Free walk-up COVID-19 testing scheduled at Yawkey Park

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 13, 2020) — The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee), in partnership with Lee County Public Safety and the City of Fort Myers, will be providing free walk-up COVID-19 testing at Yawkey Park. 

Walk-u...

Virtual Ward 6 Community Meeting takes place July 15

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 7, 2020) – Fort Myers City Councilperson Gaile Anthony will host a virtual Ward 6 Community Meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, July 15 at 4:00 p.m. Register in advance for this webinar here: https://cityftmyers.zoom.u...

Virtual Ward 4 Community Meeting takes place July 8

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 2, 2020) – Fort Myers City Councilperson Kevin Anderson will host a virtual Ward 4 Community Meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, July 8 at 6:30 p.m. Register in advance for this webinar here: https://...

Water quality initiatives, Centennial Park refurbishment projects receive state funds

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 29, 2020) – The City of Fort Myers will begin three water quality initiatives with funding approved in the 2020-21 state budget signed today by Governor Ron DeSantis. Funding for the final phase restoration of Billy Creek ...

No changes to City of Fort Myers Solid Waste collection schedule for Independence Day holiday

FORT MYERS, FL (June 24, 2020) – The City of Fort Myers Solid Waste Division will have no changes in its collection schedule for the Independence Day holiday. City of Fort Myers offices will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of the Satur...

Lee County fertilizer ban

Lee County restrictions for rainy season fertilizer application are now in effect beginning June first and ending September 30. Doing your part to preserve our water quality is as simple as doing less yardwork! During the rainy summer season, unnecessary ...

City of Fort Myers Summer Camp 2020 - Scholarship Application

The STARS Summer Camp program is accepting scholarship applications for children to attend Summer Camp at one of the three available locations: Fort Myers STARS Complex, Billy Bowlegs, and Fort Myers Skatium.  Parents must have experienced loss o...

Final Public Notice

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received the subgrant application for the City of Fort Myers’ Centennial Park repairs due to damages in Hurricane Irma (DR‐4337‐FL PW 05337). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and 44 CFR Part 9....

City of Fort Myers launches Otocast App

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 21, 2020) - The City of Fort Myers recently launched a new app called “Otocast,” designed to help the community and visitors interact with public art around the city. Otocast is free and can be accessed from anywh...

City of Fort Myers continues opening parks and amenities

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 19, 2020) – To encourage outdoor recreation opportunities for the health and wellbeing of its citizens, the City of Fort Myers is reopening its pools, playgrounds, pavilions, courts, multipurpose fields (soccer/football) an...

City expands options for restaurants to offer additional outdoor seating

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 1, 2020) - To accommodate local business owners and assist with compliance under the Governor’s Executive Order 20-112 issued on April 29, the City of Fort Myers has created a Temporary Outdoor Dining Area permit t...

Road Watch Update

Click to view the Road Watch Update for June 18, 2020 - June 24, 2020.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection to host monthly educational meetings

FORT MYERS, Fla.  (October 31, 2019) – In an effort to improve its communication with the regulated community, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is hosting free monthly educational meetings. The first meeting tak...

Fort Myers named #1 best place to retire in the United States

FORT MYERS, FL (Oct. 9, 2019) –  U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, has named Fort Myers as the #1 best place to retire in the United States. Topping the 2020 list, Fort Myers had increases...

Impact Fee Notice

A reminder that permits applied for by the close of business on Friday, March 6, 2020 for construction in the City of Fort Myers must be issued by the close of business on Monday, June 8, 2020 in order to pay at the 47.5% collection rate that applies to p...

City Announces Temporary 75% Reduction in Building Permit Fees

The Fort Myers City Council recently voted to cut building permit fees by 75% for one year beginning on October 1st, 2019.

Per Resolution 2019-20, the City shall temporary reduce the current BPI schedule of fees 75% for one year for building permit applica...

Midtown Receives APA Florida Award

The City of Fort Myers Midtown Vision was recognized with an Awards of Merit at the 2019 American Planning Association’s (APA) Florida Conference held in Sandestin, Florida. The city’s Midtown Vision Plan won a Best Practices award, and the Southwest Flor...

Midtown Receives FPZA Award

The City of Fort Myers Midtown Vision was selected for the 2019 Florida Planning & Zoning (FPZA) Award for Outstanding Plan. The City was recognized at FPZA’s annual conference and award banquet held in Key West.

The Midtown Vision Plan: Downtown Fort ...

News Headline

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News Headline

This is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. It has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its l...

News Headline

This is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. It has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its l...

News Headline

This is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. It has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its l...

News Headline

This is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. It has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its l...

News Headline

This is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. It has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its l...

Community Connect

The Fort Myers Fire Department is always looking for ways to improve the services we provide to our community. We are excited to announce that we are providing a new program that allows us to protect our resident’s lives and property in even mor...

Mobile Eyes Contractor Permit Portal-Now Live

The Fort Myers Fire Department is now using an all electronic permitting process for fire systems permits. The Mobile Eyes Contractor Permit Portal will provide the contractor and the Fire Prevention Bureau a location to receive, review, and issue permits...

Follow Us on Social Media!

Follow us on our social media platforms Facebook and Instagram: @fortmyersfire to see what the Fort Myers Fire Department is doing.

Road Watch Update

Click to view the Road Watch Update for June 18, 2020 - June 24, 2020.

Tips on Water Conservation

No one wants to waste a precious natural resource, or have a high water bill. Read below for a few helpful tips on conserving water.

• Turn off faucets. Turn water off as you wash or rinse dishes, wash your hands or face, brush your teeth or shave.
• Use every ...

City of Fort Myers Summer Camp 2020 - Scholarship Application

The STARS Summer Camp program is accepting scholarship applications for children to attend Summer Camp at one of the three available locations: Fort Myers STARS Complex, Billy Bowlegs, and Fort Myers Skatium.  Parents must have experienced loss o...

City of Fort Myers launches Otocast App

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 21, 2020) - The City of Fort Myers recently launched a new app called “Otocast,” designed to help the community and visitors interact with public art around the city. Otocast is free and can be accessed from anywh...

Final Public Notice

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received the subgrant application for the City of Fort Myers’ Centennial Park repairs due to damages in Hurricane Irma (DR‐4337‐FL PW 05337). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and 44 CFR Part 9....

STARS Now Accepting Applications for Teen Volunteers

Summer 2020 Pathway Teen Summer Volunteer Experience ApplicationDeadline: May 14, 2020Contact: Christina Bellamy, Sr. Program Coordinator; 239-321-7545; cbellamy@cityftmyers.com

Read on...

City of Fort Myers continues phased reopening of parks

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 28, 2020) – To encourage outdoor recreation opportunities for the health and wellbeing of its citizens, the City of Fort Myers is resuming limited operations in parks and recreation areas beginning Wednesday, Apr...

City Reopens Park Recreation Trails

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 21, 2020) – The City of Fort Myers will begin limited reopening of trails on Wednesday, April 22. Continued observance of social distancing recommendations and adherence to Centers for Disease Control precautions should b...

Billy Bowlegs Park - Youth Soccer

RecTrac and GolfTrac Systems - Coming Soon

The City of Fort Myers is moving to new management systems for city-owned recreation facilities and its two golf courses.

RecTrac is a fully integrated parks and recreation management software used to increase efficiency and productivity, while providing l...

Cleveland Avenue Redevelopment Area Commercial Property Grants

COVID-19 Emergency Order 2020-09

Effective immediately, the DBPR’s order states that all vendors who sell alcoholic beverages on premises and derive over 50% of their revenue from these sales shall suspend on-premises sales. Bars can continue to sell alcoholic beverages in seal...

Enterprise Center Reopens with New COVID-19 Protocols

The mission of the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center is to be a learning laboratory for entrepreneurial enterprises and to provide assistance and support to the entrepreneur so that he or she may realize the full potential of their enterprise and of the...

CRA Offers Free Parking for Downtown Customers

COVID-19 Executive Order 20-139

Effective June 5, 2020, the Governor’s order allows for expanded activities with social distancing precautions including: allowing restaurants to use bar top seating; entertainment businesses, bars and pubs to operate at 50% capacity indoors/ful...

Business Resources in response to COVID-19 Impact

In Case You Need it: We have compiled a group of important sources for latest COVID-19 updates, responses, and post recovery information.

Read More

Businesses Moving Forward In Fort Myers Redevelopment Areas

Small businesses are essential to our local economy and are vital to our community. The CRA staff has compiled a list of companies within our CRA redevelopment areas that are open for business. Please join us in marketing and promoting their services.

Plea...

Business Spotlight: Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls

The monthly Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in Fort Myers redevelopment areas, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an online presence. ...

Governor's Plan for Reopening the State

Governor Ron DeSantis presented this slideshow to reopen the State of Florida (Click on picture or text link to view): 

Link to Governor’s Slideshow

COVID-19 Executive Order 20-131

The Governor’s order allows the reopening of organized youth activities including youth sports teams and leagues, youth clubs and programs, and child care, as well as summer camps and youth recreation camps.

READ MORE for more information about t...

FGCU Coronavirus Economic Impact Study Report

Due to  unprecedented circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak, Florida Gulf Coast University’s Lutgert College of Business has created a survey to help understand the economic impact the pandemic is having on Southwest Florida...

COVID-19 Executive Order 20-95

The Governor’s order allows employers receiving money from the federal CARES Act to use the full dollar amount to pay their rent and help their employees, and ensures that no payment of documentary stamp taxes will be required.

READ MORE for more...

Announcing: 2019 Fort Myers CRA Annual Report

Please feel free to disseminate it as you see fit. Our annual report is statutorily required to be available by March 31st each year.

Click this link to read a PDF of the 2019 Fort Myers CRA Annual Report.

You may also visit this link to access the report: ...

City Walk TIF Agreement Amendment Approved by CRA Board of Commissioners

The Developer, City Walk Fort Myers LLC, a part of Catalyst Asset Management, requested that the 128-key Marriott brand hotel previously proposed in the 2018 TIF rebate application be removed for this current phase of the project. Instead, the hotel site ...

COVID-19 Executive Order 20-91

The City of Fort Myers and Fort Myers CRA are both still open and operating with appropriate modifications due to COVID-19. 

READ MORE for more information about essential services and activities addressed in the Governor’s executive ord...

McCollum Hall Update: Financing Secured, Performance Schedule & Consent to Lease Approved

In addition, a new Performance Schedule and a Consent to Lease was approved at the CRA Board of Commissioners meeting on December 11, 2019. The project is on schedule for a December 2020 Grand Opening.

McCollum Redevelopment Associates, LLC, through its pa...

Connecting Dunbar Cultural Landmarks Project / Grant Application Submission Authorized by CRA Board

On December 11, 2019, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners authorized CRA’s grant application/ project submission to Bloomberg Philanthropies. The CRA will apply for a $25,000 to enhance the safety and pedestrian experien...

Fort Myers CRA Job Creation & Talent Attraction: 17 Candidates, $81,000 Grant Funds

On December 11, 2019, at the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners meeting, new applications for the program participation were accepted from two businesses located in the Downtown redevelopment area. Cigent Technologies, ...

One Allure TIF Agreement Amendment Approved by CRA Board of Commissioners

The Developer, Cedar River at Fort Myers II, LLC, the residential development brand of JAXI CMD, LLC, requested that the construction start date be extended six months, from its original start date of December 31, 2019. At this time, Cedar River has spent...

Michele Hylton-Terry Appointed to FRA Board of Directors

The FRA is the statewide organization that promotes redevelopment in Florida. Their Board of Directors are volunteer leaders who are responsible for the direction of the organization. The Board governs, develops policy, and sets a course for the future. T...

Dunbar Cultural Landmarks Tour App Available

Community members are invited to download the free app onto their smart device and follow the narrated tour of ten cultural stops.  Look for the Florida Stories app on your iPhone through the App Store, or get it on Google Play. Once the app is d...

Antoine Williams Joins CRA as Assistant Director

Antoine is a Fort Myers native, and previous to joining the Fort Myers CRA was employed with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), where his principal focus was on providing leadership in the areas of small business development and retention. In simil...

MLK Royal Palm Gardens Apartments Approved for CRA Rebate

The Royal Palm Gardens Apartments will be a renovation of the Jones Walker Palm Gardens affordable housing community located at 2209 Blount Street, which was originally constructed in 1970. The community consists of ten two-story, garden-style residential...

Downtown Hampton Inn Hotel Approved for CRA Rebate

Developers Hos Management/HBH FTM HOTEL LLC will build the Hampton Inn by Hilton Fort Myers at 2017 McGregor Boulevard, a building site they already own. The project will incorporate Hampton Inn’s prototype contemporary, confident design scheme that refle...

MLK St. Peter Claver Place Apartments Approved for CRA Rebate Approved for CRA Rebate

The 214-unit affordable-housing apartment complex will be built in two phases, with Phase I consisting of 120 two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments in two- and three-story buildings, along with a community building. Known as St. Peter Claver Place, it ...

Silver Hills Apartments/Edwards Co. & Silver Hills Dev, Inc., Approved for CRA Rebate

Silver Hills at Fort Myers will be built at 2220 West First Street on a large 4.46-acre vacant parcel bounded on the south by West First Street, on the north by the Caloosahatchee River, and on the east by Altamont Avenue. The development will feature two...

Cheryl Thornton Earns FRA-RP Designation

The FRA’s Redevelopment Professional designation is granted through their Redevelopment Academy, which provides a program of classes that promote a high level of knowledge and professionalism in the field of redevelopment. The goals of the academy are as ...

Michele Hylton-Terry Presented with 2019 Economic Development Person of the Year

Mr. Pitts noted that he chose Ms. Hylton-Terry for her unwavering effort in leading the City of Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency in creating jobs, housing and economic growth in our underserved communities.

“As head of the Fort Myers CRA, Michele ...

The Collaboratory: Propelling Midtown into the Future (Video)

Partnering with SWFL Community Foundation and the City, the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency suggested transforming the former 1924 Atlantic Coast Line Railway depot into the cornerstone of Collaboratory’s campus, along with a modern addition and...

West End at City Walk To Begin Construction

The plans for the 318-unit apartment building are finished and are currently in the permit approval process for both the site and the building. Approvals are expected within the next two weeks, after which the required construction fence and liner will be...

MLK Seaboard Waterside Apartments/Greenwald LLC Approved for CRA Rebate

The Seaboard Apartments will be built at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Seaboard Street in Fort Myers in two phases. The development will offer 420 apartments, with a two-story parking garage built into the eight-floor complex. It will be the first pro...

Luminary Hotel Topping Out Ceremony

Community leaders were invited to a Topping Out Ceremony at Harborside Event Center, which included a sneak preview of two model hotel rooms, an introduction of the development team's luminaries, and a ride up to the top for selected leaders. 

Vis...

Downtown Vantage Lofts/DevMar Approved for CRA Rebate

Vantage Lofts will be built west of the Caloosahatchee Bridge on Carson Street, located between First and Second Street. The sixteen-story development will offer 221 luxury loft style apartments with 5,000 square feet of retail space including a 5-story p...

Grand Central Update

The Grand Central Luxury Apartments project, a 282-unit market-rate apartment complex with an estimated value of $50 million, is the first project to use stormwater treatment credits from the Cleveland Avenue Nutrient Bank. The Nutrient Bank is an additio...

New CFM Landscaping Plan for Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd

J.B. Schuetz, Parks and Beautification Manager with the City of Fort Myers, has been the City’s lead person working with Mr. Diserio. The plans, known as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Landscape Refresh Plans, have been approved by the City’s Beaut...

Holiday Inn Hotel/HIDEV Group LLC Approved for CRA Rebate

Holiday Inn will be built on the three original city land parcels at 1651 Royal Palm Avenue, 2465 Second Street, and 2466 First Street, located on the northeast corner of Royal Palm Avenue and Second Street. The hotel will offer a restaurant/bar, meeting ...

EFM Spotlight: Alma's Fashion Boutique, Inc.

The monthly East Fort Myers Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the East Fort Myers redevelopment area, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an o...

FieldEdge Approved to Participate in CRA Job Program

FieldEdge, the company that invented service software for contractors, was approved to participate in Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) Job Creation & Talent Attraction Program. CRA commissioners approved FieldEdge’s application, and t...

Art Stumble 2020 Approved by CRA Board of Commissioners

Art Stumble 2020 will be an artistic mural painting event designed to promote pride in the Fort Myers Dunbar community, as well as a way to support economic growth with aesthetic enhancement. The Art Stumble 2020 block party will be held on April 25, 2020...

EFM Spotlight: La Michoacana Ice Cream Shop

The monthly East Fort Myers Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the East Fort Myers redevelopment area, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an o...

Cheryl Thornton Joins Fort Myers CRA, Receives Promotion

As Fiscal Manager, Ms. Thornton will oversee financial processes such as the CRA’s budgets, financial reports, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) calculations, disbursements, etc.

Prior to joining the CRA, Ms. Thornton was a juvenile case manager for BAYS Flori...

The Truth About Community Redevelopment Agencies

Please click the link below to access the article on redevelopment agencies from Gulfshore Business:

The Truth About Community Redevelopment Agencies article

First Company Approved to Participate in CRA Job Program

CRA commissioners approved Cigent’s application and the firm is eligible to receive up to $8,000 if the new employee is both working and residing in a redevelopment area.

This program will incentivize the creation and retention of full-time employment with...

More Than Just a Garden – Barden Street’s New Community Garden Selected for $13,000 Grant

More than just a garden, this urban initiative will infuse 21st Century agricultural skills and the beautification of a blighted neighborhood with art and culture. This multi-faceted effort combines community development, nutrition, education, entrepreneu...

EFM Spotlight: Andy's Mini Market & Grocery

The monthly East Fort Myers Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the East Fort Myers redevelopment area, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an o...

Cleveland Avenue Medians Completed

The CRA and the City of Fort Myers have worked together to revitalize and improve the look of Cleveland Avenue (U.S. 41)!

The CRA provided a $194,200 funding match for a $100,000 FDOT Beautification Grant for the design, installation, and maintenance of me...

EFM Spotlight: El Caribe Latin Flavor Cuban Restaurant & Bakery

The monthly East Fort Myers Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the East Fort Myers redevelopment area, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an o...

EFM Spotlight: Neenie's House

The monthly East Fort Myers Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the East Fort Myers redevelopment area, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an o...

Sheryl Rea Joins Fort Myers CRA

As Sr. Administrative Assistant, Ms. Rea will manage the CRA office.

She is an accomplished administrative manager, having worked in private corporate sectors as well as in State and County government agencies.

Previous experience in a variety of sectors wi...

CRA purchases Medical/Fire Rescue Utility Task Vehicle for Fort Myers River District Special Events

At the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) January 23, 2019, Board meeting, commissioners recognized that the River District’s growing special events required improved first responder access in navigating the crowded streets—so the Board appro...

New Job Creation & Talent Attraction Program

The City of Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is proud to announce the new Job Creation & Talent Attraction Program.

Targeted industries eligible for the program include research and development in the physical, engineering, computer or l...

City of Fort Myers Solid Waste Division announces Memorial Day holiday collection schedule

FORT MYERS, FL (May 15, 2020) – In observance of Memorial Day, there will be no residential or commercial trash or recycling collection on Monday, May 25. City of Fort Myers residential and commercial customers will be serviced one day later fro...

New Irrigation Restrictions Announced

In order to protect and conserve crucial groundwater resources in aquifers for residents during the remainder of the dry season, the South Florida Water Management District issued mandatory water restrictions in all of Lee County in consultation with Lee ...

Tips on Water Conservation

No one wants to waste a precious natural resource, or have a high water bill. Read below for a few helpful tips on conserving water.

• Turn off faucets. Turn water off as you wash or rinse dishes, wash your hands or face, brush your teeth or shave.
• Use every ...

New WaterSmart Portal feature

With the WaterSmart Portal, you can: 

• View and pay bills
• See how your usage ranks compared to similar households
• View tips on how to save
• Sign up for leak alerts, and more!

 Create an account on the new WaterSmart Portal today! 

What is AMI, or Advanced metering infrastructure?

As the City continues to upgrade water meters and components we get asked “what is AMI?” AMI is an integrated system of smart meters, communications networks, and data management systems that enables two-way communication between utilities and customers. ...

Work in Progress

As the City of Fort Myers continues with upgrading to the Smart Meter Reading System (AMI), you may see workers present in your area. The upgrade lasts approximately thirty minutes per location, with no additional costs to the customer.

News Headline

This is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. It has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its l...

News Headline

This is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. It has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its l...

News Headline

This is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. It has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its l...

News Headline

This is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. It has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its l...

News Headline

This is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. It has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its l...

News Headline

This is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. It has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its l...