Who’s Really Benefiting From the Jaycee Park Project? $765,639 💸
- Kyle L'Hommedieu
- Aug 27
- 2 min read
City records uncover a troubling truth: Fortress Secured, the company awarded the Jaycee Park contract for $18,081,607, doesn't appear to be performing any of the work. Instead, Fortress Secured shifted what seems to be the entire project to Florida Premier Contractors for $17,315,968 while still collecting $765,639 of taxpayer money. Fortress still seems to be moving the money between Florida Premier Contractors and the City of Cape Coral. The January 5, 2026 deadline? Yeah, that one's starting to fade into fiction too!
That's what the city tried to charge to get records. Click above to read about that!
This isn’t just about one park that made the community angry. It’s about how your money is being spent and whether the city is protecting the community or enabling a system that rewards middlemen and outside firms.
Your Money, Their Playground—Welcome to the Circus!
The Numbers That Raise Questions
$18,081,607: Is being paid to Fortress Secured, even though they are not doing any of the work, it appears.
One Primary Subcontractor: Florida Premier Contractors handled the bulk (we believe all) of the project.
Unknown Markup: No clear documentation showing whether the city verified the reasonable cost.
Underrun: If they come in under the $18,081,607 budget, the contractor walks away with 50% of the leftover money. It raises concerns about incentivizing subpar work just to save costs and boost profits.
The Big Questions City Hall Must Answer
Why was Fortress Secured chosen if the work was largely passed off to another firm?
Did the city approve this level of subcontracting, and if so, why weren’t taxpayers informed? (We're waiting on more records)
What safeguards exist to prevent inflated pricing and ensure real value for residents?
A Growing Pattern
This case mirrors a larger trend: out-of-town contractors landing lucrative projects, while Cape Coral businesses and residents are sidelined. It fuels the perception that our contracting process favors outsiders, not the community footing the bill.
When confidence in city leadership is already fragile, these deals send a dangerous message: profits come first, transparency last.
Cape Coral residents deserve answers and accountability. Who really benefited from the Jaycee Park contract? And why is City Hall letting it happen?
RESOLUTION 209 - 24 The Jayce Par Contract Between The City of Cape Coral and Fortress Secured. Referance Page 49 of the PDF.
The contract between Fortress Secured & Florida Premier Contractors. Referance page 85 of the PDF.
All information has been thoroughly investigated and reported by the Take Out the Trash Committee of Cape Coral and/or its authorized volunteers!
