Fort Myers is changing. If you’ve driven past the Edison Ford Winter Estates lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The cranes are back, but this isn't just another round of "Florida growth." It's a fundamental shift in what the City of Palms looks like.
Honestly, the local news Fort Myers FL landscape right now is dominated by one thing: density. While we used to be a town of sprawling ranch homes and mid-rise condos, 2026 is the year we start looking vertical. Between a massive 23-story tower proposal and the billion-dollar expansion of our medical and airport hubs, the small-town feel is officially on the clock.
The Sky-High Debate Near the Edison Ford Estates
The most talked-about story in local news Fort Myers FL this week centers on a massive proposal from developer Mark McLaren. He wants to put a 23-story tower right next to the historic Edison Ford Winter Estates.
We are talking about 600 units—a mix of hotel rooms and apartments—on a site where the current zoning only allows for about 70 units per acre. McLaren is asking for 300 units per acre. That is a 400% increase.
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Councilman Fred Burson basically called it a "reach" during the January 12 meeting. It’s a tough sell. On one hand, you have the "vibrancy" argument. On the other, you have people like Councilman Liston Bochette pointing out that McGregor Boulevard is a historic treasure, not a concrete canyon. The project would replace the current Pinchers location and a Christian Science church. If it moves forward, construction is still 18 to 24 months out, but the "cityscape changing" talk has residents on edge.
Safety and Technology: The $2 Million Upgrade
While the skyline is shifting, the Fort Myers Police Department is getting a massive tech overhaul. On January 5, the City Council greenlit several major grants to tackle gun violence and drug trafficking.
- ShotSpotter Renewal: The city is dropping $868,000 to keep the gunshot detection system live for three more years. It covers four square miles and can pinpoint a shot within 82 feet.
- Opioid Crackdown: A $175,000 DOJ grant is fueling "Operation SAFE," which specifically targets fentanyl rings.
- Digital Dispatch: They’ve also signed a $1 million deal for Mark43, a cloud-based dispatch system to keep 911 calls moving faster.
It isn't just about hardware, though. Every officer in the department is slated for new de-escalation training funded by a $300,000 federal grant. In a time when public trust is everything, this is a significant move for local law enforcement.
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The Infrastructure Boom Nobody Talks About
Most people focus on the new restaurants, but the real local news Fort Myers FL is happening underground and at the airport. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is currently in the middle of a terminal expansion that adds 14 new gates. They are prepping for an extra 10,000 to 15,000 passengers a day.
Then there’s Lee Health. They are building an $824 million hospital to replace the old Lee Memorial. It won’t be fully open until 2028, but the construction footprint is already massive. If you live east of I-75, you've probably seen the dust from the Kingston project. That’s 10,000 homes coming to 7,000 acres. It is literally an entire city being built from scratch.
January Events You Can't Miss
If you're tired of the heavy stuff, the next few weeks are actually pretty great for getting out.
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The Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival hits the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater on January 24 and 25. Expect kilts, Guinness, and the Screaming Orphans. It’s $5 for a ticket if you’re an adult; kids under 12 are free but still need a reserved spot.
Also, the Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival kicks off January 30. If you’ve never been, it’s basically three days of eating your weight in stone crab while listening to local bands.
What This Means for Your Property Taxes
The city just released the FY 2025-26 Adopted Annual Budget Book. With all this growth, property taxes are the fuel. The city is using that cash for the Water Treatment Plant expansion and a new multi-use path on Hill Avenue.
The Hill Avenue path is a big deal for walkers and bikers—it’s a 12-foot-wide asphalt trail running from the Fort Myers Country Club to Golf View Avenue. It should be finished by May 2026.
Actionable Steps for Residents
- Check the Development Map: The Lee County Economic Development Office has a "Story Map" online. You can see exactly what is being built in your backyard before the shovels hit the ground.
- Use FixMyFort: If there's a pothole or a broken streetlight, use the new FixMyFort app. The city is actually tracking these requests now via the CivicPlus platform.
- Apply for Recovery Funds: There is still over $1.7 million left in the Hurricane Housing Recovery Program (HHRP). If your home still has Ian damage, apply now through the city's official portal.
- Attend the State of the Economy: On February 5, the Horizon Council is hosting their annual meeting at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. It costs $50, but if you want to know which businesses are moving here next, that’s where the info is.
Fort Myers isn't the sleepy river town it used to be. The transition to a modern, dense city is happening in real-time. Whether that's a good thing depends on whether you're looking for a job in the new Amazon robotics center or trying to preserve the view from McGregor Boulevard. Either way, the "City of Palms" is definitely growing up.