Fort Myers Beach News for October 2, 2020

Text Hi to 239-FMBeach for information about the Town

Mound House Museum to reopen on October 6

After being closed for several months out of an abundance of caution due to COVID-19, Mound House Museum is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, October 6.

The museum's hours will be Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.moundhouse.org for additional information.

Kayak and Garden tours continue at Mound House as well as Beachwalks at Newton Beach Park. The October schedule for those can be accessed here.

Did you know? Mound House has received a 2020 "Traveler's Choice" designation as a top attraction by Trip Advisor.

Mound House Museum is designated as a traveler's choice attraction through Trip Advisor

Mound House Museum and grounds

Fort Myers Beach Community Pool renovations complete
Reopening date is Saturday, October 3!

We are excited that, after several months, the major renovation project to address health and safety concerns of the Fort Myers Beach Community Pool has been completed and the pool will reopen on Saturday, October 3!

Due to COVID and the Town’s desire to keep the community safe while patrons enjoy the pool, operations will be different than in the past:

Hours: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Days: Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday

Capacity: 18 patrons

There will be four daily sessions to enter the facility.
Each session will last 45 minutes.

Click here for more details about how the pool will operate in this age of COVID-19.

Picture of pool with lifeguard chair, slide into the water, and huge shade umbrella with lounge chairs underneath, socially distanced.

Big Carlos Pass Bridge maintenance
through November 20

Maintenance began on September 28

A contractor for the Lee County Department of Transportation will be performing maintenance work on the Big Carlos Pass Bridge through November 20.

Activities started last week. Motorists are asked to please use caution as there will be sporadic lane closures.

The contractor will be performing concrete repairs on the bridge deck. The job consists of removing the protective epoxy surface course and then removing and replacing the spalled / unsound concrete below it.

Once the concrete has been removed and replaced, the contractor will replace the epoxy coating surface course. The repair locations will be removed and replaced daily. No open spots will be left overnight.

This project does not include the entire bridge. It will only be spot repairs where needed.

Lee County anticipates that the project will start on the Bonita / Southside of the bridge and move toward the FMB side.

Aerial view of south end of the island and big carlos pass bridge

Aerial view of Big Carlos Pass Bridge at the south end of Estero Island

Guest registration for Mooring Field now online

The Town proudly operates and maintains the Matanzas Harbor Municipal Mooring Field. The field has 70 mooring balls available for public rental year-round, and accommodates vessels up to 48 feet. The field is east of the Sky Bridge between San Carlos and Estero Islands in Matanzas Pass.

Learn more about mooring fields

For recreational cruisers, Mooring Field is a wonderful destination. Coming ashore at the Town’s dinghy dock puts boaters in walking distance to beaches, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and public transportation.

To modernize the registration process and make it mobile instead of manual for guests, the Town has recently contracted with Dockwa, a marine technology company. This new online process also allows for immediate and efficient communication between the Town and guests, which will be especially helpful in emergencies or other situations that might impact guests.

Check out Mooring Field's new online registration page

Overview of Mooring Field from Matanzas Pass Bridge

Matanzas Harbor Municipal Mooring Field at sunrise

Weight room at Bay Oaks expanding hours next week

Bay Oaks weight and cardio rooms will be expanding hours starting Monday, October 5.

Reservations will still be required as will attention to CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masks are required to walk into and through the building. Social distancing and hand washing are also required.

New Hours:

Monday: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. - last reservation taken at 7 p.m.

Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. - last reservation taken at 1 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m./6 p.m. to 8 p.m. - last reservation taken at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Thursday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., last reservation taken at 1 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - last reservation taken at 1 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. - last reservation taken at 2 p.m.

Reservations must be made at least two hours in advance by calling 239-765-4222.

Walk-ins will not be accepted.

The grounds, tennis courts and pickle ball courts are open for use in accordance with CDC guidelines, including wearing masks in any outdoor space where social distancing is not possible.

Is someone you know looking for a job? We are hiring!

To learn more about working for the Town
and how to apply, click here.

Lifeguard
Maintenance Worker I
Museum Educator
Recreation Supervisor

Construction of new sidewalk set to begin October 20 on Connecticut Street

The Florida Department of Transportation’s contractor, Wrangler Construction, Inc., will begin work mid October 2020 to construct a sidewalk and drainage on the east side of Connecticut Street from Estero Boulevard to Shell Mound Boulevard.

The construction will take place Monday through Friday during daytime hours, weather permitting. Lane closures may occur from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It will be necessary for property owners to relocate/remove any landscaping within the existing right of way.

START DATE: Mid October 2020
ESTIMATED COMPLETION: By End of Year 2020
PROJECT COST: $141,000
CONTRACTOR: Wrangler Construction Inc.

For more information about the project, contact:

Lisa Macias, Community Outreach Manager
(239) 337-1071, Lisa.Macias@dot.state.fl.us

Zachary Burch, Communications Manager
(239) 225-1950, Zachary.Burch@dot.state.fl.us

Fertilizer restrictions for the Town - visit http://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/1060/Fertilizer-Information

Please share these fertilizer rules with your landscaper

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

All meetings are at Town Hall, 2525 Estero Boulevard

View the meeting calendar on the Town's website

Upcoming meetings

Town Council Meeting
Monday, October 5, 9 a.m.

Audit Committee Meeting
Monday, October 12, 9 a.m.

Local Planning Agency (LPA) Meeting
Tuesday, October 13, 9 a.m.

Marine Resources Task Force Meeting
Wednesday, October 14, 3 p.m.

Town Council Management & Planning Session
Thursday, October 15, 9 a.m.

Town Council Meeting
Monday, October 19, 9 a.m.

Anchorage Advisory Committee (AAC) Meeting
October 21, 9 a.m.

Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board (CELCAB)
October 22, 2020, 3 p.m.

Special Magistrate Hearings
October 29, 2020, 11 a.m.

Graphic to encourage people to wear their masks