Town council members plan 2050 Fort Myers Beach

It is another beautiful day in Southwest Florida. But there are plans to alter the landscape with the addition of Margaritaville and other projects.

As town leaders look ahead to the future, WINK News spoke with people about what they want to see down the road.

From crystal clear beaches to increasing the number of visitors, there are high expectations for the future of Fort Myers Beach.

“I’d like to see sidewalks and all the right of ways,” said Ed Scott, a neighbor.

“Making another option for getting on and off the beach,” said Jessica Pavichevich, a neighbor.

Town council members agree with that sentiment. On Thursday, they looked ahead to the future. Far ahead to 2050.

“People want to think ahead,” said Ray Murphy, vice mayor of Fort Myers Beach. “We want to plan for the future, so that starts with looking at the day to day stuff and then looking out to 2025 and then to 2050.”

Council members discussed everything. It can range from traffic to parking to water quality.

“They’re important for really our quality of life,” Murphy said. “Not only for our residents here but visitors and other tourists and snowbirds and so forth. So it’s really important for everybody.”

What do some of your friends and neighbors view as important down the road?

“I think it’s important that we look for those ways in the next 30 years for our future children, our grandchildren, to be able to enjoy such a beautiful area on Fort Myers Beach,” Pavichevich said.

A second is traffic congestion.

“You can see the congestion on the streets,” said Rodney Cruz, a visitor.

While the third is preparing for the next hurricane.

“Being able to provide another way for those evacuation routes having another way would make a big difference,” Pavichevich said.