Fort Myers City Council votes unanimously to seek EPA grant for old News-Press site

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Fort Myers city leaders voted unanimously Monday to apply for a federal grant to help clean up the former News-Press building, a long-vacant downtown site that officials say has been a redevelopment priority for years.

The Fort Myers City Council approved applying for funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that would pay for asbestos removal at the property along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The grant would cover the cleanup costs without requiring additional city funds, officials said.

The city purchased the former newspaper building in 2019, but environmental and infrastructure challenges have kept the site unused. Last year, the city announced plans to sell the property for more than $11 million to a developer proposing a 12-story mixed-use project that would include apartments, a hotel, a grocery store and two parking garages.

Residents and business owners say progress has been slow and are eager to see the site put to use.

“I think it’s taking the city a bit too long,” said Dominick Hendricks of Lehigh Acres, adding that the property has strong potential for future growth.

The site faces multiple issues, including asbestos contamination, old railroad tracks that must be removed and a large drainage pipe that needs to be replaced or relocated. Gulf Coast News crews even saw a small tree growing on top of the building, highlighting its long period of neglect.

Visiting Fort Myers from Ohio, Diane Eichler said the empty building is a missed opportunity.

“It’s sad for the tax base and it’s sad for the people,” Eichler said. “Companies need to be creative and figure out how to utilize these spaces to bring more people downtown.”

Downtown business owners also support redevelopment.

“As a business owner here, myself and many others would absolutely welcome it,” said Ozzie Morrobell. “Why not? It’s for the better — use it.”

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