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Public Works details new city welcome signs, cites FDOT permitting and 12–16 week build time
Summary
Public Works Director Pete Bennett told the Fort Myers Economic Development Advisory Board the city will install five new dual‑sided welcome signs at FDOT right‑of‑way locations; FDOT permitting is the primary scheduling hurdle and construction will begin after permits, with a roughly 12–16 week build time per vendor.
Pete Bennett, director of public works, presented the citywide welcome‑sign program and said council had approved two monument styles and a total of five installations at FDOT right‑of‑way locations. He listed likely sites including North Fort Myers (US 41), Palm Beach Boulevard, Prospect Avenue, Dr. Martin Luther King near I‑75 and Colonial Boulevard.
Bennett walked the board through permitting steps and construction timing, saying the project is constrained by FDOT approvals. “Once the permits are in hand and approved, they will start to build the signs,” Bennett said, adding that “the build's going to take approximately 12 to 16 weeks.” He noted signs will be double‑sided and backlit but designed to meet safety rules on brightness and placement.
Board members pressed about design and maintenance. Bennett said the council had voted not to include electronic message displays because of cost and distraction concerns and described landscaping as a Parks & Rec maintenance responsibility with a contractor warranty for major repairs. He provided a planning estimate for per‑sign costs in the current procurement and said the city and council adjusted funding so the five signs could proceed within the available budget.
The board asked for the presentation slides and Bennett agreed to provide them to the advisory board email list for reference. The board did not take a formal vote on the signage program during the meeting; Bennett said installation timing depends on FDOT permit review and vendor schedule.
