The ‘Jewel’ vs. Lee County’s neglect
Lee County is preparing to fork over $75 million to build yet another Ball Park for the Red Sox to keep them here for a seasonal attraction.
Contrast that with our treatment by County. Fort Myers Beach is a huge, year-round people attraction and driver of Lee County growth. Yet in the last five years, County levied property taxes on our Town to the tune of $75 million while neglecting needs of the County’s ‘Jewel.’
County’s securing of the properties in the Times Square area to Crescent can give a needed uplift to our Town’s appearance, improve our traffic and parking problems, help business, and provide a new home for Town Hall.
More Attractive Town Center
The currently vacant land between Estero Boulevard and the Gulf can become an attraction for the Island.
Estero Boulevard south to Crescent Street can become a pedestrian only mall area. This is in conjunction with a re-developed Crescent Street by-pass to and from the bridge.
We do not need more condos, hotels in that area. What goes in that area needs to be limited to two stories, with a parking structure. A new Town Hall there also would get us out of our current high rent.
Traffic Improvement
Pedestrian interference from Times Square south to Crescent Street stops traffic completely. The Crescent street by-pass would help traffic flow onto and off the island with less auto emissions.
A parking structure can be built in the new center. We badly need parking.
Financing
From the past five years to the next five years, County taxes on our Town will in all probability exceed $150 million.
Is it not fair to get County to send more of that $150 million back to our Town? Other than partly paying for Lee County Sheriff’s Department costs, what other major property tax support does Lee County give us?
My proposal is that County buy the total block of property including the beach property and the circumscribed property described above. Fund it with our past or future dollars. Deed that property to the Town in recognition of the Town’s value to Lee County and its growth.
Our Town then leases parts of our new property to interested property owners with a 99-year land leases. All revenue go to the Town. Land leasing has tax advantages to businesses.
It’s pay-back time for years of Lee County gross neglect and inattention to the ‘Jewel’ of Lee County