Cape Coral's Iconic Big John Statue Nears Completion of Repairs

The beloved community landmark is undergoing final restoration work before returning to its downtown plaza.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:52am

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print featuring the iconic Big John statue repeated in a grid pattern, with bold neon colors and heavy black outlines, capturing the statue's status as a beloved community landmark.The return of Cape Coral's beloved Big John statue will bring a renewed sense of community pride and identity to the downtown area.Cape Coral Today

Cape Coral's iconic Big John statue, a beloved community landmark, is in the final stages of repair after being knocked down during Hurricane Ian. The restoration work is being carried out by Design Studio Brand 1 Ink, with the team stating they are about a week away from getting the statue back inside the building for its paint job. The process includes reinforcing Big John with stronger steel and a thicker coating to prepare it for future storms. Once the repairs are complete, it will take around a month before the statue is ready to be reinstalled in its usual spot on Southeast 47th Terrace.

Why it matters

Big John has been a defining feature of Cape Coral's downtown area for years, serving as a popular landmark and meeting point for residents. Its absence has been felt by the community, and its return will be a significant event that helps restore a sense of normalcy and pride in the city's core.

The details

The restoration work on Big John is being carried out by the team at Design Studio Brand 1 Ink. They have been working to reinforce the statue's structure, including adding stronger steel and a thicker protective coating, to ensure it can withstand future storms. The team estimates they are about a week away from getting the statue back inside the building to begin the final paint job. Once the repairs are complete, it will take approximately one month before Big John is ready to be reinstalled in its usual spot on Southeast 47th Terrace.

  • Hurricane Ian knocked down the Big John statue in 2022.
  • The restoration work began shortly after the storm.
  • The team at Design Studio Brand 1 Ink expects to have Big John back inside the building for its paint job within the next 7 days.
  • It will take around 1 month for the statue to be fully repaired and ready for reinstallation.

The players

Jeanne Robertson

A Cape Coral resident who expresses the community's fondness for the Big John statue as a beloved landmark.

Kelley Bouge

A representative from Tropical Furniture Gallery, who states the plaza is known as the 'Big John's Plaza' and the community is eagerly awaiting the statue's return.

Clinton Strand

The owner of Design Studio Brand 1 Ink, the company responsible for the restoration work on the Big John statue.

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What they’re saying

“I always like coming down the street and seeing Big John. When you wanted to give directions, you'll see the big statue of Big John in the parking lot. We always knew where to go.”

— Jeanne Robertson, Cape Coral Resident

“As he is such an icon for the downtown Cape area, we are extremely looking forward to him coming back to our plaza. It's how we describe ourselves as a plaza, as we are the Big John's Plaza.”

— Kelley Bouge, Tropical Furniture Gallery

“Big John is in the final stages of its structural rebuild. I would say we're about seven days away from getting him inside the building.”

— Clinton Strand, Owner, Design Studio Brand 1 Ink

What’s next

Once the repairs are complete, the Big John statue will undergo a final paint job, which is expected to take around one month. After that, the community can look forward to the statue's triumphant return to its rightful place on Southeast 47th Terrace in downtown Cape Coral.

The takeaway

The restoration of the iconic Big John statue is a significant event for the Cape Coral community, as it represents the resilience and pride of the city. The statue's return will be a symbol of the community's ability to bounce back from the challenges posed by Hurricane Ian, and will serve as a beloved landmark that brings people together and defines the character of the downtown area.