Fort Myers seeks federal funding for arts center restoration and Edison Avenue extension
March 09, 2026 | Fort Myers City, Lee County, Florida
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Jessica McElwee briefed council on two projects the city is submitting for federal appropriations this cycle.
The first is restoration of the Sidney Byrne/Davis Art Center, which needs facade repair (coral limestone spalling), window rehabilitation with hurricane-impact framing and basement flood mitigation; staff requested $1,750,000 for those repairs and mitigation measures. "We requested $1,750,000 for that project," McElwee said.
The second request is $2,000,000 in construction funding for the Edison Avenue extension, a capital project the city is actively planning. McElwee said staff prioritized projects that align with congressional interest (transportation) and fit the city's planned schedule; she noted Lee County municipalities received no federal appropriations last year and said the city hopes to improve its odds this cycle.
Council did not object to the submittals and staff will finalize and submit the two project requests by the agency deadline.
The first is restoration of the Sidney Byrne/Davis Art Center, which needs facade repair (coral limestone spalling), window rehabilitation with hurricane-impact framing and basement flood mitigation; staff requested $1,750,000 for those repairs and mitigation measures. "We requested $1,750,000 for that project," McElwee said.
The second request is $2,000,000 in construction funding for the Edison Avenue extension, a capital project the city is actively planning. McElwee said staff prioritized projects that align with congressional interest (transportation) and fit the city's planned schedule; she noted Lee County municipalities received no federal appropriations last year and said the city hopes to improve its odds this cycle.
Council did not object to the submittals and staff will finalize and submit the two project requests by the agency deadline.
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