VILLAGE CONNECTION – Capital Improvement Plan Update

The Village of Estero is continuing to place a major emphasis on capital projects in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, FY 2025-2026. The Village is planning a variety of projects that will improve the overall quality of life in Estero by removing pollution from the Estero River, improving traffic safety, and building and improving public parks. 

Each year, the Village develops a capital improvement plan which outlines expected spending on capital projects over the next five years. This plan considers funding that is projected to be available for capital improvements after Village operations are fully funded.

Highlights from the FY 2025-26 budget include:

• Corkscrew Road: Complete the installation of paths, landscaping and street lighting from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Bella Terra.
• Utility Extension Projects: Connect the Cypress Bend and Sunny Grove communities to central sewer and demolish their package wastewater treatment plants. Additional projects are expected in future years.  
• Broadway Avenue West: Planning and design of drainage, roadway, bike/pedestrian paths and landscape improvements along Broadway from U.S. 41 west to Armada Court. Construction is expected in 2027-28.
• Williams Road and Atlantic Gulf Drive: After delays in obtaining the necessary right of way, construction of the roadway and intersections improvements along Williams Road west of U.S. 41 are expected to start in early 2026.
• Estero Entertainment Campus: Finish site and building construction with opening of High 5 Entertainment in mid-2026.
• Estero Sports Park: Design, permitting and construction of Phase 1 improvements including an entry road, stormwater pond and two grass fields. Additional improvements will follow in subsequent years.
• Estero River Park: Complete Phase 1 construction (parking lot, restrooms, bridge and paths) and start Phase 2 — additional paths and a perimeter fence.
• River Oaks Preserve: Planning, design and permitting of park improvements including storage buildings, restrooms and trails. Construction is expected to start at the end of 2026 or early 2027.
• Estero River North Branch drainage: Planning, design and permitting of a regional pond along Three Oaks Parkway to help reduce flooding within the north branch of the Estero River. Construction is expected in 2027-28.
• Eco-Historic Planning: Study of the properties along U.S. 41 from Williams Road to just south of Estero Parkway to identify how the corridor could develop to take advantage of its unique location.
• Vulnerability Assessment: Study of the environmental risks the Village faces (including rainfall and storm surge) with recommendations to mitigate each risk.

The Capital Improvement Plan will be approved by the Village Council in September as part of the overall Village budget. The Village’s new fiscal year begins October 1.