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SWFL’s largest warehouse and distribution center planned for Fort Myers could be Amazon

A massive new Amazon warehouse, larger than the Edison Mall, could be coming to Fort Myers.

The nearly 1.5 million-square-foot warehouse and distribution center would sit on land east of I-75 and north of State Road 82.

Our partners at Gulfshore Business broke this story, reporting if the city gives its OK, it will sit on what’s currently about 300 acres of vacant land . It would flank and potentially surround Lexington Palms at the Forum, a 302-unit apartment complex built about 20 years ago.

The developer posted signs along Dr. Martlin Luther King Blvd. to advertise a public hearing, which will happen next Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the city’s board adjustment meeting at City Hall. The hearing is for a “conditional use request” to allow the 1,479,813-square-foot warehouse and distribution center.

There’s still some mystery around who the developer is. Still, Gulfshore Business reporter David Dorsey said, while Amazon’s name is not on any paperwork yet, Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson told him it’s not hard to connect the dots.

“I think most people can figure it out,” Anderson said. “At least at that meeting, they’re going to have to reveal themselves. But it’s a company that distributes stuff. We’re very grateful for the idea. It could be bringing in 2,000 jobs at least.”

The land is owned by Charles Huether of Fort Myers under two companies. C-Hack LLC purchased the western chunk of land for $2.2 million in June 2003, property records show. Keystone Creek LLC bought the property just to the south of the apartment complex for $945,300 in October 2004. Keystone Creek LLC bought the largest of the involved parcels for $5.6 million in March 2004 and another parcel for $1.3 million in February 2004.

Huether and his company could not be reached for comment.

Amazon just opened a sortation facility last month off Alico Road in south Fort Myers next to a last-mile delivery center that’s slated to open next year. Those come in at more than 275,000 square feet.

Florida News Times

The new HCA Hospital is just a few blocks from the planned Lee Health Hospital

The new hospital can create competition in southwestern Florida and help save patients money.

HCA Healthcare plans to build a 100-bed acute care hospital to meet the growing needs of Fort Myers. The hospital is located along Colonial Boulevard near Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard.

It is right next to the planned Lee Health Hospital.

More health care, more doctors, more nurses sounds like a great idea for Mike Stamatopoulos. “I live in the Challenger Boulevard watermark community. I think the new Lee Health Center will be directly across the street in the next few years,” said Stamatopros.

The new 216-bed Lee Health facility is within walking distance of him when it was built in 2027.

However, just two miles away, a new HCA Healthcare Hospital will be set up in 2025. Dr. Ravichari is President of HCA Healthcare West Florida. He tells WINkNews why they are building a hospital near another proposed project. “Our focus was on providing choices, so we have choices for our existence … What patients have is what we think we will be well received.” Dr. Rabbi said.

Sandra Waltz has already been selected due to its existing relationship with Lee Health. “Now they send people home, so it’s really great because people of all kinds will support us after we leave,” Waltz said.

In any case, she is still happy that the community has been given another option. “Sure, the more hospitals you have, the better. This place is really growing,” Waltz said.

The new HCA hospital has 100 beds and includes 2 trauma rooms, a 16-bed intensive care unit, and a blood-blocking device for people leaving the ICU.

“With the abolition of the need certificate process a few years ago, Lee Health knew that it was a liar for commercial hospitals to enter the market, as in the last century. Lee Health will continue to serve all residents of the region through an excellent care system that extends far beyond the five acute care hospitals. “

Lee Health is building a hospital with 216 beds along Colonial Blvd. Fort Myers

Lee Health intends to construct a hospital of 216 beds along Colonial Boulevard, east Fort Myers in the next five-years. It will continue to operate the aging Lee Memorial Hospital near the city’s downtown during that time, but it’s unclear what will happen to the property after that.

The project was approved by the elected Board of Directors on Thursday.

The regulators need to approve and work out many details, which are not expected to be finished until 2027. Officials at Lee Health estimate that the project will cost approximately $450 million. The facility is planned for 52 acres along Challenger Boulevard, between Colonial Boulevard and Winkler Avenue.

In addition to the 216 patient beds, the new hospital (now referred to only as “Lee Health Colonial Campus”) will include a 30-bay emergency department and a 16-bed unit that will allow for patient observation to determine whether they should be admitted.

Lee Health will also construct a building to house a medical clinic for outpatient visits. It will include related medical services and data centers.

“Our area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and this new hospital campus will ensure that everyone has the access to the quality health care they deserve,” Lee Health President and CEO Larry Antonucci said in a statement. Lee Health has a strong commitment to community growth and keeping up to date with current trends in delivery of healthcare to offer the best care possible for its patients.

This project is coming as the hospital system closes its $315 million expansion at Gulf Coast Medical Center, south Fort Myers. Lee Health is also relocating its trauma center — the only one in this immediate region — to Gulf Coast from Lee Memorial Hospital as part of that project. It announced last month plans to construct a $150-million medical facility in West Cape Coral.

Kevin Anderson, Fort Myers Mayor, issued his own statement on Thursday. He praised the news. “The City is thrilled to host a new state-of-the art health care center within the city limits. Lee Health has served our city for more than 100 years, and this project exemplifies their commitment to our community by expanding access to high-quality health care.”

Frank Gluck is the watchdog reporter for The News-Press, and Naples Daily News. Connect with him at fgluck@news-press.com or on Twitter: @FrankGluck.

Wink News

State to begin road project on Colonial Blvd at I-75 in Fort Myers

There are projects that have been designed to to make a busy road safer and commutes shorter.

Florida Department of Transportation is preparing to create a diverging diamond on Colonial Boulevard near I-75 in Fort Myers. Construction for the project is set to begin in August and is expected to take a little more than a year to finish.

FDOT says lane shifts will begin in August along Colonial here at I-75, but officials say the same number of lanes will remain while the work is being done, and lane closures will happen overnight.

Three separate projects will take place over the next three years along Colonial — One at Six Mile Cypress Parkway, one at I-75 and one at The Forum.

The FDOT says only one project will be worked on at a time to minimize the impact to drivers.

Drivers we spoke to said they’re excited about the new look of the roadway but nervous about increased delays.

“Traffic gets backed up all the way back to where The Forum is,” Benney Nguyen said. “So, you know, it just creates so much time just to like wait.”

“It’s always busy depending on the time of day,” Tomas Ortiz said.

While all three projects will have their own unique design, FDOT says it will work together and help make this stretch safer and more efficient.

The diverging diamond interchange at Colonial and I-75 will mean all left turns will happen without crossing oncoming traffic, which officials say will make it safer and eliminate T-bone crashes. There will also be fewer traffic lights, meaning less wait times through the area.

“Just spending less time on that huge traffic would just make my day so much better,” Nguyen said.

“Well, if it makes it easier, it should be better,” Ortiz said. “But, of course, construction always slows things up.”

During a question and answer forum with the community, FDOT officials also said they’re making sure each project is completed on time by using incentives.

FDOT officials also say there are penalties for the contractor if they do not complete the project on time.

Florida Department of Transportation has a digital interactive website with details about each phase of the projects. There, you can also see what it looks like to drive through a diverging diamond interchange.