NEWS BRIEFS

ULI SWFL Focus Real Estate Forum to ignite insightful conversations

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Southwest Florida chapter announced its inaugural Focus Real Estate Forum event scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22 from 1:30-6 p.m. at Florida Gulf Coast University. The event will bring together industry leaders, professionals, and stakeholders, offering a unique platform for exchanging ideas, insights, and strategies shaping the future of real estate in the Southwest Florida region.

The Forum will include four deep-dive content sessions focused on recovery and rebuilding post Hurricane Ian, new development in our Tri-County area, growing trends in healthcare and conclude with Emerging Trends in the real estate industry for 2024.

Speakers include Mayor Dan Allers, Fort Myers Beach; Tim Aten, Gulfshore Business; Larry Buckner, Zonda; Scott Burgess, David Lawrence Center; Ben Freeland, Arches Bayfront; David Kistel, Lee Health, Jonathan Kling, NCH Healthcare; Matt Price, Seagate Development; Kenny Siggs, Christopher Alan Homes; Jim Zboril, L&L Development, Gary Tasman, Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida; Pat Utter, Collier Enterprises, Aysegul Timur, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Mark Wilson, London Bay Homes.

Following the sessions will be a networking reception. Investment is $95 for ULI members and $130 for nonmembers. Discounts are offered to students and public sector attendees.

The program will take place in room 138 of the Water School (Academic Building 9) at FGCU. Registration deadline for the Forum is Feb. 19. For more information or to register, call 800-321- 5011 or visit swflorida.uli.org .

Estero Park hosts free “Movie in the Park”

Enjoy a free movie under the stars sponsored by Lee County Parks & Recreation at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Estero Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero. The 2023 PG-rated computer-animated comedy “Trolls Banded Together” will be the main feature. In this movie, we follow Poppy who embarks on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite her favorite boy band and save them from an even worse fate than pop culture obscurity.

Food and shaved ice from various food trucks will be available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs.

For directions and more information for Estero Park, contact David Castano at 239-533-1470.

The City of Bonita Springs Citywide Cleanup is Feb. 24

The City of Bonita Springs will be hosting the annual Citywide Cleanup on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon. The city asks volunteers who are participating in the cleanup to meet at the Banyan Tree Lot across from Riverside Park, 10520 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs) to register/check-in and pick up supplies.

Volunteers will be asked to pick up litter around the downtown Bonita Springs area. Gloves and trash bags will be provided to volunteers by the city. The Bonita Springs Citywide Cleanup is a great opportunity for students of all ages who need volunteer hours, as well as anyone looking to help their community.

For questions regarding the Citywide Cleanup, call 239-949-6262.

Second annual Bonita Fest to benefit local non-profits

The second annual Bonita Fest will take place on Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Riverside Park in downtown Bonita Springs. Admission is free and open to the public. Attendees will enjoy live music, food trucks and meet more than 25 local businesses exhibiting in the park. A variety of local craft beers and domestic favorites will be on draft and available for purchase from a beer truck provided by Sun Coast Beverage. A family play area with bounce houses is sponsored by Sunshine Ace Hardware. Bonita Fest 2024 is also sponsored by RDA Consulting Engineers, Central Bank and Grumpy Goat Coffee.

Live music will be performed by DJ Memphis On Air, Edith Diamond and The Yabo Brothers. Food trucks on site will be Viet Yum, Pansardo, Alligator Creek BBQ, Cocktails and Things and Between the Bunz. Event proceeds will be donated to the Rotary Club of Bonita Beach Sunset and the Northside Naples Kiwanis Club. Businesses that would like to support the event via sponsorship or have a presence at Bonita Fest can email goatsofbonita@gmail.com to determine availability. For more event details, follow GOATs of Bonita at facebook.com/goatsofbonita

BSU invites members to March 19 annual meeting

Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc. will hold its annual member meeting Tuesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. at the Customer Service Center, located at 11900 East Terry St. Bonita Springs. At the meeting, the utility will report on the company’s financial results and operational highlights and receive member comment.

On completion of the December 2023 application period, three candidates applied and qualified for three seats on the BSU board of directors:

¦ Richard Garner, BSU board member since 2020 and current treasurer, who is a retired banking executive and real estate professional.

¦ Lawrence Kosilla, Jr., BSU board member since 2020, who is vice chairman of the Bonita Springs Fire Control & Rescue District and a licensed residential contractor.

¦ Mike Malloy, BSU board member since 2012, who is a retired vice president for client services at iES MACH, a San Francisco-based energy management company.

In accordance with BSU bylaws, because the number of qualifying candidates does not exceed the number of seats available and each available seat is for a three-year term, the three candidates will be declared as elected by the board of directors at the annual meeting without the expense of an election by the members.

For more information, visit the BSU website at www.BSU.us . ¦

The post NEWS BRIEFS first appeared on Bonita Springs Florida Weekly .