FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jim Lavender, Lee County Construction & Design

(941) 479-8301

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 30, 2000) – Lee County recently completed a pier in North Fort Myers on the Caloosahatchee River that is part of several improvements to North Shore Park.

North Shore Park is located just west of the north end of the Caloosahatchee (U.S. 41) Bridge. The 126-foot-long, eight-foot-wide pier cost $193,435 to build and includes a 576-square-foot fishing deck and pavilion at the end of the walkway. The Lee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) funded the project using proceeds from the 3 percent tourist tax on room charges less than six months.

The pier’s fishing and observation deck is lighted and has four cleaning boards. Fishing depth at the deck is 10-to-12 feet. Park hours are from dawn to 10 p.m. and there is no fee for parking. There are two handicap parking spaces and an eight-foot-wide concrete walkway runs from the parking lot to the pier.

The park improvements are the result of cooperation from several private organizations and public agencies. The North Fort Myers Merchants Association was instrumental in getting the project funded and currently is overseeing the construction of picnic shelters that are being paid for with donations from the business community, organizations and individuals. The Florida Department of Transportation owns the park property and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the City of Fort Myers issued building permits (the pier is within city limits). The county also entered into a long-term lease with the city for the pier property.