The Future of Estero: Public Forum
October 25 @ 6:00 pm EDT
FreePublic Forum
Greater Estero’s Future :
The Impact of Urbanization and Development
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
6:00 pm
FGCU Cohen Ballroom
A Panel Discussion featuring local experts moderated by Shelton Weeks, FGCU Professor of Economics and Finance.
Engage Estero is conducting a free public forum on the impact of urbanization and land development and how it will affect Estero’s future. The platform features expert panelists on land development and smart growth issues facing greater Estero. The discussion will focus on the impact of urbanization as more people come to live in greater Estero and the current and projected level of development in greater Estero.
If you have concerns or would like to learn more about current and future land use development in greater Estero, join this informative forum that will provide insights into land development and future use projections.
Seating is limited, and reservations are required. You can reserve your spot on the Engage Estero website at https://www.esterotoday.com/event/futureforum.
You will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the questions to the panel. Can’t attend? The forum will be recorded and posted to our YouTube channel.
Dr. Aysegul Timur, Opening Remarks
President of FGCU
Aysegul Timur, Ph.D., was selected to become Florida Gulf Coast University’s fifth president on May 4, 2023, and was confirmed by the Florida Board of Governors on June 22, 2023. Timur’s selection as FGCU’s next leader is historic, as she is the first woman and immigrant selected to lead the university.
Dr. Shelton Weeks, Moderator
Professor of Economics and Finance
Dr. H. Shelton Weeks is the Lucas Professor of Real Estate and Director of the Lucas Institute for Real Estate Development & Finance. He teaches corporate finance, investments, and real estate. Dr. Weeks has extensive industry experience in real property valuation, emphasizing senior living projects. Dr. Weeks serves on the academic review panel of The Appraisal Journal and is the former Managing Editor of the Journal of Housing Research and former co-editor of the Journal of Real Estate Practice and Education.
Key Concerns
The impact and benefits of inevitable urbanization in Estero – yes, it is here and growing. Urbanization is the process through which cities typically grow, and higher and higher percentages of the population come to live.
Mixed-use developments, a type of urban development that blends multiple uses, such as residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or entertainment, into one space and represents most projects critical to creating public amenities.
How developers and planners will address concerns about the impact of urbanization and water quality and quantity.
It’s all about creative and adaptive reuse that spans economic, social, and ecological benefits. Selected benefits include sustainability, addressing carbon burdens in the built environment and reusing existing materials and infrastructure, avoiding new-construction costs, and low acquisition costs.
Why the retail landscape is undergoing significant shifts due to changing consumer behaviors, the continued immersion of e-commerce into our daily lives, and how retail spaces’ re-purposing benefits our communities.
Submit a Question to the Forum
The Experts
Daniel DeLisi
Land use planning and water/environmental policy consultant
Daniel DeLisi is a local water and environmental policy consultant/lobbyist and land use planner for local governments, agricultural property owners, and developers interested in ecological enhancement. In May 2011, he was appointed to the water district governing board. DeLisi earned his master’s degree in city planning at MIT and is a partner in a Fort Myers consulting firm specializing in land use and civil engineering.
Ross McIntosh
Senior commercial real estate broker and respected speaker
Ross Mcintosh has sold and assembled billions of dollars for land development or re-purposing in Lee and Collier counties. Ross has been located in Naples, Florida, for approximately 21 years. He previously served as Vice President of Axios Systems Inc., engaging and promoting developing, producing, and distributing computer software and computer systems design.
Steve Sarkozy
Village of Estero Manager
Steven R. Sarkozy serves as the Village Manager in Estero, Florida. As Village Manager, Sarkozy serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Village, responsible to the Village Council. He keeps the Council fully advised on the financial condition and future needs of the Village and makes such recommendations to the Council. Steve came to the Village in November 2015 with 45 years of local government experience, the latest as City Manager for the City of Carlsbad, California. He also served as City Manager to the City of Bellevue, Washington; the City of Roseville, Minnesota; and the City of Geneva, New York.
Jim Wallace
Key principal of Jim Wallace & Associates, LLC.
Since 1990, Jim Wallace has designed, marketed, and built 2,134 for-sale residences in 5 communities, including Piper’s Grove and Calusa Bay in Naples, Florida, Lighthouse Bay at the Brooks, and Rapallo in Estero. He designed, marketed and built over 2300 in 6 resort-lifestyle communities including Piper’s Grove and Calusa Bay in Naples and Lighthouse Bay, Rapallo and Genova in Estero. Prior to immigrating to Florida in 1990, Jim was Creative Director and Managing Partner of Publicite Wallace/Saffer in Montreal, Canada. He currently serves on the Village of Estero Planning, Zoning and Design Board. Jim taught Real Estate Development Practicum at Florida Gulf Coast University in 2019 and 2020.
Thanks to our Sponsor
RSVP
Individual reservation for attendance.
