CAPE CORAL, FLA. — Growth in the city of Cape Coral, is impacting local seawall repair businesses in an unexpected way.
The folks at Williamson Brothers Marine Construction tells Fox 4, they're losing access to vacant lots in the city.
They say they need them to store and load their equipment onto barges that they float down to their work sites.
According to the city's policy to use privately owned lots, they have to get written permission from the lot owners or face a $500 fine.
The company says they're now being forced to launch their barges from lots that are farther away, which is driving up labor costs and repair bills for customers.
"What would make our lives easier is if the city would let us utilize some of the city-owned waterfront properties," said Jimmy Williamson, Vice President of Williamson Brothers Marine Construction.
A representative from the city of Cape Coral says they're currently looking at waterfront property the city owns, to see if they can give these crews access to them.
