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Design concepts unveiled for underpasses and bridge lighting in Fort Myers River District
Summary
Designers presented three underpass beautification concepts and several bridge-underdeck lighting schemes to the CRA, emphasizing nighttime activation, FDOT coordination and compliance with state rules limiting decorative light colors to red, white and blue.
Designers presented three conceptual approaches to underpass and Main Street improvements intended to brighten and better connect downtown Fort Myers with walkable corridors and the Innovation Walk.
Kristen Alexa, a landscape architect working with Kimberly Horn’s team, described three concepts: an illuminated “tree” motif with widened pedestrian paths and mosaic panels; a gateway-arch alternative with sculptural opportunities and artist commissions; and a mangrove-inspired arch design meant to convey resiliency and local ecology. Alexa said the concepts were preliminary and intended to stay largely within existing right-of-way footprints while creating more inviting pedestrian spaces.
A separate lighting presentation proposed underside bridge illumination that points light up from beneath beams to highlight the deck and create a glow over the water and walkways. The presenter said the CRA held a pre-application meeting with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and that FDOT was “extremely receptive” to a beautification permit for the work, while emphasizing safety setbacks and avoidance of clear zones for vehicle operations.
Designers and staff cautioned the board these are concept-level proposals that will require additional engineering, coordination with FDOT and environmental review. The lighting presenter noted state law currently restricts decorative light colors to red, white and blue and advised the board that fixture capability for full color exists but must be used in compliance with state restrictions.
Why it matters: The concepts aim to improve pedestrian safety and downtown vitality and to tie public art and lighting into the larger Innovation Walk initiative. Staff said the projects will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners and the city beautification committee and that permitting timelines with FDOT will shape installation schedules.
What’s next: Staff plans to take the concepts to the city’s beautification committee and the Board of County Commissioners, continue FDOT coordination and refine schematic designs; an informal estimate discussed in the meeting suggested 2027 as an earliest installation horizon if permitting and funding progress as hoped.
Quotes from the meeting include Kristen Alexa’s description of concept A as an “illuminated urban forest” and the lighting presenter’s observation that FDOT officials were “extremely receptive” to the beautification permit.
