Fort Myers to delays sale of old News-Press site, again

The Fort Myers City Council is voting to delay the sale of the former News-Press building and Old Fire Station No. 1 for a second time.

The site, located at 2442 and 2404 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, was once intended to house a new police headquarters. Now, Midtown Catalyst Community Development, LLC has a vision for the buildings that have been empty for years.

Midtown Catalyst has plans to transform the nearly 10-acre property into a mixed-use space combining retail and recreation. The project plans include at least 580 residential units, up to 50,000 square feet for retail, 150,000 square feet of office space, a hotel with 140-160 keys, a grocery store, parking garages, and a public gathering space.

The $11.5 million sale with Catalyst Community Development, LLC, was approved on March 3, 2025. The original extension extended the sale to December 15, 2015. On December 3, 2025, Catalyst Community Development, LLC, assigned its contract interest to Midtown Catalyst, LLC. A second extension would push the sale deadline to March 16, 2026.

City documents indicate further discussions are needed on several issues. A Seminole Gulf Railroad spur and a large drainage pipe on the property present logistical challenges, but discussions are ongoing regarding their removal and management.

The city will also vote to apply for an EPA grant to fund asbestos removal, estimated to cost more than $2.5 million. The federal Brownfields Clean Up grant would pay for the removal of the asbestos on the site and clear the way for the development without additional city funds.