Fort Myers To Sell Former News-Press Building for $11.5M Mixed-Use Project
A big transformation could reshape downtown Fort Myers as city leaders look at selling the empty News-Press building in an $11.5 million deal with Catalyst Community Development, LLC.
Since 2019, the huge 170,000-square-foot building has been sitting empty after the city bought it for $9.1 million — their original plans to turn it into a police headquarters didn’t work out.
The proposed plan includes 600 homes, 50,000 square feet of retail space, a new hotel with up to 160 rooms, and 150,000 square feet of office space. The design also features a 24,000-square-foot grocery store. Two parking garages would serve the area, with green spaces scattered throughout.
But some people aren’t happy with the plan. Community groups, including Lee Interfaith for Empowerment, worry about the lack of affordable housing — pointing out that city officials turned down an earlier plan with more affordable units.
“We’re here to speak against the fact that after turning him down, they’re letting a luxury developer come in and offer $11.5 million, and they’re ready to put it on the books and sell it to him, because they just want luxury apartments,” Dotty Morrison told Fox 4 News. “They don’t worry about the workers who keep this city running, with the tourism industry, with all of the amenities we have, and that’s not on their radar, so we’re trying to put it back on their radar.”
The agreement needs a $50,000 deposit within five business days of the agreement. Buyers then have 180 days to check things out and make their final decision. The sale requires a separate development agreement along with the purchase and sale agreement.
Before finalizing the sale, locals can share their opinions at a town hall meeting on March 3, 2025.
