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IMAG director updates council; council approves water‑tower demolition amendment and compensation
Summary
IMAG executive director Matt Johnson updated the council on museum operations and programming. The council approved a contract amendment to demolish the IMAG elevated water tower and authorized $133,483 in compensation to the IMAG History and Science Center for demolition impacts.
Matt Johnson, executive director of the IMAG History and Science Center, told the Fort Myers City Council that the nonprofit has substantially reduced reliance on city operating subsidies since privatization in 2017 while expanding earned and contributed revenue and education programming.
Johnson said IMAG’s earned and contributed revenue now comprises a large share of its budget, with substantial reinvestment in facilities and programs, and previewed an upcoming IMAG project: the city‑led demolition of the site’s elevated water tower. "The cost to save it cannot be justified," he said, adding that IMAG supports the city’s plan and will partner on mitigation and signage to maintain visibility in the MLK corridor.
Later in the meeting the council approved Amendment 1 to the demolition cooperative agreement — an increase of $494,746 to the five‑year contract amount for Utility Services Company for demolition work — and separately authorized $133,483 to IMAG to offset impacts related to the demolition (replacement of two shade sides and temporary lost revenue, staff said). City staff presented a cost breakdown and said the compensation would support replacement structures and signage; councilmembers emphasized the importance of clear signage on MLK to direct visitors to IMAG.
Both motions carried without recorded opposition. Staff and IMAG indicated they will coordinate on signing and site work to preserve IMAG’s presence in the corridor while allowing the removal of the elevated structure.
