What kinds of emotions does the word “downtown” evoke? How has their stature in communities changed over time? Why is downtown Ft. Myers experiencing something of a renaissance? What are some of the prominent architectural features? How (and why) are they designed to rekindle the “pedestrian” spirit? Discuss some other “nods to history” that we saw on our tour. How has the economy of Ft. Myers evolved from past to present? How does all of this relate to sustainability?

When I think of downtown I think of a busy environment that has a lot of people moving in and out of it. I would picture it as not the cleanest but slightly bearable, fast paced with many businesses such as restaurants, bars, and theaters. It would be a place you go to get away from the norm and familiar environment. In Downtown Ft. Myers case it kind of fits the profile. I have been in and out of this area many times and it definitely gets pretty busy out there. Downtown Ft. Myers is an atmosphere of creativity with a historic twist because of the buildings. All of the many years I have visited Downtown Ft. Myers I never viewed it as an historic landmark. It holds so much more history then just some place created for people to gather.

Downtown is experiencing something of a renaissance because it is rapidly growing. With all that happens around and within Downtown Ft. Myers it is slowly being transformed into something more than just having a historic purpose. Most events happen right in Downtown, most having nothing to do with its history such as Zombie-Con. Some prominent architectural features include the building made of coral, Olympian Art Museum, The Edison, Ford, and Firestone Statue, the statue of the solider and the court house. I think Downtown Ft. Myers is trying to rekindle the “pedestrian” spirit through attractions, the ease to walk along sidewalks and the closeness of the buildings. I think this sparked as a need to somehow bring Downtown Ft. Myers back to its originality; a time when most people we not reliant on vehicles and were able to walk freely and completely embrace their selves in the historic environment that surrounded them.

Ft. Myers economy has evolved greatly due to all of the attractions it has to offer and all of the events the happen there. Not to leave out the overwhelming amount of population that is not present. All of this relates to sustainability in that Downtown Ft. Myers is preserving its history and has created a place where people can get from one place to the next just by walking, no need for vehicles.