Engage Estero is pleased to announce two extremely important upcoming meetings. On March 17th at 5 p.m., we have the Public Forum that will address where “Estero is headed? What will our Future be like? Details below.
Then, on April 17th at the Estero Recreation Center, we have a review of our Road Infrastructure and how that is going to play out in the coming years, plus the latest on the I-75 expansion. You cannot afford to miss either meeting if you want to stay updated on the issues.
THE MARCH 17TH MEETING
Engage Estero’sPublic Forum
Shaping Estero’s Future: A Public Forum on Our Community’s Tomorrow
March 17, 2026, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
FGCU Cohen Student Union
Ballroom, 2nd Floor
The forum offers a collaborative opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Estero’s future and ask questions, thereby clarifying the issues that will shape Estero’s growth, development, infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life.
Engage Estero is hosting a free public forum to help residents understand the plans and ideas being considered to keep Estero a leading municipality for businesses and residents. Join us for this critical Public Forum, where your voice will help shape the direction of our community.
During the Meeting, We Will Examine:
• Growth & Development Plans ü Village Collaborations with FGCU
• Arts & Culture Expansion ü Support for Entrepreneurs
• Our Future Healthcare Services ü Workforce Housing Implementation
• Annexation prospects ü Education (schools and teacher retention)
• Traffic & Infrastructure ü Community Values
• Environmental Issues & Water Quality ü Resilience /Protection
Our panel of experts will include:
• David Hoffmann, Founder and Chairman of the Hoffmann Group of Companies.
• Aysegül Timur, Ph.D., President of Florida Gulf Coast University
• Chris Simoneau, Lee Health’s Chief Development, Marketing & Communications Officer
• Steve Sarkozy, The Village of Estero’s Manager
The plan for the evening:
• Each panelist will deliver a 10-minute reflection on what they see as the key factors shaping Estero’s future.
• Questions submitted by the public and forwarded to Engage Estero leadership will be grouped to help the panelists cover the main points more efficiently.
• The public will have the opportunity to ask any remaining questions they feel haven’t been addressed, followed by a final comment from the panelists.
The forum is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. You can reserve your spot on the Engage Estero website at https://esterotoday.com/event/march2026/
THE APRIL 17TH MEETING
Don’t Miss this Very Important Traffic Update Meeting!!
On April 17th at 10 a.m., the Estero Recreation Center.
Topics:
1) The Latest Information on the I-75 Expansion between Corkscrew Road and Golden Gate Parkway.
2) Planned Road Developments: Funding, Timing, Implications.
Engage Estero’s management team is very pleased to have the agreement of Don Scott, AICP, Executive Director, Lee County’s Metropolitan Planning Office, and Brian Bollas, Community Outreach Manager, Florida Department of Transportation, District 1, to discuss these important issues as they relate to us in Greater Estero.
Don Scott: Within the MPO’s remit is the need to provide leadership and promote regional mobility, and foster sustainable development. Don will cover:
• Why developments are outpacing road infrastructure.
• Can we catch up?
• Funding options: – what is feasible and what are the ramifications. e.g. Increasing sales tax, Impact fees, gas tax.
• How can the recommendations of the Estero 2024 Traffic Study be implemented? What can we do about it?
• What does the future of transportation in our area look like?
Brian Bollas, will address:
• What FDOT has learned from feedback from residents and HOAs concerned about the expansion of I-75. This will involve 6 lanes expanding to 10 through the Estero area.
• What FDOT will consider as the options to help alleviate traffic noise for those communities close to the highway.
• Latest timelines for the project.
•Next steps.
Please come and listen to these important updates on issues that concern so many people in Greater Estero.
As seating is somewhat limited and interest in the meeting is likely to be high, please register your intention to attend as soon as possible.
14TH ANNUAL BREAKING PAR FOR EDUCATION, MARCH 21ST & 22ND
Come enjoy the Luau Theme Gala at Grandezza on Sunday, March 22 and support Estero Education. You won’t want to miss the fun, delicious cuisine and the incredible live and silent auction items at this 14th Annual Breaking Par Gala. Happy Hour starts at 5:30 p.m. The students of LEAD Estero will provide a tropical paradise that is sure to please.
Jim Shields is Guest of Honor for this year’s event. Jim started Breaking Par for Education 14 years ago. His commitment to Estero and especially to Estero Education is well known. He received the prestigious Don Eslick Estero Person of the Year award two years ago. Come honor him and what he has done for our community.
Secure your tickets today at this website LeadEstero.ejoinme.org/BreakingPar26
Tickets are $150 per person or bring your friends for a great night of fun and get a table of 8 for $1,000. That’s a savings of $25 per person reducing the cost to $125 per person. Registrations can also be made online or by clicking on the QR code in the attached flyer.
No need to come dressed in a costume for the event, but they are welcomed!
On Saturday, March 21st, Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our nation’s independence at the Breaking Par Shotgun Golf Scramble starting at 8:30 a.m. Hit the green on the Grandezza links featuring lots of fun games and followed by lunch to announce the Tournament winners.
Come wearing your Red, White and Blue as we celebrate the Semiquincentennial.
Individual tickets are $150 but gather a foursome of friends for only $500. Registrations can be made online by clicking on the QR code in the attached flyer or by visiting LeadEstero.ejoinme.org/BreakingPar26.
For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or 239-707-5418.
Both the Gala and Golf Tournament are produced by LEAD Estero with the support of host Engage Estero. All proceeds will fund LEAD Estero Educational Initiatives.
Breaking Par for Education over the past 13 years has produced a total net proceeds of $746,000. Thanks for your past and continued support. Come join us this year for a good time supporting a worthy cause.
