Design team unveils draft visions for Burnt Store Road and Academic Village, asks residents for feedback

Consultants leading a city‑sponsored visioning process presented draft designs for two large, city‑owned tracts in north Cape Coral — the Burnt Store Road site and Academic Village — and asked residents to weigh in via live polling.

The presentation, described as a “work in progress,” laid out three alternatives for each site that combine environmental restoration with mixed‑use development. The team said restoring historic sloughs and sculpting pond edges could address stormwater while creating trails and boardwalks that make wetlands public amenities. “This project is creating the vision for the 2 city owned sites,” the Presenter said during opening remarks.

Consultants stressed the city owns both properties and will use the vision to guide future negotiations with developers, not to build private retail or housing directly. City staff confirmed the session will be recorded and posted on the city website and CAPE TV so residents can review materials and complete a survey after the meeting.

Why it matters: the sites are among the last large undeveloped tracts inside Cape Coral’s growing footprint; the consultants said the right mix of jobs, retail and public space could diversify the city’s tax base and reduce long commutes for some residents.

Next steps: the team will refine designs based on public and technical feedback and prepare materials the city can use in a solicitation for development partners.