First art walk in downtown Fort Myers since Ian

People enjoy the start of their weekend in downtown Fort Myers while the area continues its comeback after Hurricane Ian.

Friday’s art walk is extra special because it’s the first since the storm impacted Southwest Florida.

Friday Night, WINK News caught up with Patrick Nelson; he said he lives in one of the high rises near the area, so he saw firsthand what Hurricane Ian did to downtown Fort Myers.

“Seeing out at the destruction, the amount of storm surge and water that was just encapsulating downtown Fort Myers, one It was just shocking and awful to see,” Nelson said.

The walk will also honor the first responders who helped everyone in Southwest Florida get the city cleaned up.

The river district alliance is excited to give downtown Fort Myers its art walk tradition back. No events were held all of October because the storm surge flooded the area and buildings.

For businesses in downtown Fort Myers, the art walk is helpful and brings a sense of normalcy back to the popular area.

Muj Ghori, a bartender at Izzy’s, told WINK News how thankful he was to get back to work as quickly as he did after Ian.

“It’s been pretty good. I mean, a lot of people are coming out here with a lot of the workers and the government workers down your FEMA and whatnot; there’s a lot of extra traffic,” Ghori said. “So it helps out everyone’s, you know, bottom line at the end of the day, and it’s nice to help people out and serve a good meal or a cold beer when they’re coming in.”

“To be here a month later, power is on, businesses are operating, small businesses are out here, I mean, it’s a blessing, I think it’s a real testament to the community, the resolve of the people in southwest Florida,” Nelson said.

The art walk began at 6 p.m. on Friday in downtown Fort Myers. There will be three bands playing and a raffle during the event.