City May Take Four Freedoms Park for Bimini East Developers?

On June 24th, I attended the City of Cape Coral’s open house for the Bimini East Development, and what I saw and learned there was both surprising and concerning. The City’s own PowerPoint presentation, which I’ve linked for transparency and verification, paints a very different picture than the reassurances we’ve been hearing.

💰 City Paid More Than Appraised Value

One of the first red flags? The City has already spent $43,416,871.93 acquiring land for the Bimini East project. According to the presentation, the appraised value of that land is $42,999,504.00, less than what was paid. This raises important questions about fiscal responsibility and transparency.

🚨 Page 24: “Possible Future Vacation” of Road Near Park

Perhaps the most alarming revelation is on Page 24, which discusses the "possible future vacation" of the road directly east of Four Freedoms Park. If this road is vacated and absorbed into the Bimini East project, it would give the developer direct access to the park's waterfront, a move that would likely change the character and use of the park as we know it.

🏗️ Page 28: Acquisition Plans Extend Beyond Current Parcels

The City is also eyeing nearby private properties, including the credit union and ice cream store, as stated on Page 28. This suggests the development area could expand even further, affecting local businesses and potentially pushing more public spaces toward privatization.

🗓️ July Developer RFPs and Water Access Concerns

In July, the City plans to issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to developers. Given the current layout of the parcels, it’s hard to believe any serious developer would pursue this project without guaranteed water access. And right now, the only path to that access is through Four Freedoms Park.

⚠️ What You Can Do?

City officials may say there are "no current plans" to remove or repurpose the park. But as the saying goes, plans change, and presentations like this one show intent.

📞 Call or email the City Manager’s office at (239) 574-0451 and ask for clear, written statements on:

• Whether Four Freedoms Park is at risk of being partially or fully incorporated into the Bimini East development

• The purpose of vacating the road east of the park

• How public access to waterfront spaces will be guaranteed

📝 Ask for written assurance that Four Freedoms Park will remain untouched, open, and public—now and in the future.

This is your city, your park, your tax dollars. The time to ask hard questions is now, before decisions are made that cannot be undone.

📎 [Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation for yourself.

Let’s stay informed and stay vocal. Parks belong to the people, not private developers.