Civic president: Empty storefronts hampering development
Empty storefronts are hampering the ability to bring new businesses into North Fort Myers one community business leader maintains.
North Fort Myers Civic Association president Michael Land said he drove through town recently with two women from Sanibel who own “Local Roots,” which conducts five farmer’s markets in the area.
They reportedly did not like what they saw.
“I’ve been here 15 years and you drive by every day and don’t notice how they’re going downhill,” Land said of shopping centers with vacant storefronts. “The ladies were visibly upset and it made me take a look and realize something drastic has to be done.”
The women agreed to give a farmer’s market a try, but many others in similar decision-making capacities who have come to North Fort Myers and seen the empty storefronts have decided against moving here, Land maintains, adding some key centers lack updating and maintenance, making people think twice before stopping.
He said he has scheduled a meeting with Eric Berglund, executive director of the Southwest Florida Economic Development Alliance about what can be done to attract business to the area.
“There is nothing more important than filling the vacancies we have,” Land said.
Gregg Makepeace asked what Land hoped to accomplish by having the meeting with the alliance.
“I want someone to shake things up. We always let things go. I want someone to talk with someone and not wait for some good old boy,” Land said.
Makepeace understood the frustration, saying he has dealt with it himself. But he also added the civic association’s job is not to become a Realtor.
Wendy Fahl added something needs to be done and that meetings with outside people can’t hurt.
“If we keep going like this, we’re going to sink deeper,” Fahl said.
“Everybody can see what’s happening and we have elected officials in the county who know nothing except that stores are shutting down,” Makepeace said. “If I owned a business, why would I put it in an empty place?”
In other Civic Association business, Land confirmed a “Lunch with the Sheriff” event with Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott at the Road 41 Grill for July 31.
Tentative plans have also been made to hold a business/ back-to-school event at the recreation center sometime in late August. County commissioners and other business experts will be invited to speak, and businesses can set up tables for $25 each.
The association voted to sponsor the event, as well as renew the web domain with Go-Daddy.