December 22, 2021 / Issue #2021-51
The Town will celebrate its 26th year of incorporation on December 31, 2021, with the return of the annual cupcake giveaway in Times Square and a fireworks display and ball drop.
The cupcake giveaway will be from noon to 1 p.m. or until gone. It is a tradition that was begun by several families after the Town was incorporated in 1995.
Thanks to the generous support of local merchants, residents and visitors, there will be a ball drop and fireworks display starting at midnight in Times Square. The pier will be closed to all traffic for the festivities.
Please help keep everyone safe and the festivities enjoyable by observing the Town's ordinances that prohibit personal fireworks displays in any part of the Town, including the beach. Also, open containers of alcohol are prohibited outside the boundaries of Times Square. Trash needs to be disposed of in the proper receptacles. Glass containers are not permitted on the beach.
Traffic is expected to be heavy in the Downtown District for these events. Visitors should consider using the convenient public transportation options offered by LeeTran, particularly the park and ride lot located a few miles off Estero Island at Pine Ridge Road. LeeTran will be extending hours for its beach services until 1 a.m. Call 239-533-8726 with questions.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed to oncoming traffic from midnight to 1:30 a.m. Big Carlos Pass Bridge on the sound end of the Island will be open.
For information about Town parking, text the word PARKING to 239-FMBeach (239-362-3224) or visit the parking section on the Town's website.
The Beach and Street Enforcement (BASE) team monitors town spaces and posts the percentage of their availability at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. daily. The Town operates several hundred pay-for-parking spaces in and near the Downtown District and beach accesses. There are also several commercial lots.
Watch the Town's website and social media outlets for updates.
For information about New Year's Eve activities and entertainment in retail and restaurant establishments, visit the FMB Chamber of Commerce website.
Register to Adopt a Tree for FREE
In celebration of Florida's Arbor Day, the Town of Fort Myers Beach is hosting an Adopt-A-Tree Event.
9 a.m. to noon
Bay Oaks Recreation Center
2731 Oak Street, Fort Myers Beach, 33931
RSVP by filling out this form by January 14, 2022
Fort Myers Beach property owners, business owners and non-profit organizations can sign up to adopt a native tree for FREE and pick it up at the event. Applicants can choose one of these two native species of trees:
Orange Geiger
Bahama Strongbark
Trees must be planted on the applicant's property in the Town. It is important that applicants choose the right tree and location for their adopted tree. Applicants should read and understand the information at the links provided regarding each tree species size, planting and care guidelines.
Caring for trees
How to plant trees
Eligibility & Requirements:
Limit (1) tree per Town residential property/business/non-profit owner per year. Application with proof of ownership required.
The adopted tree must be planted on private property at least 20 feet from the edge of the road or sidewalk and at least 10 feet away from side and rear yard property lines.
Guidelines from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for planting and establishing a tree must be followed.
Florida Power and Light Tree Planting Guidelines must be read and followed.
Written commitment must be given to care for the tree or replace the tree.
Town residential property, business, and non-profit owners will need to fill out an application and show proof of residency/business/non-profit ownership to qualify (License/ID, Property Tax Bill, LeePA property data page).
Approved applicants will be responsible for independently transporting and planting the adopted tree onto their property.
Bay Oaks Youth Flag Football is back!
(Be sure to scroll down.)
The dates are January 18, 2022, through February 24, 2022. Times are 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost is $20 a player. Games will be held on the Bay Oaks fields at 2731 Oak Street.
For more information, email
Nicole.berzin@fmbgov.com
or call Bay Oaks
Bay Oaks Recreational Campus encompasses 15 acres and is operated by the Town of Fort Myers Beach. It houses a community pool, two baseball/softball fields, a disc golf course, three outdoor pickleball courts, four tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground, and a gym with a fitness center.
Also provided are summer youth programs, after-school programs, and adult and senior programs and classes. The campus has a variety of open natural space for the community and visitors to enjoy.
A redevelopment of the campus has been in the planning stages for a couple of years and construction is expected to begin later in 2022. Keep up on its progress and other Projects Around Town.
Stress free parking
The Town has some tools and tips to help
When visiting the Downtown District - Times Square, the Pier, Bayside Park - or the Beach, keep in mind that the Town has several hundred public spaces in those areas and nearby. Lee County also operates spaces in the Downtown District and there are paid commercial lots.
Consider enjoying the beach from a public access that you have not been to before. Spread along Estero Boulevard are 26 public beach accesses - many with paid parking - for five or so miles from the Matanzas Pass Bridge on the north end of Town toward the Big Carlos Pass Bridge on the south end of Town. Look for the beach access signs hanging from poles at each entrance off Estero Boulevard.
Text PARKING to 239-FMBeach (239-362-3224) for more information about parking and to see the percentage of spaces that are currently available throughout Town.
The Town's Beach and Street Enforcement (BASE) Team is monitoring the Town's spaces at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. daily and posting the percentage of spaces that are available here.
Parking in the right of way or on private property (unless it is a designated parking area) is not permitted.
Visit the parking section on the Town's website.
Pay for parking in Town spaces by downloading the Passport parking app.
Park at the Lee County park and ride lot on Pine Ridge Road and ride the Trolley.
Town Hall at 2525 Estero Boulevard now has paid parking spaces after business hours and on the weekends with a couple of beach accesses within easy walking distance.
Before you head out, check the Town's traffic cams located at Town Hall and near Newton Beach Park to see how things are moving.
Newton Beach Park at 2650 Estero Boulevard (mid Island) is a great place to spend a day at the Beach! The park has a spectacular beach with nearby restrooms and showers, Tiki Huts, picnic tables, and an accessible ramp.
Spots for the FMB Citizens Academy to be held in February 2022 are already filling up quickly!
Don't delay if you have been thinking about attending
Click here to reserve your spot
Learn about Town operations, meet and speak with Town officials and staff members, and explore Town-owned facilities.
Wednesday, February 9, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Town Hall Day
Wednesday, February 16, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Heart of the Island - Bay Oaks, Mound House, Newton Beach Park
Wednesday, February 23, 8:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Downtown District and Island Tours
Monday, March 7, 9 a.m.
Graduation with Town Council
This week at Mound House
December 23 through January 1, 2022
Mound House Outdoor Nature & Education December 2021 Events
January 2022 program calendar
FDOT is proceeding with plans for replacement of the Big Carlos Pass Bridge
The plans call for replacing the bridge with a fixed bridge that will provide a vertical navigation clearance of 60 feet. The new bridge will be constructed on the Gulf side of the existing bridge.
Visit www.bigcarlosbridgeproject.com for more information.
Contact Tom Marquardt, P.E.
Lee County Department of Transportation Project Manager
tmarquardt@leegov.com.
Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) is focusing on single family houses and small condos for its Retrofit Lighting Grant Program.
Learn how to participate:
https://conserveturtles.org/stc-expands-lighting-retrofit-to-fl-southwest-coast/
Text to 911 is live and operational for all residents and visitors of Lee County
For more information about texting 911, visit www.leegov.com/911
The Lee Board of County Commissioners and Lee County Sheriff's Office today announced that county residents and visitors now can send a text to 911 in an emergency.
Placing a voice call to 911 remains the most effective method for requesting emergency assistance. Text to 911 should only be used when the caller is:
Deaf or hard of hearing
Experiencing a medical event that makes clear speech difficult
In a dangerous situation where it is not possible to safely make a voice call, such as an active shooter, domestic violence incident or home invasion.
Vehicle and pedestrian traffic is increasing
LeeTran's seasonal service has resumed
The beach tram offers fare-free tram service running from Bowditch Point Park to Matanzas Pass Preserve
Beach service includes three trams estimated to run every 15 minutes, depending on traffic, seven days a week starting at 8 a.m. from Bowditch Point Park. The last pickup is at 11:30 p.m. at Matanzas Pass Preserve.
The open-air, multi-car trams provide an easy, fun way to travel along the beach from hotels to restaurants to shopping and other attractions.
Schedules for routes
Follow service-related updates or learn more
Environmental education booth schedule for December & January
Representatives from the Marine Resources Task Force (MRTF) are hosting a pop-up educational booth
Keep up on the schedule of Town Council and advisory committee meetings
All meetings are at Town Hall, 2525 Estero Boulevard
Live and recorded meetings can also be viewed on the
Town's YouTube channel and live meetings can be watched on Comcast Channel 98
View the meeting calendar on the Town's website for the
Tuesday, January 4 / 9:00 a.m.
Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board Meeting
Monday, January 10 / 9:00 a.m.
Town Council Meeting
*Meetings are subject to change; please refer to the agendas posted on the Town's Website.
Town Hall is open for walk-in service from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments are strongly encouraged to minimize wait times. Call 239-765-0202 to schedule an appointment with the appropriate department.
NOTE: All employees in Town Hall might not yet be fully vaccinated against COVID.
Status on bids and proposals
The Town of Fort Myers Beach has partnered with DemandStar which is open and accessible to all businesses and gives instant access to RFPs, RFQs, and ITBs
Read more about bids and proposals
There are no open bid opportunities, and no solicitations under review at this time for the Town of Fort Myers Beach
Town of Fort Myers Beach
2525 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach, Fla. 33931 / www.fmbgov.com