November 10, 2021 / Issue #2021-45

Town Hall will be CLOSED tomorrow in observance of VETERANS DAY

This week at Mound House

November 11 through November 20

Mound House November 2021
Program Calendar

Federal grant of $1 million received to assist in the redevelopment of Bay Oaks

The grant is from the National Park Service - Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF provides funding to the federal agencies and the states. In the State of Florida, NPS/LWCF partners with the Department of Environmental Protection - Division of State Lands and its Land and Recreation Grants Program.

The funding will be available starting January 1, 2022 and is predicated by a match from the Town. The project and associated grant are slated to enhance the 15-acre Bay Oaks Recreational Campus. The planned project now includes both active and passive, indoor and outdoor recreation.

“Out of 25 county and municipal grant applications from across the state of Florida, our Bay Oaks project ranked eighth on the priority list,” said Town Manager Roger Hernstadt. “In addition, this is the first time that the LWCF has provided grants of $1 million and we were one of four development applications to receive a grant of this magnitude due to the extraordinary efforts of Town staff.”

Plans to redevelop the Town’s largest park located at 2731 Oak Street have been under discussion by Town Council, the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board (BORCAB) and the local community since 2018. The design firm, DRMP, Inc., was contracted by Town Council in 2019.

Project plans were enhanced in 2020 as initial designs had only been for renovations to the entryway from Estero Boulevard. Enhancements include a new building for the creation of programs for all ages to meet the current and future needs of the community, space for additional classes such as Yoga and Pilates, and an amphitheater.

Ball fields are now also part of the expanded project scope of work which includes but is not limited to:

• Two ball fields with lighting
• Improved entrance and exit for pedestrians and vehicles
• Outdoor basketball, pickleball, tennis courts
• Stage for concerts and events

New traffic signal at the intersection of Old San Carlos & Estero in the Downtown District is up and running

This is the Town's first completed project using LAP funding through FDOT. The Town acquired LAP certification in 2020. 

Bayside Park redevelopment moves forward with Council's approval of Wright Construction as the contractor

One of the Town’s three large redevelopment projects that have been involved in years of planning was given the green light to proceed to the construction phase at this week's Town Council meeting.

Authorization was given by Council to the Town Manager to execute contract documents with Wright Construction for the redevelopment of Bayside Park in the Downtown District on Old San Carlos Boulevard.

The construction is expected to cost $885,346 which includes $44,267.30 as contingency. A start date will be set during the process of executing the contract documents.

Redevelopment plans for Bayside Park have been under discussion for the past few years along with two other iconic areas of Town - Bay Oaks Recreational Campus and Times Square.

In November 2020, Town Councilors finalized a $10 million loan secured through First Florida Integrity Bank to fund all three projects. Grants to help offset the cost of these projects are also being pursued.

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE UPDATE

Thanks to everyone who took the survey to help decide when to hold the Town's next Leadership Conference.

Environmental education booth schedule for November

Dear Fort Myers Beach Neighbors: 
Take Advantage of Two Opportunities to Make your Voice Count

 
The Fort Myers Beach Fire Control and Rescue District is currently undergoing the development of a three to five year strategic planning process. The public is being invited to provide input to develop this plan that will be implemented over the next several years. 
 
Take the survey by midnight on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021.

 The District will also be hosting a community meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. remotely via Zoom. Participants are asked to register in advance.

Questions? Contact Dr. Margaret Banyan who is facilitating this process.

mbanyan@comcast.net 
239-707-0674 

Seasonal service by LeeTran to resume November 21

Beach tram service will include three trams and is estimated to run every 15 minutes depending on traffic. Tram service will run seven days a week starting at 8 a.m. from Bowditch Point Park with the last pickup at 11:30 p.m. at Matanzas Pass Preserve.

The open-air, multi-car trams provide an easy, fun way to travel along the beach from hotels to restaurants to shopping and other attractions. 

Schedules for routes
  
Follow service-related updates or learn more

 33rd Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade

 by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce is planned for December 4, 2021, 6 to 8 p.m.

 New entrance signs 

A new ordinance (21-06 - Prohibition on Plastic Straws) was adopted by Town Council on November 1 to allow an environmentally friendly new alternative to petroleum-based plastic straws and paper-based straws. The Town’s first ban on plastic straws was adopted in 2017 and this new ordinance replaces the original one.

Birds are migrating to FMB for the winter

The Town's online permitting service is called iWorQ and can be used to:

• Search and view permits
• View status
• Download/ print approved documents
• Pay fees
• Schedule inspections

PERMIT SEARCH
If you are searching for record information or paying fees,
you are not required to create an account.

When is a permit required?
Visit the Town’s Website  to see the list of projects that require a permit and projects that do not. 

Keep up on the schedule of Town Council and advisory committee meetings

View the meeting calendar on the Town's website for the

Upcoming meetings

The Town of Fort Myers Beach has partnered with DemandStar which is open and accessible to all businesses and gives instant access to RFPs, RFQs, and ITBs 

Read more about bids and proposals