JOIN YOUR NEIGHBORS

for the most significant event of

the first comprehensive planning process

for the Town of Fort Myers Beach!

"DESIGNING OUR TOWN"

A Two-Day Community Design Workshop

Featuring renowned urban designer Victor Dover

Friday evening, January 31, from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Saturday, February 1, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Hosted by the Local Planning Agency of the Town of Fort Myers Beach,

with the generous support of numerous civic, professional, business, and church groups

which will be donating meals and services to make this event possible

Organized by Spikowski Planning Associates and Dover Kohl & Partners,

planning and urban design consultants to the Town of Fort Myers Beach

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Friday Evening -- "Our Town" progressive dinner, trolley tour, and slide presentation by Victor Dover on planning for our next generation of buildings and public spaces

On Friday evening, January 31^st from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, join your Town Council, Local Planning Agency members, friends, and associates for a progressive dinner and an entertaining and stimulating evening. We will be exploring potential community design concepts that can guide the future of our town.

Between 5:30 and 6:30, gather at the Beach United Methodist Church, 155 Bay Street, for appetizers and a stroll through a "gallery walk" display of maps, photographs, and drawings about our town. Brief opening remarks will begin promptly at 6:15. Free parking available at the Sea Grape Plaza, public library, Methodist Church, school, and Bay Oaks.

All aboard the free trolleys at 6:30 for a guided tour of the Town from Bowditch Point to the south end, with particular focus on Estero Boulevard from Pearl Street to the Red Coconut; the older neighborhoods from Crescent Street to Bay Oaks; and the commercial area around the Villa Santini. The future of each of these areas will be addressed during Saturday's sessions.

By 7:15 the trolleys will deliver us to the Church of the Ascension, 6025 Estero Boulevard, for a buffet dinner and a slide presentation by Victor Dover. He will describe the opportunities we have to improve our community through a conscious process of visualizing a desirable future and then preparing a plan to "make it happen."

Back on board the trolleys at 8:30 pm to proceed to Bay Oaks Recreation Center for a brief look at the history of Fort Myers Beach, followed by an introduction to Saturday's intensive design workshop. Dessert will be provided, along with an opportunity for informal visiting.

Saturday -- "Designing Our Town" hands-on community design workshop led by Victor Dover, Joseph Kohl, and their team of urban designers

On Saturday, February 1^st, from 9:00 to 2:00 pm, meet at the Church of the Ascension, 6025 Estero Boulevard, and roll up your sleeves with fellow citizens and urban design professionals to help visualize what our town should look like as it changes through time. No design or drawing experience is required!

We will discuss the entire town but will pay particular attention to three specific areas selected by the Local Planning Agency: Estero Boulevard from Pearl Street to the Red Coconut; the older neighborhoods from Crescent Street to Bay Oaks; and the commercial area around the Villa Santini. Maps showing all lots and existing buildings will be provided, and participants will think aloud and together about how these areas might evolve over time.

Bring a sack lunch. Drinks will be provided. After lunch, the small working groups will reconvene to report on their ideas and see what degree of consensus might be reached on a desirable future for our town.

The Next Steps:

After this workshop, the design team will continue working to synthesize ideas and prepare professional drawings of potential futures for Fort Myers Beach. These drawings will be presented by Victor Dover as part of a second community workshop in March, when citizens will be asked to confirm whether the designers have captured the spirit of workshop participants. Once agreed upon, these "drawn visions" can served as the inspiration for much of the written portions of the Town's first comprehensive plan and the land development regulations that will follow.

There is no charge for either day's events; however, donations will be appreciated to help offset costs and for a contribution on behalf of sponsoring organizations to a local food bank. Reservations are required and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations may placed by telephone to Lena Heyman at 463-3004, Cherie Smith at 463-0345, or Barb Keene at 765-0615, or by clipping and mailing the form below to LPA Workshop, 8124 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931. Don't wait, or you may be disappointed if all space has been taken!

Reservations for "Designing Our Town," a community design workshop

Please reserve places for (list names) __________________________________________________________________________

Will attend both Friday and Saturday sessions (recommended): ________

Will attend Friday evening only: ________

Will attend Saturday only: ________