Yacht Club Community Park

Yacht Club Renovation - USACE Permitting Overview

The City of Cape Coral has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) since 2021 to renovate the Yacht Club Community Park, which includes upgrades to docks, piers, and other park features. This process has involved extensive permitting and consultations with various agencies, especially following Hurricane Ian's impact in September 2022.

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USACE Key Timeline & Events

1. 2021 - City submitted initial USACE Permit Application to begin renovation plans for the Yacht Club Community Park. The USACE requested additional information, and the City withdrew the application temporarily while working on gathering the requested information 

2. 2022 – Hurricane Ian caused significant damage to the Yacht Club area, leading to changes in the renovation plans and prompting further reviews by USACE. In November of 2022 the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) raised concerns about the impact on Smalltooth sawfish, a protected species, and requested confirmation on certain protections. The City provided responses to these concerns.

3. 2023 – Ongoing discussions with federal and state agencies focused on permits and coordination, particularly concerning manatees, sawfish, and water quality. In mid-2023, USACE inquired about hurricane-related repairs at the Boathouse, including dock work and shoreline rock placement, some of which lacked prior City approval—an issue clarified during reviews. By late 2023, the City finalized responses to USACE on slip transfers, Boathouse rocks, manatee signage, and pier repairs.

4. 2024 – As of December 2024, the City is still waiting on final approvals and permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This includes final reviews of the slip transfers and the water quality certifications.

Yacht Club Renovations - FDEP Permitting Overview

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) issued the environmental resource permit on Feb. 13, 2025.

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FDEP Key Timeline & Events

1.  April 2021 – Initial Application

   • The City submitted its first application to FDEP to begin renovations to the Yacht Club, including slip transfers and environmental considerations like stormwater management and flushing of the basin.

2.  June 2021 – Request for Additional Information (RAI)

   • FDEP asked for more detailed information, including specifics on slip transfers and basin flushing. The City responded with the necessary data in November 2021.

3.  February 2022 – Submissions and Updates

   • A flushing study was submitted to FDEP for review, and internal discussions at FDEP about beach and boat ramp areas were ongoing. The City continued to provide updates as requested.

4.  September 2022 – Hurricane Ian Impact

   • Hurricane Ian caused severe damage to the Yacht Club area. This led to further reviews and questions from FDEP about the necessary repairs, including work on the boat ramp and beach renourishment efforts.

5.  April 2023 – Conference Call with FDEP

   • A call was held to discuss outstanding issues like the submerged lands lease, slip transfers, and the beach area near the Boathouse Restaurant. These continued to be focal points in the review process.

6.  September 2023 – Emergency Pier Repair Application

   • The City submitted an emergency permit application to FDEP for repairs to the Yacht Club pier following hurricane damage. This was granted with an exemption for repairs in the same footprint.

7.  2024 – Ongoing Review and Updates

   • FDEP continued to review the project in 2024, focusing on finalizing the slip transfers and verifying compliance with environmental requirements, particularly regarding the transfer of 51 boat slips from another location.

8.  November 2024 – Submerged Lands Lease and Conservation Concerns

   • Issues related to the submerged lands lease and compliance with a conservation easement on the D&D property have been raised. FDEP is working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to resolve these issues.
9.  February 2025 – Cape Coral Receives FDEP Permit for Yacht Club Community Park

• • The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has issued the environmental resource permit for the Yacht Club Community Park renovation, moving the project closer to groundbreaking. The permit will now be sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), with federal approval anticipated in April 2025. Once approved, the construction manager at risk will advertise the marine improvement portion of the project for construction bids, including relocating the boat ramp, reconfiguring docks, replacing seawalls, dredging, and redeveloping the 16.6-acre park.

June 2025 Update:
6/5/25 - The coordination efforts for the Cape Coral Yacht Club project are progressing, with the marine design bidding process currently active. Discussions are ongoing regarding the coordination between Upland and Marine design elements, and the permit submission process is underway with the city’s permitting office. 

May 2025 Update:
5/1/25 - The City of Cape Coral has received the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permit, the final permit required to begin renovations at the Yacht Club Community Park. With this permit now secured, the construction manager at risk will advertise bids for the marine improvement portion of the project. Design plans for the Yacht Club Community Park renovation are underway, with completion anticipated by November 2025.

March 2025 Update:
Fishing Pier Design - 60% complete - anticipated design completion is May 2025.
3/24/25 - Universal Engineering performing geotechnical work, such as soil boring (foundational work essential for the design phase).

Feb. 2025 Update: 
2/13/25 - FDEP issued environmental resource permit
Seawall & Marina - permits pending
Master Site Design - 20% complete - anticipated design completion is Nov. 2025
Fishing Pier Design - 30% complete - anticipated design completion is May 2025.

May 22, 2024 - Update (Shared during Committee of the Whole Meeting) 




May 8, 2024 - Update (Shared during Regular City Council Meeting)
Two options regarding reuse of the existing piles from the Yacht Club Pier, which was severely damaged during Hurricane Ian, were presented to the Council. After the presentation, the majority of the Council agreed that removing the existing piles to allow the new pier to be raised was the best option. The council also discussed the possibility of a temporary, shorter pier for the community. 

--> See Yacht Club Fishing Pier Reconstruction Presentation from 5.8.24 Council Meeting


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Public meetings to share details about the redesign of the Yacht Club were held on April 2, 2024, and May 7, 2024. Each public meeting included a presentation and a breakout to stations for individual Q&A. 

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April 24, 2024 - Update (Shared during Committee of the Whole Meeting) 
The project design firm presented updates to the Master Plan based on feedback received by the City Council in March. In addition, they presented an animated video simulating what the Yacht Club will look like when construction is complete. Click the links below to view the presentation and animated video.

--> See Yacht Club Master Plan Update from 4.24.24 COW Meeting


--> Watch Animated Simulation Video of the Proposed Yacht Club


April 10, 2024 - Update
Demolition kicked off at the Yacht Club Community Park facilities damaged by Hurricane Ian. The process began with the Tony Rotino Center. See a couple of images below and stay tuned to the City's social media channels for updates on the demolition and construction of the new Yacht Club facilities.  Demolition is expected to be completed by the end of May.

  

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March 13, 2024 - Update (Shared during Committee of the Whole Meeting) 
The project design firm presented updates to the Yacht Club Master Plan based on feedback that the City Council provided in January.  After the presentation, most of the Council selected Option 1 as their preference for the overall design. 




February 28, 2024 - Update (Shared during Committee of the Whole Meeting) 
Deconstruction and demolition of the original Yacht Club buildings and pool are expected to begin in late March or April and be complete by late May. 


January 17, 2024 - Update (Shared during Committee of the Whole Meeting) 
The project design firm presented a revised site plan based on the feedback from the City Council in November.  After the presentation, the Council directed staff to move forward with the Yacht Club's Final Site Plan, including adding a fourth floor to the parking garage.

November 11, 2023 - The Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The boat ramps remain closed. 
Note: Demolition of the main ballroom building, the Tony Rotino Center, tennis courts, pool, and Harbormaster's building is expected to begin in January or February 2024. The city will leave up the fence around the Yacht Club's facilities and have the contractors staged behind them and away from the beach and its parking. 

November 8, 2023 - Update (Shared during Committee of the Whole Meeting) 
Two updated park designs were presented to the City Council based on feedback provided in January. During this discussion, most Council members preferred to start with Concept #1 with a resort-style pool as the basis for design. They also liked some elements of Concept #2, including a curved drive at the entrance, a longer second fishing pier, restrooms on the southside being more centrally located, and a fountain or other water feature added by the park entrance. The design firm (Kimley Horn) will make revisions and provide refined concept drawings in January. Click here to view the meeting video. (Yacht Club discussion begins at 1:19:55)



October 31, 2003 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the US Army Corps of Engineers have provided the City of Cape Coral with the regulatory permits required to reopen the Yacht Club Beach on Nov. 10. In advance of the opening on Thursday, Nov. 9, Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter, District 1 Councilmember Bill Steinke, and City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn will discuss the reopening of the Yacht Club Community Park Beach area with the media, followed by a brief Q&A. 

October 25, 2023 - Update (Shared during Committee of the Whole Meeting)



September 20, 2023 - Yacht Club Beach Opening Update

• The existing bathrooms and two pavilions have been completely removed from the beach.
• Public Works and Parks has completed the Landside cleanup and raking of the beach using mechanical means.
• Public Works and Parks has completed the Waterside cleanup using manual means and dive teams. 
• The Florida DEP Emergency Field Authorization was approved for sand renourishment of the City beach property (Landside).
• The Federal permitting through the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is pending (Landside). (Critical path for the schedule)  
• Parks will purchase and apply sand to the beach per the permits within one month of receiving the Landside permit.
• Parks has a contract with a company that rents/leases temporary restrooms, which includes cleaning and maintenance. The restroom will be delivered and connected in the same time frame as the sand renourishment.
• Parks, Public Works, and Risk are coordinating the installation of signage for public use of the beach when it opens.
• After completion of Tasks #5, #6, #7, and #8, the temporary perimeter fence at the beach will be removed, and the beach can open.  
• The FLDEP permitting and USACE permitting for the Waterside sand renourishment is ongoing. The beach can open without the Waterside sand renourishment.
  
  

September 13, 2023 - (Shared during Committee of the Whole Meeting)

Click to see the Yacht Club Ballroom Reconstruction Update


July 19, 2023 - Update (Shared during Committee of the Whole Meeting)
          


July 13, 2023 - Demolition of structures remaining on the beach begins, including the restrooms and playground. 

July 10, 2023 - The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill reopened.

June 14, 2023 - Council Approves Resolution 152-23 for Additional Yacht Club Design Services
Resolution 152-23 approved Amendment 2 with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to provide additional design phase services at the Yacht Club. This includes design for deconstructive preservation of the buildings and fuel tank replacement design.

June 7, 2023 - City Council Meeting Update:
The Boathouse Restaurant is anticipated to reopen mid-July. Public Works is clearing the parking lot of debris, and the parking lot lights are being repaired. Temporary fencing and signs for closed amenities are in place, with adjustments pending for the Boathouse opening.

The public boat ramp remains closed to the community. FDEM and FWC are using the boat ramp for derelict vessel removal. Lee County is using the boat ramp to repair waterway navigation aids. These agencies will use the public boat ramp through Aug. 31, 2023. 

The Yacht Club Beach remains closed as the city prepares the beach for opening, which requires raking the landside beach, raking the waterside beach, and refurbishing the beach with new sand. State and/or Federal Permits are required to perform the beach work.

The existing restrooms, two pavilions, and the playground will be removed. The city plans to have portable toilets on site for the beach opening, which is anticipated for Aug. 31, 2023, pending approval of the permits for beach cleanup and all other tasks are completed.

The Marina and all other Yacht Club Community Park amenities are closed. If Council approves it at the June 14 Council Meeting, the city plans to proceed with plans to deconstruct the Yacht Club Ball Room building while saving elements for reuse in the new facilities. The deconstruction work is anticipated to start in October. 

The future waterside design and construction, including seawalls, a boat ramp, and the marina, is contingent on ACOE and DEP permits. If Council approves it at the June 14 Council Meeting, the city will move forward with the Landside Master Plan, which Kimley Horn will complete.



May 31, 2023 - Committee of the Whole Meeting Notes/Discussions:
* Yacht Club Update - 5.31.23  
* FEMA 50% Rule Presentation
* Substantial Improvement / Substantial Damage FEMA Regulations