Environmental Campus design moves forward!
As we all know, water is becoming a commodity in Southwest Florida. Municipalities need to be implementing new technologies and designs to help with this shortage and the City of Fort Myers is doing just that. In expanding their facilities to the east, the City has the opportunity to build a state-of-the-art water reclamation facility to help "recycle" the water that is going down the drain.
The City of Fort Myers has owned property on Lee Boulevard west of Alvin Avenue since the early 1900s. In the 1950s, this property was used as a landfill which was abandoned in the 1980s, and the site has been unused since then. The City has decided that it is time to make the site something we can be proud of!
The City of Fort Myers is designing an environmental campus that will contain a new state-of-the-art water reclamation facility, landscape nursery and a walking/exercise trail to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for surrounding neighborhoods. The East Water Reclamation Campus will be bordered by bermed landscape areas to add visual interest and will include a wetlands area and indigenous vegetation area. Although funding is not currently available for construction of the campus, various grant opportunities are being pursued for future construction.
![Draft Site Layout [click to expand]](images/efm_site_layout_lrg.gif)
Draft Site Layout [click to expand]
Water Reclamation Facility
Master Planning efforts by the City of Fort Myers have identified the need for water reclamation infrastructure in the easternmost part of the City. With the growth experienced in the early 2000s, and due to State and Federal regulations, that time has come.
The City currently has two wastewater treatment facilities in the south and central parts of the City which are reaching space limitations and system capacity. With the City’s expansion to the east of I-75, this City-owned property is the most strategically located site for a water reclamation facility, with community features that everyone can enjoy!
Similar Storage Facility
Environmental and community benefits of this project are far-reaching and include renovation of an existing landfill and creation of a nature/exercise trail and community resource center. The project will be implemented with the following environmental features:
- Wetlands area
- Indigenous vegetation area (approximately 1,000 new trees on site)
- Removal of non-native plants (ie: Brazilian Pepper)
- Stormwater management enhancements
- Sustainable building elements / "green" features such as solar power & recycled building materials
The new facility will promote more widespread use of reclaimed water for irrigation purposes, helping to conserve our precious water resources. Also, the buildings on the campus will incorporate sustainable elements that will help to maintain resources for the future. With concerns for the availability of groundwater resources and water quality in our area, as well as the importance of reducing our impact on the environment, the City of Fort Myers is proud to present this project to the community.
Artist Rendering of Administration Facility
Latest News
None.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
An updated project schedule and detailed design will be available later this year.
Downloads
Public Information Workshop Technical Memorandum - April 24, 2007
East Fort Myers Water Reclamation Campus - Newsletter Vol. 1 (Adobe Reader Required)
Click here to visit the
City of Fort Myers website.
Site last updated on Wednesday, December 17, 2008!