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Consultant: FDOT review could take about six months for US 41 median landscaping
Summary
At a Fort Myers CRA meeting, RVI consultant Sabrina McCabe updated the board on the US 41 (Cleveland Avenue) median landscaping plan, saying construction documents are ~90% complete and that FDOT permitting could take roughly six months before final approval. Commissioners pressed for safety measures at crosswalks and asked the team to avoid species that block sight lines.
Sabrina McCabe, a landscape consultant with RVI, told the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency that construction documents for the US 41 (Cleveland Avenue) median landscaping are advanced and ready for FDOT submittal.
"We have the level of landscaping and irrigation set we have right now...the landscaping, I would say is...fully shown to a 90% level," McCabe said. She described a native-focused plant palette, transition zones and low plantings near crosswalks to preserve sight lines and pedestrian safety.
Melanie Long, assistant director for the CRA, introduced McCabe and said the design set is moving to construction-document stage and will enter the FDOT permitting process. McCabe said the team plans to submit construction documents in the next week or two and that individual FDOT reviews can take about a month each; "So 6 months of review process with DOT before we can get their approval," she said.
Board members pressed for details on staging, lane closures and the possibility of night work to reduce peak-hour impacts. McCabe said staging and MOT plans would be developed with the contractor and that the team can explore off-peak or night work if warranted.
A commissioner raised pedestrian-safety concerns and cited a recent fatality near another marked crossing, urging clearer demarcation ahead of crosswalks. McCabe said the next design phase can study hardscape and lighting options such as flashing beacons and other active crossing features.
The board also queried plant species. One commissioner warned that some palms can block drivers' sight lines: "sable palm is really not appropriate for a median," the commissioner said. McCabe replied that the plans show silver thatch and Alexander palms rather than sable and that the team will re-examine species choice to ensure visibility.
The presentation covered project length (discussed as about 2.5–2.7 miles), planting zones, and next steps: finalize construction documents, complete FDOT reviews, then put the work out to bid. McCabe and staff said they will return with more detail on hardscape options and timing as the permitting process proceeds.
