Fort Myers pushes initiatives to attract millennials downtown

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Business and city leaders held a public outreach meeting Wednesday to discuss possible initiatives to entice young professionals to move to the downtown area.

The city is concentrating on growth in urban areas, such as adding more housing, while also being environmentally friendly with the addition of parks and pedestrian paths. The changes could also diversify the city’s economy.

However, out of the nearly 50 people in attendance, only three were millennials.

Laura Schefter, a millennial visiting Fort Myers for the first time, felt the city was missing something.

“There doesn’t seem to be much to do,” she said. “We were just at the Edison Estate, that was really beautiful…but there’s not much to do right here.”

Fort Myers resident Richard White sees young people downtown on Friday and Saturday nights, but it’s not enough, he said.

“We need something else in Fort Myers,” he said. “We need something that’s productive.”

Growth is inevitable, so the city is hoping to create smart growth that benefits everyone, city leaders said.

There will be additional public meetings in February and March at the Fort Myers Fire Station One on 2033 Jackson St.

For more information, contact the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency at 239-321-7100.