Riley Lehman
•9/18/2026
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Fort Myers is investing in Midtown, moving forward with plans that could transform the area.
The city is now in the design phase of a major streetscape and utility replacement project.
Midtown Fort Myers sits between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the north and Edison Avenue to the south. The area is now set for a makeover, starting with the installation of new underground utilities.
"It's just an older area that has some blight in there, and so this is an opportunity to be like an extension of downtown," Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson said.
The project will also bring improvements to the roadways and sidewalks, along with new street lighting, landscaping and signage throughout the area. City leaders say it will help set the foundation for future development.
"This is something we had to do anyway. But this gives us the opportunity while we're doing that," Anderson said. "Now we're going to redesign the streets, have you know design the streets to accommodate pedestrians, micro mobility, bicycles, wider sidewalks, you know, for cafes, and just really make Midtown a place that's very walkable."
That's a positive sign for business owners, who hope to see Midtown continue to grow. Dozens of people stopped by the open house at the Collaboratory, where they could ask city officials and construction firm questions while checking out renderings of the $30 million project.
"To see the city grow bigger and better in many ways, not just for tourists but also the local community, is just exciting to see," real estate broker Pesche Robinson said.
Many people are most excited about the new look. "Definitely the beautification," SVN Commercial Partners broker Matthew Tuccio said. "I live and work downtown, so it's just amazing the transformation, the walkability."
There's already been some new activity in Midtown, with a new law firm moving in, along with the Montage at Midtown apartment complex. Anderson said the existing City of Palms Park stadium is about 75% demolished, making room for the new multiplex sports complex.
"If we do this right, this will contribute to the long-term sustainability of this city, we will create a tax base that will help sustain this city for decades to come," Anderson said.
The goal of the project is to strengthen connections to the downtown historic district and surrounding neighborhoods while allowing for safer and more comfortable travel through Midtown. Phase one of the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027.
