People living in Fort Myers Yacht Basin want guarantees before marina changes are made

Dozens of
 neighbors and businesses are making their voices heard at the downtown Fort Myers Yacht Basin, and they want a guarantee they won’t be kicked out When changes come to the area.

City leaders are looking at five proposals to possibly bring shops, restaurants, floating docks, and more to the marina.

While neighbors agree that improvements are needed, they don’t want to be forced out of their homes.

Thursday morning at 9 a.m. there will be a special meeting where the Fort Myers City Council will hear from the five developers about their proposals for the yacht basin, along with the changes they envision.

The City Council can narrow down the proposals that have been submitted; they can vote for one of the proposals submitted, or they can take no action.

Before any of this happens, the people who call the marina home, want some assurances to ease their sea of concern.

Mike McNeal lives at the marina. He says, “
I want my voice to count for something. I just don’t want to be listened to and ignored.

”

Dozens of people who reside on liveaboards in the marina call the Fort Myers Yacht Basin home.

Marcia and Bill Schwalm own a business in the marina and said,
 “There’s only one houseboat in the United States with a hair salon on it. And you’re looking at her right here.”

And many are in the same boat when they say they don’t want to be forced out, or priced out, with any of the proposals that have been submitted to the city.

“This is a neighborhood. People live here,” Marcia added. “They work here, or in the area, because it’s a community.

”

Ward 4 City Councilman Liston Bochette, along with the city manager, gave the people there an update on the city’s request for proposals and answered their questions and concerns.

“
You elect someone to be your advocate,” Bochette said. “They’re not your enemy. You’ve got to give them information to go work on your behalf.

”

Bochette explained that the yacht basin is in need of some improvements as the area grows and he’s taking the concerns here with him to city hall.

“They want guarantees they’re not going to be evicted and be out in a short period of time. They’d like to know what’s acceptable, what’s not acceptable.,” Bochette added.

A message echoed by Marcia Schwalm, who would like to keep her
 hair salon business on her houseboat afloat.

 “
I have employees, what do I tell them?

”

And while many told us they look forward to upgrades and amenities, they don’t want to be forced out, looking for a place to dock.

People asked questions for over an hour at Wednesday night’s meeting.

Some brought up environmental concerns about what would happen to water quality with major renovations.

Others didn’t think floating docks, which are part of one of the proposals, would be safe during hurricane season.