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Fort Myers seeks $5M each for Midtown and wastewater in 2026 state request
Summary
City staff presented five priority projects for the 2026 state appropriation cycle, including $5 million requests for Midtown infrastructure and the central wastewater plant, plus funding asks for a Calusa Nature Center restoration, Fire Station 18, and a septic-to-sewer conversion start.
City staff reviewed the city's proposed legislative appropriation requests for 2026 and asked council for feedback before filing. "So we're hoping to request about $5,000,000 towards a future phase of construction or design," said Jesse Megawi, summarizing the Midtown infrastructure ask alongside a separate $5,000,000 request aimed at eliminating surface water discharge at the central wastewater plant.
Staff also listed smaller requests and priorities: a Calusa Nature Center restoration project (boardwalk/trails), $1,500,000 toward Fire Station 18, and a phased citywide septic-to-sewer conversion. Megawi said the total septic conversion cost is approximately $22,800,000 and staff would request roughly $2,000,000 to start design and initial construction. Council members pressed for language that would allow feasibility studies to be funded and for clearer cost breakdowns. Staff described the estimates as preliminary and said they would refine scopes and cost validation before submission.
