FORT MYERS, Fla. — The City of Fort Myers voted yes, to take back The City of Palms Park from Lee County in an effort to redevelop Fort Myers.
In a request for re ownership from the city, Lee County worked out an agreement that will now be approved by Lee County Commissioners on September 15th.
County staff worked with city staff to make sure the land would be used for public purposes and not to generate revenue, because of that the city will get a bit of a financial break. In a statement, Lee County tells us.
"The City would not have to repay the County for capital improvement dollars or maintenance the County put into the City of Palms (COP) during the past years. The City would not have to pay the cost of demolition of COP; the County will pay for that. However, the agreement stipulates that if the City sells or leases the property, the County would be repaid,” said Betsy Clayton, Communications Director for Lee County.
Fort Myers City Councilman Kevin Anderson says this is a huge move for the city’s future.
“This is right in the heart of what’s going to be known as Midtown, so we’re expecting really good things to happen on this piece of land,” said Kevin Anderson, Fort Myers City Councilman Ward 4.
Anderson says including an entirely new look to add to the growth of the city.
“Possibly some development, possibly some mixed-use living, residential units, and my desire is a lot of green space as well so it’s a family-friendly area. We want this is this whole Midtown area to be very walkable, a lot of bicycling and just a lot of pedestrian activity,” said Councilman Anderson.
After roughly 20 years the stadium became a playing field, for teams like the Red Sox as well as local baseball and softball teams, including Florida Southwestern State College Athletics, who will now have to relocate in one year after Lee County’s approval of the agreement. Anderson says it will be tough for everyone to see the park go.
“I like a lot of people, it's going to be bittersweet you know, this was a big big thing for Fort Myers back then, but Midtown is going to be an even bigger thing,” said Councilman Anderson.
Florida Southwestern State has been notified of the agreement, and the county will demolish The City of Palms Park after FSW moves out.
