Posts by Bruno Zanini

LEE HEALTH BREAKS GROUND ON THE NEW FORT MYERS HOSPITAL

Slated to open in early 2028, the newest Lee Health hospital is state-of-the-art.

Lee Health’s newest hospital in Fort Myers has now officially broken ground. This milestone marks the beginning of a significant project that will help meet the growing healthcare needs of Southwest Florida. The hospital, located at the intersection of Challenger Boulevard and Colonial Boulevard, near I-75, will be Lee Health’s most advanced facility to date.

The new hospital will cover 560,000 square feet on a 53-acre site. It will have 168 beds, including 24 ICU beds, 44 emergency department beds, and 10 operating rooms for inpatient care. Along with the hospital, there will be a 125,000 square foot medical office and surgery center, which will house the Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute, focused on orthopedic surgeries and treatments. Built to withstand Florida’s weather, the hospital will include hurricane-resistant construction and backup generators to ensure reliable care during any potential severe conditions.

Expected to be completed in early 2028, this new hospital will provide specialized care and room for future growth. Beyond improving healthcare, the new hospital will also serve as a significant economic driver for the area, creating hundreds of jobs and supporting the local economy.

We’ve had the privilege of working alongside Lee Health for many years, contributing to nearly every hospital in their network across Southwest Florida, including Lee Memorial Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center, Cape Coral Hospital, and numerous outpatient facilities. Now, we’re proud to be part of the new Fort Myers Hospital project as well. As the civil engineering firm responsible for the site design, utilities, stormwater management, traffic analysis, and infrastructure, Johnson Engineering has been an integral part of this project from the very beginning, working alongside Flad Architects the entire way.

Being a part of this project is about more than just engineering-it’s about contributing to the health and well-being of our community. We are proud to be part of a state-of-the-art facility that will provide essential healthcare services to our neighbors, as well as our coworkers, friends, and family members. This project reflects our commitment to not only supporting Lee Health but also creating a lasting impact on our region.

We look forward to continuing our work with Lee Health on other projects and seeing the new Fort Myers Hospital come to life. For more information on this project, contact Dana Hume, PE, at [email protected].

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JOHNSON ENGINEERING NOW OFFERS IBNB PERMITTED MONITORING SERVICES

We are excited to announce that we now have certified Imperiled Beach-Nesting Bird (IBNB) Permitted Monitors on staff! Four members of our environmental team, Dr. Jennifer Korn, CWB; Savannah Richman, CE; Greg Thomas, CE; and David Isley, have completed specialized training and certification with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), enabling us to offer IBNB monitoring services to our clients.

As of October 2024, project activities authorized through an FWC Incidental Take Permit require the oversight of an IBNB Permitted Monitor. These monitors are trained to identify and survey shorebird and seabird species, including American oystercatchers, snowy plovers, least terns, and black skimmers, which are considered imperiled in Florida. Our monitors are equipped to help avoid harm or disturbance to these species during project activities, ensuring compliance with FWC regulations.

Our team’s expertise in bird identification and avian survey techniques, combined with their experience monitoring active nests, allows us to provide valuable support to clients engaged in projects near sensitive beach-nesting bird habitats. With our newly acquired certification, Johnson Engineering is well-positioned to help you navigate the requirements of IBNB monitoring, ensuring both regulatory compliance and environmental protection.

We are excited to offer this expanded service and look forward to working with our clients on future projects. For more information on how we can assist on your projects, please contact our Director of Water Resources & Environmental Services, Laura Brady Herrero at [email protected].

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CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR WATER WELL CONTRACTORS: A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO PROTECT FLORIDA’S GROUNDWATER

On February 20, 2025, the Johnson Engineering Water Resources Department in Fort Myers, Florida, partnered with Lee County’s Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) to offer continuing education courses for the Water Well Contractor Continuing Education Program. These courses provided valuable insight into critical industry topics, ensuring professionals stay informed about regulatory compliance and best practices.

The sessions featured an overview of Water Well Permitting and Construction Requirements (Chapter 62-532, FAC) and New Potable Water Well Permitting in Delineated Areas (Chapter 62-524, FAC), led by Johnson Engineering geologist, Alec Piironen, PG. Additionally, Johnson Engineering’s electrical engineer, Wayne Wright, PE, led a session on the application of Surge Protection Devices. These topics are crucial for water well contractors as they navigate regulatory requirements and industry standards.

The classroom setting provided a unique opportunity for attendees to engage in face-to-face discussions with regulatory staff, contractors, and consultants, fostering interactive conversations and knowledge exchange. For the Johnson Engineering team, this event was a valuable chance to network and collaborate with other professionals dedicated to safeguarding Florida’s vital groundwater resources.

We’d like to extend a special thank you to Lee County’s Groundwater Manager, Lee Werst, and the entire LCDNR team for their dedication to providing publicly available resources and overseeing the construction, abandonment, and modification of groundwater wells within Lee County, Florida. Their commitment plays a vital role in ensuring the sustainability of our County’s groundwater.

Together, we continue working toward a safer and more sustainable future for Florida’s water resources.  For more information, contact Alec Piironen, PG at [email protected].

 

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Expanding Our Services Under Apex Companies

As we continue to navigate the path of integration into Apex Companies, Johnson Engineering, Weiler Engineering, and Water Science can now work as a united team as the newest members of the Apex family. This exciting expansion allows us to offer even more comprehensive solutions for client projects. While we remain the same trusted local team, we can bring a broader range of services to the table.

With Apex’s expertise in environmental remediation, water treatment, and energy management, along with Weiler’s civil and structural engineering, and Water Science’s advanced water resource solutions, we can now provide a complete suite of services under one roof. Our combined teams have worked on many well-known, large-scale projects throughout Southwest Florida, delivering innovative solutions to complex challenges. Whether you need help with site development, stormwater management, water quality services, or environmental assessments, our team is ready to deliver the best solutions for your projects.

With more resources at our disposal, we’re better equipped to ensure your projects succeed from start to finish. This integration of expertise allows us to team up more seamlessly, offering you the best possible service and cutting-edge solutions, all while maintaining the local knowledge and commitment you’ve come to expect.

We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting your goals with our expanded capabilities. For more information on all the services we can offer, please visit our websites: apexcos.com, weilerengineering.org, waterscienceassociates.com, johnsonengineering.com, or contact Juli Kern at [email protected].

 

 

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BUILDING THE FUTURE OF SENIOR LIVING: THE OAKS AT CYPRESS COVE

As part of the expansion of Cypress Cove, The Oaks at Cypress Cove is a newly developed independent living community located just across the street from HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers, Florida.

Johnson Engineering played a pivotal role in the development of The Oaks at Cypress Cove, the newest independent living neighborhood within Cypress Cove, a Life Plan Community located in Fort Myers. Our team provided comprehensive site civil, utilities, and water management infrastructure design, ensuring the community meets the highest standards for both functionality and sustainability.

Designed for active older adults, The Oaks at Cypress Cove encourages an independent, active lifestyle while offering convenient access to healthcare services. Cypress Cove is a well-established senior living community for individuals 62 years and older, offering a range of living options such as independent living, assisted living, memory care assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitative services. The Oaks at Cypress Cove is the newest addition to this community, featuring 12 acres of gated luxury living with 48 independent living units. The development includes 24 elevated residences and 24 villas, all equipped with smart-home technology for enhanced convenience and security.

The development also integrates two new lakes into the six existing lakes throughout the HealthPark and Cypress Cove campus. Designed with both environmental sustainability and community needs in mind, these lakes play a crucial role in water conservation, a priority in the unpredictable climate of Southwest Florida. The upper lake is lined to reduce water loss through seepage, making it especially effective for water conservation. Water is pumped from the lower lake to the upper lake, where it flows back down through a cascading waterfall rock feature, creating a visually stunning and functional water system. This setup not only improves water quality by promoting aeration but also supports healthy water circulation. To further enhance circulation and maintain water health, fountains are strategically placed throughout the system.

In addition to these environmentally conscious features, The Oaks at Cypress Cove also offers a variety of amenities that promote an active and social lifestyle. The Greenway Trail is a natural pathway connecting The Oaks neighborhood and The Villas neighborhood at Cypress Cove. This thoughtfully designed trail promotes an active and vibrant lifestyle, featuring tennis and pickleball courts, a dog park, and a lakeside pavilion—perfect for gathering with friends or enjoying peaceful moments outdoors.

This project goes beyond creating another luxury living community; it’s about addressing the growing needs of Southwest Florida, a region with an expanding retiree population. As demand for senior living options continues to rise, developments like this provide a vital resource, offering high-quality living options in a thriving and supportive environment. By focusing on independence and access to healthcare, this new community ensures residents can continue to live comfortably and safely, with peace of mind.

We are honored to contribute to projects that meet the needs of our community. The Oaks at Cypress Cove not only enhances the entire Cypress Cove campus but also benefits the broader Southwest Florida region by offering a thoughtfully designed and sustainable environment for older adults. It’s a privilege to help develop senior living communities that provide both independence and security, addressing the evolving needs of our growing retiree population. This project exemplifies our commitment to the future of our community, ensuring that Southwest Florida remains a vibrant and welcoming place for all.

For more information on this project, contact Dana Hume, PE, at [email protected]

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RESILIENCE IN RECOVERY: TRACKING SANIBEL’S HYDROLOGY POST-HURRICANE IAN

Sanibel is a 12-mile-long barrier island located off the coast of Lee County, near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. Sanibel contains two large freshwater basins – the Sanibel River West Basin and the Sanibel River East Basin – which serve as essential freshwater reservoirs for the island. Protecting these freshwater systems is crucial for preserving the island’s native flora and fauna, as well as conserving the freshwater in the surficial aquifer beneath the island.

When Hurricane Ian made landfall in late September 2022, the island was inundated with storm surge, causing saltwater contamination of freshwater ponds and wetlands. Since Ian, there has been a noticeable loss of vegetation, and a general sense amongst residents that the island’s hydrology has changed.

One method to measure changes in vegetation health is through the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which uses satellite imagery to assess vegetation density and greenness by comparing red and near-infrared light reflections. Johnson Engineering processed hundreds of images from NASA/USGS Landsat 8 satellite from 2013 to 2023, creating long-term NDVI averages before and after Hurricane Ian (see Figures 1 and 2). These images clearly show the hurricane’s devastating impact on plant life across the island.

Historically, water from the island’s interior basins has left through evapotranspiration, a process that is closely tied to plant growth. With a significant decline in plant populations post-hurricane, it is logical to assume that the island’s hydrology has been affected as well. However, continued monitoring shows an encouraging trend: NDVI values have steadily increased through early 2024, signaling the resilience of Sanibel’s ecosystems.

Though the island’s freshwater basins experienced further saltwater intrusion following last fall’s hurricanes, it is expected that the upcoming summer rains will replenish these basins, aiding in the continued recovery of the island’s environment.

For more information contact Jordan Varble, PE, at [email protected].

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JOHNSON ENGINEERING SUPPORTS OUR MOTHER’S HOME

Johnson Engineering’s annual give back initiative grew out of our belief that our company has an ongoing responsibility to contribute to help positively shape our local community and those who will be the future of our communities. Our search for an organization that matched our belief led us to Our Mother’s Home of Southwest Florida.

This organization provides young mothers, ages 11-21, in foster care and human trafficking systems, a safe, nurturing, and supporting environment to stay with their babies, learn life skills, and finish their education. Their mission is to empower them to break the generational cycle for themselves and their children.

This past Christmas, Johnson Engineering employees donated hundreds of new toys, personal care items, clothing, and household items to the home.

Community support is such an important resource for supporting Our Mother’s Home. Improving their resources will help them empower these young women with knowledge and create a future filled with hope and possibilities.

We are honored to support such an important and impactful cause. For more information about Our Mother’s Home visit their website at https://ourmothershome.org, or contact Juli Kern at [email protected].

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