Construction is underway on Fort Myers’ Midtown redevelopment, with detours already operating at Hoople Street and Central Avenue. The first phase is expected to continue through the end of 2027 and is budgeted at nearly $30 million, according to WBBH’s October 16, 2026 report.
What is happening now
Crews have started work in Midtown, and drivers and pedestrians are already encountering changed routes. The City of Fort Myers has warned that detours may change as construction moves between work areas, so people traveling through the district should allow extra time and follow posted signs rather than rely on a fixed route.
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The currently identified detour locations are:
- Hoople Street
- Central Avenue
No detailed public detour map or contractor information was included in the October 16 report. Conditions can shift as utility and roadway work progresses.
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Phase one covers nearly one-third of Midtown’s redevelopment zone. The work area is bounded by:
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- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
- Broadway Avenue
- Hoople Street
- Central Avenue
These boundaries describe the overall phase-one area; they do not mean every street inside the perimeter will be closed at the same time.
What nearly $30 million will fund
WBBH described the first phase as a nearly $30 million project. The reported scope combines underground utility work with visible transportation and public-realm improvements.
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| Work category | Reported improvements |
|---|---|
| Water and sewer | Upgrades to water and sewage systems |
| Roads | Updated road infrastructure within the phase-one area |
| Pedestrian facilities | New sidewalks |
| Street lighting | New street lamps |
The report does not provide a funding breakdown, an itemized estimate, or a schedule for each individual street. The nearly $30 million figure applies to phase one as described by WBBH in 2026 and should not be treated as the cost of the entire Midtown redevelopment zone.
When will phase one be finished?
The city expects phase one to be completed by the end of 2027. That is a target rather than a guaranteed completion date. Because detours can change during construction, the sequence of work and traffic controls may be adjusted before the target date.
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How construction is affecting people nearby
Pedestrians and accessibility
Lee County resident Noah Furr said he has seen crews making rapid progress but also described a safety problem for people walking near the work: “There’s a lot of locals that have to go along the road right here and just kind of walk along the grass and avoid the cars.” Until sidewalk routes are restored or temporary paths are provided, pedestrians should use marked crossings and obey barriers instead of entering active work zones.
Drivers and local access
Detours at Hoople Street and Central Avenue are the clearest immediate impact for motorists. The city’s warning that routes may change means a path that works one day may not be available the next. Businesses, residents and service vehicles should check signs at each approach and plan for slower travel through Midtown.
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Construction progress
Furr, who lives near the project, said: “I’ve been walking past this construction over here for the past week or so. I’ve seen the guys down here putting in a lot of good work. They’re getting that done fast.” His observation indicates visible activity, but it does not establish a revised completion date or confirm that all parts of the phase are advancing at the same rate.
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The work is intended to modernize basic infrastructure while making Midtown easier to navigate on foot and by vehicle. New utilities can address aging water and sewage systems; reconstructed roads and sidewalks can improve circulation and access; and street lighting can support a more usable public environment after dark.
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Residents also connect the investment to broader economic-development goals. Chase Henderson said that, while growing up in the area, anyone seeking “any sort of development or growth or any sort of level of energy” had to leave town. Chris Verrill called economic development good for Fort Myers but cautioned that “if we do it right, it’s still to be determined.”
Henderson also acknowledged the trade-off: “If there’s anything like, anything that’s big and ambitious, there’s always going to be obstacles, and there is going to be hardships. But the key is just being persistent.” Those comments capture the project’s central tension: long-term infrastructure and redevelopment benefits depend on completing a large, disruptive build safely.
What residents and visitors should do during construction
- Follow the latest signs and barricades at Hoople Street and Central Avenue.
- Expect detour patterns to change as crews move through the work area.
- Allow additional travel time when crossing the Midtown boundaries.
- Stay out of excavation and equipment areas, and use designated pedestrian routes where available.
- Businesses and residents inside the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Broadway Avenue, Hoople Street and Central Avenue boundaries should plan deliveries and service visits around active work zones.
What is not yet publicly specified
The October 16, 2026 report does not identify the construction contractor, explain how the nearly $30 million will be financed, publish a detailed detour map, or provide a separate official project webpage. Those details would be needed to evaluate individual closures, payment sources, project milestones or contact procedures beyond the city’s general notice that traffic controls may change.
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