rd Connector from St Rte 82 and this could send some traffic North, rather than down Corkscrew.
FFD (Florida Farms Development) Project
- FFD is a 5,208-acre site on the south side of Corkscrew Road, just east of Corkscrew Shores and
- west of Six L’s Farm Road. GL Homes will develop the area consisting of farm fields, uplands, and wetlands.
The proposed project includes:
- 5,208 residential units (single-family and multi-family) 1 unit per gross acre
- 100,000 square feet of commercial uses
- 240,000 square feet of amenity area use
- Existing agricultural services, including 50,000 square feet of research and development
According to GL Homes Traffic Impact Statement, there would be 42,401 new daily trips from this project. The peak hour trips would be approximately 4,300 (in and out at the evening peak hour, around 5 PM.)
Verdana Village on East Corkscrew
Verdana Village, a Cameratta Companies, is currently underway on east Corkscrew Road. The planned community by Lennar & Pulte Homes showcases several collections of new homes styles and footprints.
Verdana Village will host an array of vacation-style amenities with a first-of-its-kind indoor pickleball center. In addition, residents have a Publix anchored retail shopping center outside the front gates. Heartland Dental and other tenants will join Publix, and the community will encompass 2,400 single-family homes on various homesites with lake and preserve views. When completed, The Shoppes at Verdana Village will have over 78,000 square feet of grocery, retail, medical, and dining and additional space for lease.
River Creek (formerly Corkscrew Crossing) by GL Homes is progressing.
- The new community will consist of 395 acres and 544 single-family homesites,bounded by Corkscrew
- Road to the North, Wildcat Run to the West, The Preserve, and Bella Terra to the East.
The homes will include single-family homes, twin villas, townhomes, and condominiums. The community features several lakes, and over half of the acreage is dedicated to undeveloped preserves. This residential community will have three phases, with a common recreation area. River Creek’s GL Homes’ grand opening will be on Aug. 27. The new home designs will range from the $500s-$800s
The New Estero Fire Rescue Station on East Corkscrew Road
Susan Lindenmuth, Director of Public Affairs, Estero Fire Rescue, has provided an update on the Estero Fire Station 45 Construction. The new Estero Fire Station 45, located on East Corkscrew, is well underway and is expected to be completed by this fall. You can view a construction video at Estero Station 45 Construction Tour.
The availability of this “state of the art” fire station will be a welcome and essential facility for those living on east Corkscrew Road. Response times to emergencies will be much faster, and having a Lee County EMS ambulance on site will further improve how quickly they can respond to medical emergencies. As with other Estero Fire and Rescue Fire Stations, firefighters will be 24-7 on-site, and those stationed there will have available: living quarters, kitchen facilities, a day room for relaxing, and a patio area.
Some of the significant features of the Estero Fire Station 45 include:
- A full-sized training room for in-house training and training classes open to the public
- A tower training facility on site that will eventually have live-fire training opportunities
- An EMS treatment room for walk-in emergencies
- A designated decontamination area of bunker gear with specialized washing machines
- Specially designed locker areas for the storage of firefighting equipment
- The design includes five fire engine bays, accommodating future expansion needs.
- A sixth bay will initially serve as equipment storage but has potential for future development.
- accommodate an additional fire engine at a future date
- An enhanced design that can accommodate firefighters and equipment from other
Residential Developments within The Village of Estero
Stock Commercial’s project- Estero Crossing
Located on the southside of Corkscrew Road, between Three Oaks Parkway and I-75, Estero Crossing (east of Lowes) will feature 306 apartments and 60,000 square feet of retail shops. It will be located closest to Corkscrew Road and will feature six three-story luxury apartment buildings.
Vertical construction is underway. The commercial space will be pedestrian-friendly, with brick-paver walkways, benches, and lush landscaping.
Various businesses have expressed interest in the high-traffic corridor, including restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating, other entertainment venues, boutique-style shops, and even health and wellness offices and studios. Current tenants include Chicken Salad Chick, Crisp & Green, Dunkin, Oak & Stone, Orange Theory, Restore Cryotherapy, Sherwin Williams, Affordable Dentures, The Joint, and Bubbakoo’s.
Estero to the North of Broadway
A 34-acre site located on the east side of US 41, north of Broadway and east of Broadway Shoppes, is under consideration for a mixed-use development featuring multi-family buildings, two mixed-use buildings, and proposed commercial uses. The initial phase will include the project’s backbone infrastructure, perimeter buffers, landscape, and streetscape. The County has approved Mixed-Use Planned Development for the development with specific design standards.
A workshop will be held for comments on the proposed mixed-use project.
The Reserve at Coconut Point (formerly Edera)
This development (a four-story, 180-apartment community) on Williams Road and Via Coconut is complete. The nicely landscaped development is on 13 acres at the southeastern corner of Williams Road and Via Coconut Point, just east of the Hertz Global Headquarters. Miami-based 13th Floor Investments have developed the project. The various-sized apartments have an outdoor pool, fitness center, dog park, resident lounge & more.
Genova
What began as a private gated community of luxury condominiums inspired by the Italian Riviera, Genova is now getting ready to debut its final phase consisting of 40 brand new luxury villas and townhomes, 14 of which are single-family homes. Genova is on the southeast corner of Via Coconut and Corkscrew Road and is built by CC Homes.
Open-concept floor plans with gourmet kitchens and outdoor living spaces are among the features that will be included. The resort-style amenities include lake and clubhouse views.
The Colonnade (on Corkscrew Road, opposite Genova)
The concept already seems to be popular. The Colonnade is a multi-family development proposed east of Sandy Lane, situated across from Genova. It will be the first Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Estero. There will be 92 independent living apartment homes, 64 assisted living homes, and 24 with memory care support. They will have resort-style amenities. We’re going to be a lifestyle community for older adults,” said Gigi Guerrero, sales and marketing manager for the Colonnade.
After reconfiguring some aspects of the project, we have added more open areas, including options for future outdoor dining. The balconies and covered lanais will mean residents will have open air and open space. Residents can still be independent and socially distanced if required.
Via Coconut (via Coconut on the west side of Genova)
This is a new 20-Acre development on the West Side of Via Coconut, south of Corkscrew Road.
- The development proposed includes 330 multi-family dwelling units, 29,600 square feet of
- commercial use, and a 10,000-square foot church or alternative commercial use.
The commercial development will likely involve an Animal Clinic, Banks & Financial institutions, a Bar, a Broadcast Studio (Commercial Radio & Television), and cinemas and theaters. The plans also include community gardens and a public dog park on the south side of the property.
Additional options under consideration for the development include restaurants, a convenience food and beverage store, a cultural facility, a daycare center, and a drugstore. A hardware store, Household and Office Furnishings, Insurance Company, Dry-cleaning and Laundry Services, Library, Post Office, and Medical or Dental Lab.
The developer has dedicated a Public Park on the overall site to the Village and will maintain it in perpetuity. They also plan pedestrian and road connections to the railroad right-of-way and Happy Hollow Lane. The determination of a crosswalk necessity will occur upon issuance of the development order.
This major development will add a wide variety of other commercial businesses to the location and potentially be a major attraction to our area.
Coconut Landing
The development is located off Coconut Road ¼ mile from the Coconut Point Hyatt Resort next to El Dorado Acres. Coconut Landing will have 25 single-family homes. Key features include open concept floor plans, customizable outdoor living with a private pool, and exclusive VIP membership to the Coconut Point Hyatt Resort.
West Bay Club
West Lake Court at the West Bay Club will have 26 Luxury Villa Single Family Homes (now under construction) with spectacular waterfront and golf views.
Additionally, a new high-rise named “The Island” has been designed by Garcia Stromberg. It will have a central core building designed to maximize the panoramic views from every residence. The new condominium will focus on outdoor living, an appreciation for sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico, and a rooftop amenity deck with a pool and fitness area.
The residences will have wider terraces with summer kitchens, expansive walls of glass, and premium interior finishes. The building will be 23 stories over parking (approximately 270 feet) plus 20 feet for rooftop equipment. The high-rise building will be built on Pod 5 at the West Bay Club. The building will have four units per floor, with two penthouse levels. The glass on the building will be non-reflective. West Bay Club is located at the end of Williams Road, west of US 41.
The Hospital Corp of America’s Property on US 41 (East side) just North of Hertz
The Hospital Corp of America plans to sell a large part of its property, keeping part of the site on the north side for a medical complex. The future of the property at Riverwoods Plantation remains uncertain as no contract has been agreed upon yet.
Milan Villas- Northeast Corner of Williams Road and Three Oaks
Individual Commercial Developments
Construction Begins on Lee Health University Highlands
Stevens Construction provides construction management services for Lee Health University Highlands, located at 19511 Highland Oaks Drive in Estero. It is building a two-story, 20,820-square-foot primary care office and outpatient center for South Real Estate Group, which is leasing the building to Lee Health. Located on the first floor, the outpatient center will house diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound, X-Ray, and women’s health services such as mammograms and DEXA scanning. The second floor will provide full-scope family medicine and include 16 exam rooms, a procedure room, and behavioral health services. The outpatient center will also have a lab draw station and an adult physical therapy clinic. 2023
Brightwork Real Estate, Estero Town Commons Place
The applicant proposes providing a convenience store with a gas station at the Estero Town Commons to service traffic heading to the interstate. They request a zoning amendment to include a deviation to allow a Wawa convenience store and fast-food restaurant with gas within 500 feet of an existing gas station to the North on Corkscrew Road. This property is located on the south side of Corkscrew Road on the parcel previously occupied by Ruby Tuesday close to Stoneybrook.
The New School Planned for Three Oaks near the Post Office
This proposed development is on hold.
The Development of the 62acre Land Parcel on the Estero River
Since the purchase of the property in 2018, considerable discussions with the public and architects about what would constitute acceptable options have occurred. The COVID pandemic, unfortunately, slowed this process.
The 30 acres south of the Estero River will stay as a protected environmental area after the council voted to change its zoning from mixed-use to a public park. This zoning change ensures that the property cannot be sold for commercial purposes in the future. The land south of the river is an area of natural beauty. There are many mature trees of several types, together with a wetland area and a section home to gopher tortoises.
The natural area will provide a peaceful environment for everyone to enjoy. Work on the nature trails is nearly finished, with construction throughout the site reaching about 80% completion. An attractive open fence will mark the property’s boundary along US 41 and Corkscrew Road.
The area north of the Estero river is still under discussion regarding the most suitable options. We hope for a timely decision on a suitable solution that enhances this attractive area within Estero, benefiting both residents and visitors.
The Lee Health Development on the Northwest corner of US 41 and Coconut Road
Lee Health has sold the land on this site. Coconut Road Greater Estero Florida Apartments LLC, owned by South Carolina-based developer Woodfield Development and ELV Associates, has purchased the land with plans to build an apartment complex and town center. Lee Health has expressed the wish that the developer should incorporate much of their original design in the new plans. These included housing, a hotel, medical offices, health & wellness facilities, an entertainment venue, restaurants, and open areas for public gatherings.
- The Estero land which sold for more than $700,000 per acre, is just across
- Hwy41 from the Coconut Point shopping center.
The Brooks Town Center Development Plans
We can’t report anything more on this proposed development due to ongoing legal issues. However, we’ll share updates when we know more
FAQs Greater Estero florida
1. What are the major planned developments in Greater Estero, Florida?
- Several significant developments are underway, including:
- FFD (Florida Farms Development) by GL Homes, encompassing 5,208 residential units, commercial spaces, and extensive amenity areas.
- Verdana Village by Cameratta Companies, featuring 2,400 single-family homes, retail spaces, and amenities like an indoor pickleball center.
- River Creek (formerly Corkscrew Crossing) by GL Homes, offering 544 single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums with extensive natural preserves.
- Estero Crossing, a mixed-use development with 306 apartments and 60,000 square feet of retail space.
- The Reserve at Coconut Point, a completed 180-apartment community with resort-style amenities.
2. How much traffic is expected from these developments?
- The FFD project alone anticipates 42,401 new daily trips, with approximately 4,300 peak hour trips during evening rush hours.
3. What infrastructure improvements are planned to accommodate these developments?
- There are plans for significant road expansions, including widening Corkscrew Road and constructing new connectors like the Alico Road Connector. Additionally, developers are working with local authorities to enhance road networks.
4. How are environmental concerns being addressed in these developments?
- Developers like Cameratta Companies have integrated environmental safeguards into their plans, such as water runoff management and preserving natural habitats. We design projects to align with Environmental Enhancement & Preservation Communities Overlay (EEPCO) guidelines to balance development with environmental preservation.
5. What amenities will these developments offer to residents?
- Planned communities like Verdana Village and River Creek include extensive amenity areas with recreational facilities, retail centers, and in the case of Verdana Village, a Publix-anchored shopping center.
6. What impact will these developments have on the population of Estero?
- As projects like Kingston and FFD reach their maximum capacities, experts project a significant population growth along East Corkscrew Road. Estero Village’s current population could potentially double to over 57,000 within the next decade or so.
7. What types of housing will be available in these developments?
- The developments offer a mix of housing types, including single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and luxury apartments, catering to various preferences and lifestyles.
8. How satisfied are residents and stakeholders with these development plans?
- Stakeholders have expressed varying opinions, with some concerns about traffic and environmental impacts. However, developers are actively addressing these through community engagements and adhering to local guidelines.
9. Are there plans for commercial and retail spaces within these developments?
- Yes, several projects include provisions for commercial spaces, such as retail centers, restaurants, and medical facilities, aiming to create self-sustaining communities with convenient access to essential services.
10. What are the timelines for completion of these developments?
Each project has its timeline for completion, with ongoing phases and new launches gradually shaping the landscape of Greater Estero, Florida.
