Central Fort Myers Plan
The Central Fort Myers redevelopment district was created in 1990 to eliminate blight and to assemble land to construct the Red Sox spring training stadium, City of Palms Park. A significant amount of the stadium’s land assembly was completed a short time later. Since the stadium and surrounding grass parking lots, adjacent State of Florida Regional Service Center parking garage, Skatium and Skate (board) Park are publicly owned and not on the tax rolls, this district did not generate tax increment revenue for most of its life.
Increment Values
The last three years benefitted from escalating property values, resulting in modest gains in increment revenues. In anticipation of the Red Sox baseball team’s move out of the stadium in 2012, however, funds not used for the enhanced police patrols were placed in a reserve account, to be used for future upgrades to attract a new team.
Joint-District Promotion
To cross promote the Downtown and the Central Fort Myers districts, the Agency helped fund Downtown trolley service to and from Red Sox Spring Training games for fans, as well as providing the City of Palms Park with Downtown business/dining locator maps marked with trolley stops. This service was paid with Downtown dollars due to the positive effect for local merchants, but Central district baseball visitors also enjoyed free transportation and guidance to local dining and arts destinations.
Bike Patrol
Along with the Cleveland, Downtown, MLK and Velasco districts, Central Fort Myers jointly funded a six-man bike patrol unit that provides an enhanced level of police service.
Yawkey Park
One of the most notable benefits of the enhanced bike patrol is that families are once more able to enjoy Yawkey Park. Located across the street from the City of Palms Park, this charming tree-covered playground has been returned to the neighborhood as well as to the families who attend Red Sox games.
Skatium & Skate Park
Both the Skatium and Skate Park continue to attract local families and teens to Central Fort Myers. Although not funded by the Agency, the CRA does promote these venues by including them on maps along with other area cultural attractions.
Central Fort Myers Plan
The Central Fort Myers redevelopment district was created in 1990 to eliminate blight and to assemble land to construct the Red Sox spring training stadium, City of Palms Park. A significant amount of the stadium’s land assembly was completed a short time later. Since the stadium and surrounding grass parking lots, adjacent State of Florida Regional Service Center parking garage, Skatium and Skate (board) Park are publicly owned and not on the tax rolls, this district did not generate tax increment revenue for most of its life.
Increment Values
The last three years benefitted from escalating property values, resulting in modest gains in increment revenues. In anticipation of the Red Sox baseball team’s move out of the stadium in 2012, however, funds not used for the enhanced police patrols were placed in a reserve account, to be used for future upgrades to attract a new team.
Joint-District Promotion
To cross promote the Downtown and the Central Fort Myers districts, the Agency helped fund Downtown trolley service to and from Red Sox Spring Training games for fans, as well as providing the City of Palms Park with Downtown business/dining locator maps marked with trolley stops. This service was paid with Downtown dollars due to the positive effect for local merchants, but Central district baseball visitors also enjoyed free transportation and guidance to local dining and arts destinations.
Bike Patrol
Along with the Cleveland, Downtown, MLK and Velasco districts, Central Fort Myers jointly funded a six-man bike patrol unit that provides an enhanced level of police service.
Yawkey Park
One of the most notable benefits of the enhanced bike patrol is that families are once more able to enjoy Yawkey Park. Located across the street from the City of Palms Park, this charming tree-covered playground has been returned to the neighborhood as well as to the families who attend Red Sox games.
Skatium & Skate Park
Both the Skatium and Skate Park continue to attract local families and teens to Central Fort Myers. Although not funded by the Agency, the CRA does promote these venues by including them on maps along with other area cultural attractions.