Cape Coral 5 things: City has come a long way in 60 years

As undoubtedly will be noted time and again this year, 2018 is the 60th anniversary of Cape Coral — at least of its conception. In its first half-century, Cape Coral has progressed from development to redevelopment, from concept to makeover, from birth to rebirth.

1.     In August 1968, in its 10th anniversary month, the Cape boasted 10,000 permanent residents, 242 miles of completed roads, 108 miles of completed waterways, 14 light industries employing 300 persons, and four  commercial buildings and a total of 240 single- and multi-family homes under construction.

2.     By 1978, Cape Coral had been incorporated as a city for seven years and the population was 25,000. The city now had an industrial park and 400 businesses, including two commercial banks. Cable television, a fire and a police department, a library and a post office, a hospital and a medical clinic, an elementary and a middle school ensured Cape Coral’s future as an independently functioning city.

3.     A funny thing happened in 1988; the city launched a series of four commercials titled, “Discover Cape Coral.” Aired as PSAs on local and national channels, these promos, featuring scenes of bicyclists and young people strolling hand in hand through a park and the requisite gaudy Florida sunsets, were intended to counter the stereotype of Cape Coral as home to “the newlywed and the nearly dead.”

4.     Apparently, the ads worked, for by 1998, Cape Coral had a population of nearly 100,000. A second bridge, the Midpoint Bridge, now linked the Cape and Fort Myers and the city was considering the construction of hotels to capture more tourist dollars.

5.     By 2008, the community redevelopment office was engaged in the beautification of its “downtown” Club Square section with 2 new sidewalks, park benches and decorative lighting. It seems that in its first half century, Cape Coral had matured enough to require a bit of a face lift.

Cynthia Williams (cwilliams1020@gmail.com)