Renderings show vision for City of Palms Park site transformation in Fort Myers

Fort Myers is moving forward with plans to redevelop the City of Palms Park site into a multi-use sports complex, community center, hotel, restaurants, and shops, as consultants presented renderings to city officials.

Roman, a kid playing at the park in downtown Fort Myers, shared his ideas for the redevelopment.

"I think a pool will be fine. Like a community pool of some slides," Roman said.

Cole Peacock of Carden & Associates explained the scope of the project.

"We're currently in a scoping and feasibility agreement to put a sports complex on the City of Palms Park and to develop the surrounding 26 acres with mixed use, some housing, and accommodations for the travel sports and tournaments that we bring in," Peacock said.

Consultants noted that Broadway, a key road in the area, will likely remain open but may close temporarily for special events such as tournaments or graduations.

Mayor Kevin Anderson acknowledged the unclear timeline ahead for the redevelopment.

"It's going to probably be a lengthy process because when we have to get through the demolition, which is going to take a little bit of time. Then you got to get the site ready yet," Anderson said.

Neighbors like David also at the park in Fort Myers expressed their hopes for what's coming to town.

"Just make it a family-oriented place for families during the day. Somewhere fun to hang out at night for the younger crowd and people who want to just go out and blow off some steam," they said.

Both the mayor and project consultants emphasized that it is too early to determine the timeline or cost of the redevelopment. The city is may receive another update on the project in the fall.