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Fort Myers CRA selects Perkins and Will to lead Innovation Walk master plan
Summary
The Fort Myers CRA authorized staff to negotiate a contract with Perkins and Will to develop the Innovation Walk master plan, a downtown corridor project funded from the downtown trust fund; staff estimated the study would take about 9–12 months and commissioners requested a workshop to review phasing.
The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency on Tuesday authorized staff to negotiate and execute a contract with Perkins and Will to prepare the Innovation Walk master plan, a corridor design project that will connect the waterfront and Centennial Park to the Edison and Fort Myers Winter Estates.
Lashawn Miller Brooks Collier, who presented the item for CRA staff, said the agency released a request for qualifications in June, shortlisted seven firms and held interviews on Nov. 24. “Perkins and Will ranked the highest,” Collier said, adding the firm demonstrated a meaningful community engagement approach aligned with the 2025 downtown redevelopment plan.
The plan is intended to create an “activated, walkable experience” using placemaking, technology and public-realm design, Collier said. Staff told commissioners funding for the master plan is already budgeted in the downtown trust fund; during questions the CRA estimated the study would likely require about nine to 12 months to complete.
Commissioners asked for a workshop so elected officials and staff could review proposed phasing and installations before final approvals. Director Hilton Terry confirmed the procurement and recommended contract would include community meetings and the public engagement the board requested.
The board voted to authorize staff to negotiate and execute the contract, subject to the CRA attorney’s final review. The motion passed by voice vote. The next steps are contract negotiation, scheduling the community engagement outlined in the proposal and returning to the board for final contract approval and any required phased funding allocations.
