Fort Myers City Council approves nearly $29.5 million for Midtown improvements

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Fort Myers City Council approved nearly $29.5 million Monday for the first phase of infrastructure improvements in Midtown, marking another major step in the city’s long-term plan to transform the area south of downtown.

The contract amount totals $29,485,399.99 and will fund a range of improvements in the Midtown area, including underground utility and drainage construction, roadway reconstruction, sidewalk construction, streetlight and street furniture installation, and landscaping, signage and identity markers. 

According to the city agenda, the project is a multi-year effort, with additional funding expected in future years. The contract is a one-time cost tied to the Midtown Improvements Phase I Capital Project budget for fiscal year 2025-26.

The Phase I project area stretches across Midtown in downtown Fort Myers, bounded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on the north, Edison Avenue on the south, Cleveland Avenue on the west, and Fowler Avenue on the east.

City leaders say the work is meant to lay the foundation for future development.

Mayor Kevin Anderson told WINK News the investment is about preparing the area to attract developers and new projects.

“So this is the first phase of prep in the area to be able to accept those developers and their projects,” Anderson said.

The broader vision for Midtown has been under discussion since 2018 and aims to turn the area into a more walkable, mixed-use district with housing, businesses, and public improvements.

“Midtown is very important to the long-term sustainability of our city,” Anderson said.

Part of that vision is already beginning to take shape. Montage at Midtown is set to open in April, bringing 321 luxury apartments to the area. Other major projects on the horizon include the demolition of City of Palms Park, for which city leaders expect to have an approved contractor in April; the future redevelopment of the News-Press site; and a new Fort Myers Police Department headquarters.

One new business owner is already betting on Midtown’s future.

Stacie Krupa, a master artist and gallery owner, opened Midtown Atomic Art just days ago. She said she chose the location because she sees strong potential in the area.

“I looked at Midtown and saw the potential. It’s a blank slate, and in my mind this was the place to be,” Krupa said.

She said more housing, restaurants, and foot traffic will be key to helping businesses like hers succeed.

“It helps to have just people around. And you know, they’re walking by, they go to dinner, they stop in the gallery,” Krupa said. “In order to have that, we need residential buildings. We need housing. We need restaurants.”

Anderson acknowledges the time it's taken to get the ball rolling on Midtown, but says the city is taking its time to get this right.

“This won’t happen quickly,” Anderson said. “These types of projects, while we push them as hard as we can to get them done right, we have to make sure we invest the right amount of time into them.”

Still, supporters say Monday’s vote is another clear sign the city is moving forward with its Midtown vision.