In his most recent newsletter, Collier County District 1 Commissioner Rick LoCastro discussed a possible septic to sewer study for Isles of Capri.
“Great to see our much needed $250,000 county request for the Isles of Capri septic to sewer project study (the first step in a long-detailed process) got a big push by [State] Rep. [Yvette] Benarroch — and together we are all celebrating not only that top line item … but the nearly $7 million coming back to Collier,” he writes.
“Using Golden Gate City as a comparison (which started in 2017 — and is a much larger project than Isles of Capri) … from start to finish that will be a 20-plus year phased initiative. Citizen buy-in, funding for studies outlining the plan, lift station design, sewer connections, water reclamation facilities … and especially securing outside grants/funding to ‘buy-down’ the cost to each resident takes time … especially when other communities are competing for the same county, state and federal funds.”
“More to come … ” he continues.
All septic systems within Marco Island city limits have been eliminated through that city’s Septic Tank Replacement Program, which began around 2006. But in the beginning it was met with some hostility.
Project across from Verona Walk
LoCastro also addressed a project off Collier Boulevard, across from Verona Walk. “I’ve received a few emails from people who immediately saw mere concrete walls and thought they were building a prison – you have to give it a chance,” he writes.
“The parking garage currently being constructed was always part of the approved plan … and will eventually be heavily camouflaged. Much better than seeing a large visible parking lot full of cars from the road or from the overlooking Ole Lely residences. The finished product will look much different than what citizens are seeing now … not to mention the robust landscape they will be adding all around the project.”
Pandemic-era vacation-home boom unraveling?
A new analysis found that vacation-home purchases financed with a mortgage fell 65.8% between 2021 and 2025 in the U.S., dropping from 257,549 purchases to just 88,158 nationwide.
Since vacation homes are discretionary purchases, the category acts as a leading indicator for broader economic conditions, reports SellMyTimeshareNow. “Sharp declines in second-home buying may reflect changing consumer confidence, affordability pressures, and reduced financial flexibility — even among higher-income households that traditionally drive resort and leisure real estate markets.”
The report examines where second-home demand has declined the most across the country, ranking states and metro areas based on the change in vacation-home mortgage originations since the height of the pandemic housing boom.
Data for Naples-Marco Island says that 24.9% of housing in the Naples-Marco Island metro is used seasonally, recreationally, or occasionally and that vacation-home purchases in the Naples-Marco Island area fell 76.1% between 2021 and 2025.
The Naples-Marco Island metro ranked 8th among all midsize metros for the largest decline in vacation-home demand.
The full report can be found at sellmytimesharenow.com/blog/cities-where-vacation-home-demand-declined-most/.
Pup in CROW’s care recovering after surgery
The young coyote pup we first old you about last week, receiving treatment at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife after a suspected vehicle strike in Cape Coral has undergone successful surgery to repair a broken front leg.
The pup was admitted to CROW on May 8 at approximately seven weeks old with a broken leg and head trauma. Surgery was performed by board-certified veterinary surgeon Dr. Christopher Ferrell of BluePearl Pet Hospital in Fort Myers.
“I am always happy to help with the care of Florida wildlife to hopefully have them successfully returned to the wild,” said Ferrell.
The pup recovered well from the surgery and is continuing to heal in CROW’s care.
“We’re very encouraged by her progress following surgery,” said Dr. Jessica Comolli, CROW’s Research & Medical Director. “She will need continued rest, rehabilitation, and close monitoring, but every decision we make is focused on giving her the best chance of returning to her natural habitat.”
Since 2023, 25 coyotes have been treated or brought to CROW. The nonprofit wildlife hospital has seen 2,521 patients so far in 2026.
Live, work or play on Marco Island, South Naples or Everglades City? If so and you have something you’d like featured in Now You Know, send your information to mail@marconews.com.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Now You Know: Septic to sewer for Isles of Capri? A home boom busted?
Reporting by Will Watts, Special to the Eagle / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Will Watts, Special to the Eagle | USA TODAY Network
