FMBGN-BIZ-The Pier Group-How Smart Redevelopment Can Restore Community Without Losing The Island’s Soul

Shovel-ready isn’t enough when your town lives on salt air, neighborly kindness, and a street-level rhythm that makes strangers feel welcome. We sit down with realtor and community builder Dennis Wagaman to map out how Fort Myers Beach can bring back small and mid-sized commercial spaces without losing what makes the island feel like home. The plan is simple to say and hard to do: respect the vibe, modernize where the codes demand it, and find reasonable middle ground so projects actually pencil.

We unpack why Fort Myers Beach behaves like a micro market—more investors and absentee owners, different price drivers, and a sharper focus on highest and best use. Dennis explains the friction between a comprehensive plan written before elevated building rules and the real-world need to replace lost ground-level space. No one’s asking for skyscrapers; the goal is controlled, complementary growth that gives local entrepreneurs real storefronts, creates jobs, and restores a walkable main street for residents and returning visitors. Tourism is back, traffic is a reality, and that’s a good problem when it funds a resilient, service-rich community.

Community energy is rising too. Dennis highlights What’s Up FMB, a new alliance hosting events that showcase local businesses—think lantern festivals, summer fireworks, and reasons to explore beyond the shoreline. Add classic island moments like dolphin-chasing boat rides, quiet northern sunsets, and a lineup of favorite restaurants, and you see the path forward: keep the people the same while the buildings get smarter. If you care about coastal redevelopment, local small business revival, and the future of Fort Myers Beach, this conversation gives you clear context and practical optimism.

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Realty One Group MVP - The Pier Group
Dennis Wagaman
5237 Summerlin Commons Blvd
Fort Myers, FL 33907
Mobile: (239) 940-7749
dwswfl@gmail.com
Website

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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