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Council approves $11 million sale of former News-Press site to Catalyst Development, two council members dissent
Summary
Council approved a first amendment to sell about 9.84 acres of the former News-Press site and old Fire Station No. 1 to Catalyst Community Development LLC for $11,000,500. The motion passed with two 'No' votes from council members Watson and Bochette; the sale drew brief council remarks about preserving a historic fire station.
On Sept. 15 the Fort Myers City Council approved a first amendment to the purchase and sale agreement to dispose of roughly 9.84 acres of the former News-Press site and old Fire Station No. 1 to Catalyst Community Development LLC for $11,000,500.
Council discussion included a lament that the city will lose a historic fire-station building but a suggestion to memorialize it in some way. The motion passed after a roll call vote in which Councilmembers Watson and Bochette voted No and the remainder voted Yes; the clerk announced the motion carries. Mayor Anderson and other council members signaled support for moving the redevelopment forward.
Council did not detail developer commitments or a specific timeline for the buyer’s next steps during the public meeting; staff noted standard disposition and closing processes will follow the agreement amendment.
