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81 stories from downtown Bonita Springs and counting.
Chik-Fil-A Coming to Midtown at Bonita
A Chick-fil-A location looks to be in the works at Midtown at Bonita, the busy development along Bonita Beach Road just east of I-75. That puts it just a short drive from Bella for anyone craving a quick lunch or an after-errand milkshake. It's one more reason the Midtown corridor keeps growing into a go-to spot for everyday errands and bites close to home.
A resounding thank you to Bonita Springs voters | Opinion
Bonita Springs voters have given the green light to move the Bonita Estero Rail Trail from a long-discussed idea toward reality. Environmental review and track removal still come first, with visible work more than two years out, but the plan is to create a connected path through our community, giving residents a dedicated space to walk, run, and bike without sharing the road with traffic. For anyone living downtown, this kind of infrastructure investment means more ways to get around and enjoy the outdoors right from your doorstep.
Lee County reminds beach-goers to plan ahead for parking after Labor Day
Repairs to restrooms and boardwalks at Bonita Beach are moving forward as part of a broader Lee County effort to restore hurricane-damaged beach facilities, with federal funding covering the costs so local residents won't see extra charges on their tax bills. As construction continues, parking and access at Bonita Beach may be more limited than usual, so it's worth calling ahead or checking Lee County's website before you make the trip down Bonita Beach Road. The good news is that the work being done now means the beach experience will be noticeably better once everything is back in shape.
Bonita Springs Approves BERT Trail: Voters Say YES to Bonita Estero Rail Trail
Bonita Springs residents voted decisively in favor of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail this past August, giving the greenway project a strong community mandate to move forward. BERT will repurpose an existing rail corridor into a shared-use trail connecting Bonita Springs and Estero, giving neighbors a car-free route for walking, running, and cycling right outside their doors. For anyone living downtown, this is the kind of infrastructure that makes everyday life a little more connected and a lot more enjoyable.
Saltleaf Marina opens on Weeks Fish Camp site in Bonita Springs
The old Weeks Fish Camp spot at the end of Coconut Road has a new life as Saltleaf Marina, a 72-slip public marina sitting right on Estero Bay. London Bay developed it as part of their larger 500-acre Saltleaf community, but the marina itself is open to the public — meaning you don't have to live there to get your boat on the water. For residents who love getting out on the bay, this is a convenient new option practically in our backyard.
Bonita Springs stormwater project to reduce flooding risks
The City of Bonita Springs is moving forward with a stormwater upgrade that will replace existing drainage pipes and add two new retention ponds to better handle heavy rainfall. Water and sewer lines will be relocated as part of the same project, so crews can tackle multiple infrastructure improvements at once rather than tearing up streets twice. For residents, this kind of work is a welcome step toward fewer flooded roads and faster drainage after those intense summer storms we know well around here.
Bonita Beach Park Restrooms and Fort Myers Beach Pier Move Closer to Comeback
Nearly four years after Hurricane Ian tore through the area, Lee County commissioners took a meaningful step forward this week by approving more than $13 million to restart two major coastal recovery projects. That funding will help bring back the restroom facilities at Bonita Beach Park and push the Fort Myers Beach pier reconstruction closer to reality. For residents who love spending time at the beach, this is welcome news that the shoreline amenities you've been missing are finally on their way back.
Fort Myers Beach panel backs Silver Sands hotel
The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency has given the green light to a new six-story, 60-suite hotel called Silver Sands Resort, set to rise at 1207 Estero Boulevard on land where cottage-style accommodations once stood before Hurricane Ian wiped them out. The project, proposed by TPI-FMB Suites LLC, marks another step in the ongoing rebuilding of Fort Myers Beach, just a short drive from Bonita Springs. For residents who enjoy heading up to the beach for a day out, it's a sign that the Estero Boulevard corridor continues to come back to life.
SWFL homeowner pays $200K out of pocket after Elevate Florida denial
A federally funded program called Elevate Florida, meant to help Southwest Florida homeowners lift their houses above flood levels, has seen more than 10,000 applications withdrawn — leaving many residents to cover costly mitigation work entirely on their own. One Bonita Springs homeowner ended up paying $200,000 out of pocket after being denied assistance through the program. If you own a home in our area and were counting on that funding, it's worth checking your application status and exploring what other options might be available to you.
Estero advocates seek stronger Happehatchee protections
A group of environmental advocates showed up at Estero village meetings this week to push local leaders for stronger protections around the Happehatchee Community Center and the land near Estero River Park. Their concerns centered on making sure a 2019 preservation agreement is actually honored and that future development in the area doesn't chip away at what makes that stretch of the Estero River worth protecting. For residents who enjoy the natural corridors connecting Bonita Springs to Estero, this is a conversation worth following.
Lee County approves $13.4M for beaches, parks, pier
Lee County is putting $13.4 million to work on local outdoor spaces, with Bonita Beach Park among the sites slated for improvements alongside repairs to boardwalks and parks still recovering from Hurricane Ian's damage. The Fort Myers Beach Pier reconstruction is also moving forward as part of the same package of contracts approved by commissioners. For residents who love spending weekends at the beach, this is a meaningful step toward getting those beloved shoreline spots back to their best.
Now You Know: Estero mayor six-time ‘Home Rule Hero Award’ winner
Estero Mayor Joanne Ribble picked up her sixth Home Rule Hero Award from the Florida League of Cities at a Village Council meeting earlier this month, a recognition given to elected officials who actively defend local governments' authority to make decisions for their own communities. For residents in the greater Bonita Springs area, that kind of consistent local advocacy matters — it helps ensure that the towns and villages shaping our streets, parks, and neighborhoods stay in the hands of the people who actually live here.
SWFL member-owned golf club to build $110M clubhouse
Members of Bonita Bay Club are moving forward with a major $110 million clubhouse project, marking the last big step in a long-running effort to modernize the private, member-owned club. For residents living near the Bonita Bay community, this signals continued investment in one of the area's most established neighborhoods. The scale of the project reflects how seriously local clubs are thinking about the long-term future of Southwest Florida's residential communities.
Riverside Park Closes for Phase 2 Renovation — Reopens Winter 2026
Riverside Park, the green centerpiece of downtown Bonita Springs, is temporarily closed while crews install artificial turf, widen walkways, relocate trees, and add a new splash pad over at the adjacent Banyan Lot. If you have July 4th plans, you are in luck — the park will open its gates for the Star Spangled Bonita celebration before closing back up for the remainder of the project. The full renovation is expected to wrap up by winter 2026, giving the neighborhood a significantly upgraded outdoor gathering space to look forward to.
City Council Sends $35M Rail Trail Bond to August Ballot
Bonita Springs residents will have a say this August on whether to move forward with a long-discussed trail that would turn an old rail corridor into a nearly six-mile walking and biking path running right through downtown. The measure goes to a vote on August 18, and if it passes, homeowners can expect to see somewhere between $49 and $88 added to their annual tax bill to cover the $35 million project. For anyone living near the heart of downtown, this could eventually mean a connected, car-free route for morning walks, bike rides, and getting around the neighborhood on foot.
