The conceptual plans for Fort Myers’ inaugural pocket park, located at 2208 First St. adjacent to The Franklin Shops, have received unanimous approval from the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners.
Once the site of a historic wood-frame building constructed in 1900 but later demolished in 2019, the property held a rich history of housing various restaurants, the most recent being the beloved Ida’s Bon Appiteatery.
With redevelopment of the site not foreseen in the near future, AMA First Capital LLC, the property owner, decided to lease the land to the CRA for the development of a public amenity. The CRA Commissioners granted a 15-year lease for the property on December 14, 2022.
The current focus for the vacant lot revolves around transforming it into a green space in downtown Fort Myers. The envisioned features include a charming paver patio, inviting public seating areas furnished with tables and chairs, well-placed lighting, a public water fountain complete with a pet dish, and an existing mural adorning the neighboring building.
Furthermore, the pocket park will incorporate decorative and secure fencing, creating a defined area for temporary vendors. Meticulously planned landscaping is also in the works, with the inclusion of canopy-shading palm trees and various other plant species. A dense fence vegetation will be incorporated along the back wall to provide privacy and block off the parking lot situated at the rear.
It is important to note that the current design is still in the conceptual phase, and some concerns remain regarding the accessibility to adjacent buildings. Commissioners Darla Bonk and Liston Bochette have raised questions about the site’s stormwater drainage and other related issues.
The project’s funding will be facilitated by a generous private donor, Debora Gillen, a resident of Fort Myers. Gillen has previously supported the community by funding planters along First Street and is now contributing to the development of the pocket park.
Moving forward, the next steps for the project include naming the park, collaborating with the Naples Botanical Garden to select appropriate plant species, and presenting the plan to the city’s beautification and historic preservation committees in June.
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