04/05/2026
What do they say? Everything Old is New Again-but this time, it comes with a twist I never saw coming.
Six years ago, I sold a 10.98-acre property to a development group that saw potential in its multifamily or mixed-use entitlements and stellar location. We imagined something vibrant but challenging—a live-local concept that would have required building higher than anything nearby, solving tricky layout constraints, and investing heavily in creative (and costly) parking solutions. The site had promise, no doubt, but it also came with its share of hurdles.
Here we are today and the story has taken a far better turn than I ever could have imagined.
The City of Fort Myers recently purchased the property for $3.45 million—not for development in the traditional sense, but as part of a future public park. And suddenly, everything clicks into place.
A little backstory: the city had been gifted an adjoining 15-acre preserve and an additional 15 acres of lake by a CDD. Beautiful land, ideal for passive recreation—think elevated boardwalks winding through shaded tree canopies—but with limitations. No parking. No restrooms. No real way to make it fully accessible to the public.
That’s where this parcel changes everything.
With its 7.54 acres of land and 3.54 acres of lake, it provides exactly what was missing-the infrastructure backbone for a true park experience. Combined, the city now has not just a preserve, but a fully realized park site anchored by an expansive 18-acre lake.
What once felt like a difficult development puzzle has become something far more meaningful: a community asset. A place where nature, accessibility, and thoughtful planning converge.
Now the only question is what comes next. Will there be access for non-motorized watercraft? How will the park take shape over time? One thing is certain—the possibilities are far more exciting than anything that was first envisioned.
An added bonus, by bringing these parcels together, the city has expanded its boundaries further south...Now we’re talking!
