Fort Myers Beach extends curfew, worries residents

Fort Myers Beach, Florida. — Due to the extended curfew at Fort Myers Beach, residents are worried about the lack of lighting, mainly on Estero Boulevard.

Also, with many businesses still struggling to reopen and recover from Hurricane Ian, some are wondering if the lack of lighting is affecting businesses on the island.

Walking along Old San Carlos Boulevard, you can see the Wahoo Willies crowded with people enjoying music, food and drink.

However, as the sun sets and night covers the island, Fort Myers Beach residents enjoy, as Janet Crockett says, “it’s really creepy.”

Crockett has lived on the island for the past six years and said she doesn’t quite understand the extended curfew due to the lack of lighting.

“I came in yesterday at 10 pm, of course there was no curfew, no police, but it was so dark and everything was closed,” Crockett said. “I think it’s more convenient for restaurants to close earlier.”

One of Crockett’s favorite restaurants is Wahoo Willies. In a conversation with CEO William Ignatti, he explained that he noticed lighting problems on the island.

Luckily for him and his business, Wahoo Willy is on Old San Carlos Boulevard, which has more light than other parts of the island. As the lighting at Ignatti’s is better, the restaurant will extend its opening hours until 21:00 starting Thursday.

But he still notices the effect of the lack of light on other businesses on Estero Boulevard.

“Actually, because of the darkness, there are not many open stores,” Ignatti said. “I know a lot of business owners are waiting.”

As for the potential waiting time, when the light on Estero is repaired and operational, it could stretch for another five months. During the Fort Myers Beach City Council meeting on Monday, Florida Power and Light held a presentation of various lighting projects. It is necessary to replace 380 lamps on Estero Boulevard.

Fort Myers Beach and FPL hope to replace the current 131 that were damaged during Jan at no cost to the city and add 249 new fixtures. In accordance with state regulations for turtle season, all lights will be yellow.

The FPL explained the statewide lighting compliance review process, which may take until March 2023 for final approval. They hope the new lights will be in service by June 1, 2023.