FORT MYERS, Fla. - Clubs and bars in the RiverDistrict are struggling to stay afloat.

They've come up with a plan to keep business going, but it's making waves with the city of Fort Myers.

"It's come to a critical point where something has to be done about it," said Raymond Aulen.

Aulen owns the Indigo Room in the RiverDistrict.

The Indigo Room was once a popular place, but like many other bars and clubs on his block, Aulen has seen business sink.

He adds it has nothing to do with a slow economy.

"We were on an upward trend," Aulen said.

According to Aulen, the trouble began in 2002, when the Fort Myers City Council passed an ordinance banning bars and clubs from allowing anyone under 21 inside.

Since then the 18-20 year old crowd has gone elsewhere and taken many of their friends with them.

Aulen says, "It's been difficult for us to compete with other areas like out of the city limits and the county."

Some of those areas include, the Gulf Coast Town Center, which appeals to young adults to mature ones.

So Aulen and other bar and clubs owners are pushing for change.

They're asking the city council to consider allowing clubs and bars to go 18 plus.

Aulen says there's more to these businesses than just drinking.

"I've got pool tables, games. They want to socialize with their friends. There's a lot of things to do here," he said.

The City Council hasn't budged yet.

Aulen hopes they'll at least consider the proposal-- at least on a trial period.

"Just because it didn't work before doesn't mean it can't work this time around," Aulen told WINK News.

WINK News spoke to Councilman Michael Flanders who oversees the River District.

He says he's not completely opposed to the idea, but worries opening the doors to 18 to 20 year olds will cause lines to be wrapped around corners of Downtown Fort Myers, which he fears could disrupt traffic, upset residents, and create safety problems.

Though Councilman Flanders did say if more tweaking is done to the proposal, the City Council could consider it.