Major downtown Fort Myers redevelopment projects finished

Firestone's opens, adds 200 jobs

By Colleen Hogan

CREATED Dec. 23, 2012 - UPDATED: Dec. 24, 2012

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DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS, Fla. - Rave reviews on recently completed redevelopment projects.

 
The area has just wrapped up projects, both public and private, that aim to bring people downtown.
 
Only Four In Your Corner's Colleen Hogan has the story. 
 
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"I think people are very happy to see what's happening in downtown Ft. Myers," The Firestone general manager Jon Roberson said. "We're happy to be a part of it."
 
"It has made us wanna come downtown," North Ft. Myers resident Pat Klein said, of the finished projects.
 
Months of hard work paid off.
 
The wheels of progress are in motion at the new Firestone's, the four floor complex of a restaurant, martini and sky bar on Bay Street.
 
"We have the best view in the city," Roberson said. "It's been very fun getting it open. It's a very busy place in our first week."
 
The Klein's came for drinks, to check it out.
 
They remember the red building being several different things over the years. But most recently, it's sat vacant for the last seven years.
 
"It really is such a change from what downtown Ft. Myers was a few years ago," Klein said. "This is wonderful; the way it should be."
 
Also adding to the view from the sky bar, a just finished basin project that brings the waterfront, closer.
 
"The timing was great with the coinciding (opening) of the waterfront," Roberson said.
 
The Klein's are already planning a return trip.
 
"Come to downtown Ft. Myers," Klein said. "It's beautiful!"
 
The management group that operates The Firestone also owns Ford's Garage and Los Cabos Cantina, two other hot spots recently opened downtown.
 
The general manager of Firestones says the group has more projects planned for downtown. 
 
Colleen Hogan, reporter
chogan@jrn.com