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Tuesday, August 5, 2025

NEWS

REDEVELOPMENT

Outdoor music, parking exceptions approved for Beach Theatre redevelopment

Plans to turn the old Beach Theatre into a bar and steakhouse got a green light — but not without pushback. Neighbors fear noise, traffic and limited parking. Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved the project with strict limits on music, operating hours and valet parking.

FINANCE

Florida Trust Wealth Management puts trust in rebranding after 25 years

Sanibel Captiva Trust Co. is now Florida Trust Wealth Management. The rebrand unites eight Florida offices under one name and reflects the firm’s $5 billion growth. New branches in St. Petersburg and Bonita Springs will open with the updated look.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Charlotte County Airport Authority eyes budget with salary, fee hikes

Facing staffing shortages and skyrocketing insurance costs, Charlotte County Airport Authority plans to raise employee pay and hangar fees in its 2025-26 budget. CEO James Parish says some workers are leaving for higher-paying retail jobs, while insurance and infrastructure needs continue to climb. A nearly 100-person waitlist shows continued demand — even as rates rise.

CITY GOVERNMENT

Fort Myers residents protest ICE partnership at council meeting

A group of residents spoke out at the Aug. 4 Fort Myers City Council meeting against the city’s recent agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The partnership, part of ICE’s 287(g) program, allows local police officers to be trained as ICE agents. Though the agreement was initially voted down in March, Council later reversed course following legal pressure from state officials.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

LEASES

Industrial Maintenance Services Inc. leased 6,000 square feet of industrial space at 16131-1 Pine Ridge Road in Fort Myers from Boyce Holdings III LLC. Gary Tasman and Gretchen Smith of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida represented the lessor and lessee.

Emergency Dental Care USA leased 2,750 square feet of medical office space at 1228 SE Eighth Terrace, Suite A, in Cape Coral from Premier Investments and Management LLC. Gary Tasman and Vanessa Tyler of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida represented the lessor and lessee.

Heartland Dental LLC leased 2,600 square feet of medical office space at 2535 Santa Barbara Blvd., Unit 101, in Cape Coral from DB Padge Properties LLC. Gary Tasman and Shawn Stoneburner of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida represented the lessor and lessee.

Lotus Vape & Smoke Shop leased 1,508 square feet of retail space at 12995 S. Cleveland Ave., Unit 171, in Fort Myers from Pinebrook Pine LLC. Gary Tasman and Hanna Ray of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida represented the lessor and lessee.

HLYK Florida LLC leased 1,075 square feet of medical office space at 800 Goodlette-Frank Road N., Unit 160, in Naples from Healthcare Realty Services, LLC. Gary Tasman and Vanessa Tyler of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida represented the lessor and lessee.

NOTEWORTHY

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: BUILDER & DEVELOPER PROFILES

In October, Gulfshore Business will publish its annual Construction & Development issue. Also featured in this issue will be the Builder & Developer Profiles special advertising section. Construction and development are critical components of Soutwest Florida's economy, and the more than 55,000 monthly readers of Gulfshore Business are prime consumers of building and developing contracting, making them a target audience for your message. Don’t miss this opportunity to present your Builder & Developer profile to the many business owners and senior executives who are monthly readers of Gulfshore Business. For advertising inquiries, contact Advertising Director Chris Renstrom at 239-498-8517 or chris.renstrom@gulfshorebusiness.com.

MORE FROM GULFSHORE BUSINESS

INSIDE THE MAGAZINE

Fabricating opportunities

How SWFL is working to meet a growing demand for skilled tradespeople

Estero's master plan

How a sleepy stretch of U.S. 41 became the Boca of the West — one stucco arch at a time

Lodging lag

Hotel construction and demand outpace regional hiring recovery

A glowing art

Jeannine Reed and the neon revival

For banner advertising rates and information on Gulfshore Business Daily and GulfshoreBusiness.com, please contact Associate Publisher Tess Woods, 239.498.8504, or tess.woods@gulfshorelife.com.

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