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Lee County MPO to hold public hearing
The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization Board will hold a public hearing on Jan. 20 at 9 a.m. in Room 118 at the Lee County Administration East Facility, at 2201 Second St., Fort Myers, to consider amendments to the 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
The proposed amendments being considered include the following: ∫ Amend the Lee County project list to add the two to four lanes widening of Corkscrew Road from east of Verdana Village to the new Kingston Ranch Road in the 2031-35 time frame to address the recently approved Kingston Ranch Development. ∫ Amend the privately funded project list to add in the new four lane Kingston Ranch Road from Corkscrew Road north to SR 82 across from Eisenhower Blvd in Lehigh Acres. The project is added to the 2026-30 time frame and is being funded by the developer. ∫ Amend the Lee County project list to add in the widening of Corkscrew Road from four to six lanes from east of Fire House Lane to Alico Road in the 2036-45 time frame. ∫ Amend the Lee County project list to add in the new two lane roadway extension of Sunshine Boulevard from 75th Street to SR 80 in the Cost Feasible Plan in the 2036-45 time frame. ∫ Amend the state and federal funding project list to add in a project line for the Cape Coral Bridge Reconstruction Project to match the federal funding eligibility from potential discretionary funding sources (the funding for the project is shown under the Lee County project list). ∫ Amend the state and federal funding project list to add in a PD&E study for the I-75/Daniels Rest Area in the 2021-25 time frame that will be funded with carbon reduction funding. The study will look at adding up to 150 truck parking spaces to the facility. ∫ Amend the Cape Coral project list to add in a PD&E study for SR 78 from Burnt Store Road to 24th Avenue in the 2021-25 time frame to match the funding that they have included in their current year budget. ∫ Add in language to the Cost Feasible Plan chapter to address the type of projects that can funded with the new carbon reduction funding that is included in the new federal transportation bill.
The LRTP identifies the cost feasible projects for roads, transit and bicycle/pedestrian improvements through the year 2045. Information on the board meeting agenda can be found at www.leempo.com.
Hard copies of the documents are available by contactingtheMPOofficesat239-244-2220.Writtencomments may be submitted to dscott@leempo.com, faxed to 239-790-2695 or mailed to P.O. Box 150045 Cape Coral, FL 33915-0045. Written comments received by the end of the business day on Jan. will be presented to the board members. Public comments may also be made at the board meeting.
Historical village provides update on old Bailey’s store, Burnap Cottage
Recently, the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village provided a post-hurricane update on two buildings — the old Bailey's General Store and Burnap Cottage — as well as their histories.
Officials reported that the Bailey's store, originally called and still known as the Sanibel Packing Company, suffered roof damage in Hurricane Ian that necessitated tarping. The shingle roof section will most likely need to be replaced.
Inside, the storm surge came up about 2 feet or more, which required artifacts to be removed and disposed of. Officials noted that the flood waterline mark is visible on the original Frank Bailey's desk. The building required substantial drying and dehumidification. Also, the floors were severely damaged and buckled in many places, and they are hoping the floors will resettle as they continue to dry out.
Electrical outlets and wiring in the store are still being evaluated and may need to be replaced.
Officials continued that the Burnap Cottage emerged from the storm with a damaged roof and water intrusion through the exterior clapboards. Extensive drying and dehumidification was needed, and they suspect it may need selective demolition and stabilization. In addition, it appears the building may now be “racked, ” or tilted on its foundation. They are awaiting further reports from a structural engineer.
The Bailey’s store housed at the village is the second one. The original store was located on a wharf in the San Carlos Bay and was destroyed by the 1926 hurricane. The second store was rebuilt farther inland, but still on the Pine Island Sound near the docks.
Bailey’s was always the center of activity on the island. It had telephone and telegraph links, and the steamer, ferry and mail boats stopped at its docks. Islanders voted there, sent and received mail, and caught up on the news. In 1963, the Baileys moved the store to its current Tarpon Bay Road location.
Constructed in 1898, the Burnap Cottage was the oldest building at the village until the schoolhouse arrived. It was built on Woodring Point on land homesteaded by Sam Woodring, where he lived with his wife, Esperanza, who was an expert fishing guide. In the early 1900s, a minister named George Gatewood used the cottage to hold Sunday services.
Upon Sam Woodring's death, Hiram Burnap purchased the cottage and used it as a fishing retreat in the winter. Nellie and James Brewster bought the cottage and added a second story. In 1998, the building was donated and moved to the village and restored to its original state. Officials reported that some say, and Esperanza Woodring believed, that a ghost still haunts the building.
The Sanibel Lighthouse lens that was in use from 1962-82 is housed in the Burnap Cottage. The building also houses artifacts and memorabilia from the lighthouse and The Algiers, the Mississippi river boat that was meant to become Sanibel's first “mega mansion. ”
To donate to the recovery efforts, visit https://donate.sanibelmuseum.org/.
SANIBEL HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND VILLAGE
The old Bailey General Store at the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village sustained roof damage, storm surge and buckling floors as a result of Hurricane Ian.
The Burnap Cottage at the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village suffered a damaged roof and water intrusion due to Hurricane Ian, and the building may now be “racked, ” or tilted on its foundation.
DeCicco named bank president, CEO
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank announced Kyle DeCicco as bank president and chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1. He has been a member of the executive management team since 2020 and was named president in January 2022.
In his new role, DeCicco oversees all management and operations, while continuing to lead the commercial lending division. Founder Craig Albert has served as president and chief executive officer since the bank opened in 2003. Albert will continue to be involved, acting as chairman of the board. DeCicco's transition is the final step in a transition and succession plan that it approved in 2021.
DeCicco joined the bank in 2016 as vice president and commercial loan officer, focusing on commercial real estate lending and relationship development with local businesses and investors. In 2020 and 2021, he was instrumental in leading the efforts in administering the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program.
With more than 16 years of banking experience, DeCicco has worked in commercial real estate and lending, credit analysis, performing and nonperforming loan portfolio management, and management of FDIC insured loss-share assets.
He is a recent graduate of the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. DeCicco also grad-
Business Notes
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce celebrated the debut of the Blue Giraffe restaurant's food truck at its Periwinkle Place Shops location with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 5.
Co-owner Bill Letrendre said the food truck, with its limited hours and menu, will serve loyal customers while his two brick-and-mortar restaurants undergo restoration.
“The Periwinkle Place location was totally destroyed and must be rebuilt from scratch, ” he said. “The Beachview Estates location was not destroyed and will require much less repair to re-open … If all goes well the goal is to be ready by Christmas 2023 for both locations. ”
First launched on Jan. 2, the food truck has exceeded Letendre's expectations.
“The Letendres do the islands a great service by providing a convenient, central location where customers can enjoy a degree of normalcy with some of Blue Giraffe’s most well-loved dishes, ” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “We commend them for their ability to pivot quickly to keep their business vital in these trying times. ”
The food truck is open Monday through Saturday for breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and for lunch until 3 p.m. It is offering customers a choice of six breakfast items and 10 lunch dishes, including wraps, tacos, burritos, beer and wine. A number of tables, with umbrellas,
SANIBEL & CAPTIVA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce representatives were on hand to celebrate the Blue Giraffe food truck launch with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 5 on Sanibel.
provide seating for diners.
The Blue Giraffe first opened at Periwinkle Place in 2016 and at Beachview in 2020.
The Periwinkle Place Shops is at 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. The Blue Giraffe is at 2075 Periwinkle Way, Suite 14, Sanibel. The Blue Giraffe 2 at Beachview Estates is at 1100 Par View Drive, Sanibel.
Open For Business Post-Storm
(Editor's note: To add a reopened business on Sanibel or Captiva to the list, contact Editor Tiffany Repecki at trepecki@breezenewspapers.com.)
Grocery
∫ Jerry's Food, at 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Sanibel Spirits, at 1700 Periwinkle Way, Suite 6 Sanibel ∫ The Island Store, at 11500 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva
Restaurants
∫ Blue Giraffe food truck, at 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Cantina Captiva food truck, at 14970 Captiva Drive, Captiva ∫ Captiva Island Pizza, at 11513 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva ∫ Cielo, at 1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Gramma Dot's food truck, at 634 N. Yachtsman Drive, Sanibel ∫ Huxters Market & Deli food truck, at 1203 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Island Pizza, at 1619 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
∫ Jerry's Cafe, at 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, at 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Old Captiva House, at 15951 Captiva Dr, Captiva ∫ Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory, at 2330 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel ∫ The Sanibel Grill, at 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel ∫ The Shack of Sanibel, at 1219 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Traders, at 1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen, at 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Retail
∫ Barracudas, at 14970 Captiva Drive, Captiva ∫ Beach Stuff, at 14900 Captiva Drive, Captiva ∫ Footloose H2O Outfitters, at 1700 Periwinkle Way, Suite 4, Sanibel ∫ Jungle Drums Gallery, at 11532 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva ∫ Nanny's of Sanibel, at 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Rachel Pierce Art Gallery, at 1571 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Sanibel Surf Shop, at 1700 Periwinkle Way, Suite 10, Sanibel ∫ Sea Oats Day Spa, at 1149 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Whitney's Bait and Tackle, at 1554 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ YOLO Watersports, at 11534 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva
Service
∫ Bank of the Islands, at 14812 Captiva Drive, Captiva ∫ Bank of the Islands, at 1699 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Captiva Post Office, at 14812 Captiva Drive, Captiva ∫ SanCap Pak-N-Ship, at 2341 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel ∫ Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, at 2406 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel ∫ Sanibel Primary/Walk-In Care, at 2495 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel
From page 8 uated from the Florida Bankers Association — Florida School of Banking, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida Atlantic University. A Southwest Florida native, DeCicco serves as treasurer and board member of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools and a member of the foundation’s Grant Selection Committee. He also serves on the Heights Elementary Student Advisory Committee and is a Captain-level Keel Club member of the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades, among other volunteer efforts.
SCCF staffer facilitates summit
The Southwest Florida Climate and Community Summit took place on Jan. 17 in Naples.
S a n i b e l - C a p t i v a Conservation Foundation Coastal Resilience Manager Dr. Carrie Schuman participated as a facilitator during the tabletop discussions session. She and her co-facilitator, Rookery Bay Reserve Coastal Training Program Specialist Marissa Figueroa, led a group conversation about “improving the resilience of our coastal interface. ”
Originally delayed due to Hurricane Ian, the event represents a continuation of the SWFL Climate and Community Initiative's work to bring “together the collective voices of our community as we learn, develop, and enact solutions to protect our region. ”
The lineup of speakers and facilitators included representatives from groups working on resilience and climate change in the area, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District, Lee County Chapter of The Climate Reality Project, Growing Climate Solutions, and Florida Gulf Coast University's Water School.
Business Notes
NOISE Inc. announces rebranding
Outlier Brands is the next generation corporate brand name and brand mark for NOISE Inc.
Outlier Brands will continue the 36-year tradition and reputation of NOISE Inc. as an internationally-awarded brand activation agency serving clients throughout the United States and Caribbean.
The new branding is rooted in the company’s culture, work experience and people — three drivers that have made the company’s success what it is today as steady growth projections continue.
Outlier Brands provides more than 60 integrated services to bring synergy between internal and external audience brand championing. It serves all categories, specializing in destination, hospitality, dining, entertainment, healthcare, recreation, education, financial and social cause industries.
Since 1986, Outlier Brands has combined science with art, and strategy with inspiration, resulting in awardwinning creative outside the box, yet right on target.
For more information, visit www.Outlier-Brands.com.
