Fort Myers residents are voicing their ongoing frustration over the delays in revitalizing the Yacht Basin and surrounding areas. The site, which once housed a thriving yacht basin and an old convenience store, now stands neglected with cracked asphalt and docks in disrepair.

“We’re so used to the fence we don’t even talk about it anymore. It’s kind of a sad situation,” said Matthias Meyer, a Fort Myers neighbor.

Meyer expressed disbelief at the lack of progress over the past three years.

“It’s shocking that almost nothing has changed in three years. So I don’t understand why it takes three years to get people going,” he said.

The area holds significant importance for many residents.

“It’s the most important thing out of Fort Myers, that’s why we moved here,” Meyer said.

WINK News learned that permits are the main obstacle delaying the project’s progress. Mayor Kevin Anderson of Fort Myers explained the situation.

“Now it’s been a waiting game, waiting on the Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection… and of course, most recently with the shutdown in the government that didn’t help with the Army Corps,” said Anderson.

Anderson acknowledged the symbolic weight of the fenced-off Yacht Basin.

“Having our Yacht Basin fenced off and closed is a constant reminder of the devastation and destruction that we went through during Hurricane Ian,” he said.

Despite the setbacks, Anderson is optimistic about the future.

“It calls for filling in the current Yacht Basin, creating eight acres of developable land and putting this very nice public promenade along the front,” he said.

Residents see the redevelopment as a chance to rejuvenate downtown Fort Myers.

“It’s been a hope of ours to really have it move forward and get a company engaged, because without the boat traffic, downtown businesses really suffer, and that’s what this is about,” said Meyer.

Meyer is eager for progress.

“I’d like to see all hands on deck,” he said. “So that when we come back, we can start parking our boat here.”

Anderson remains hopeful for progress in early 2026, and Suntex’s attorney confirmed that all parties are collaborating to expedite the process.Â