"Bob's World" with Bob Moro
October 2024
Residents and officials on Fort Myers Beach agree that there is a long road ahead. What’s not so clear is what exactly awaits them at the end of that road. And opinions can differ sharply on where that road should lead.
Gail Jasionowski has been a FMB resident for 10 years. Widowed, she lost her home and everything else in the storm. Even her husband’s ashes.
“There was just two walls remaining. It was just debris. And then thieves came and stole the debris. They took the gutters off our roof, boards and other material, our pool equipment, piping, my husband’s tools, even the decking on our two year old dock. They rifled through the house; “opportunists with no oversight,” she explained. “They issued passes to some residents before the storm, but weren’t checking, and everyone kept going there, Contractors needed to be licensed to enter, but unlicensed workers were camping at home sites to avoid having to travel back and forth,” Gail recalled.
“Two weeks after the storm, my daughter said ‘C’mon mom, we’re going to go find daddy.’ Two workers saw us searching the rubble and drove up, asking if we needed help. I told them I was looking for my husband, and they turned pale. I explained that we were looking for his ashes, and described the urn. They started tossing everything; searching. One made a call, and others quickly joined the search. ‘I got him!” one called out. I just lost it. He had died in the house. Peacefully. And now this. But this was his way of letting me know he’s still with me. ‘It’s all gone now!’ I said, and started crying. Then everyone was crying.” Gail is happy to be back in her raised, modular home.
“I went to a meeting with the Mayor and the Seagape developers who purchased the Red Coconut RV Park property (for 52 million)”, Gail continued. (Seagate development is asking to bypass eight town codes to develop the historic property.) “They described the twin 15 story condos above two story parking garages they wanted to build-with a pedestrian walkover to the beach for members only. But there would be a public walkway and some open space. One woman complained about the loss of our community, but the developer replied: ‘We had a major hurricane, did you really think the island wasn’t going to change?’ I said: ‘We’ve lost our churches, we almost lost our school, we still have no library. This is where we’re trying to raise our kids. It’s becoming so commercialized.’ People clapped.”
Susan Carter also lost her Pearl Street home in the storm, but she has a different perspective. She still visits the area to conduct weekly yoga classes, but it’s always hard for her to cross over the bridge. It’s still painful. “The high cost to rebuild , the way the beach looks now, and the way it’s going to be is not something I’m interested in. Our little beach house was 80 years old. We lived there for 30 years. But c’mon, it’s a barrier island for goodness sake. You’re on, and sometimes IN the Gulf. It was a gamble, and we won for more than 29 years. I was part of the group that worked to maintain the community atmosphere at FMB back in the 90’s, but there aren’t many residents left there now. Only three people remain on our old street, and a nearby street has only one person living on it. You can’t expect things to remain the same,” Susan said.
“It’s a great opportunity for new minds to come in and address the problem with resilience in mind. These issues are happening all over the world. People who have the money can afford to do it. I sold the lot where my home stood a few months after Ian. The new owners built a similar small beach house, but it’s built to last, and it’s sitting on 15 foot pilings. They’ve already put a million dollars into it, and they’re not done yet,”
Jacki Liszak has been president of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce for the past eight years. She remains positive, optimistic, and strong despite her enormous personal losses from Ian. “I lost my entire hotel (The Sea Gypsy Inn), I lost my beach home, my son lost his home on the island; and has to relocate for work. My main home had 15 feet of water in it, with three feet in the second floor living room. We are still living in a bedroom with a bathroom sink, microwave, and dorm fridge. On top of that, the Chamber lost its building...”
Our Interview:
How much safer will the new FEMA building codes make FMB?
“They’ll help residential and commercial buildings withstand future hurricanes, making them safer and more resilient. It was evident after Ian that the newer construction fared much better than the older buildings. But we won’t be able to avoid future storms.”
What can you say to nervous residents about plans for resiliency in the face of those strengthening storms?
“The new guidelines make putting back what was there before virtually impossible. There are many factors: height requirements, ADA rules, setbacks, FEMA regs., etc., but improved designs will ensure homes and businesses will be safer for our island community. There will be new beach berms with native plantings, beacvh re-nourishment, and mindful drainage plans. Residents shouldn’t be nervous about the new rules, they should get involved to make sure the new regulations reflect the scope and feel of the their community.”
Many FMB residents tell me “they have lost their innocence” after Ian’s wrath. Most understand the risk of living on a barrier island, but what’s your message to those who still love the area, and want to stay?
“It has been decades since FMB had a devastating hurricane. Only the "old timers" remember what Donna did to Estero Island. Now we understand the power of water, wind and storm surge. We accept this risk because this island is our home. No matter where you live, a natural disaster can always strike. I believe that the people of FMB are strong, the community is caring and supportive of each other, and they are ready and willing to take that risk in order to continue to call this special place home.”
What’s your vision for the new FMB?
“I see a bright future for FMB. I anticipate that the community will continue to evolve and be re-imagined as new residents, businesses and guests find their way here. I believe that we will continue to see a resort destination that offers mid to upper end scale accommodations, shopping, dining and attractions. We are seeing an influx of higher end homes being built, along with commercial projects that are a bit larger in scale than what we previously had. All of this is due to the market conditions and the need to construct resilient, code compliant structures on a barrier island.”
Many have told me they can’t afford to rebuild under the costly new flood guidelines, and they say many are selling to developers and moving away, replacing their single family homes with condos or mini-mansions. Is that an overstatement, or just the new reality?
“While it is true that the cost to rebuild is out of reach for some homeowners, it is not true that homeowners are selling to developers. The island has very strict rules about what can be built where. If a property is zoned residential, (single to quad), it cannot be turned commercial (and be turned into condos). The size, location, and previous density of the lot determines what can be built on it. I can understand why someone would call an elevated home a mini mansion, but FEMA requirements cannot be ignored; it’s the reality of living on a barrier island… higher, stronger, more up to code homes and buildings.”
As you know, there is a strong sense of community here in FMB. There were efforts of many residents of then unincorporated FMB in the 90’s to maintain “an eclectic mix of culture, nature and nightlife.” What kind of assurances can you offer them?
“Just that I feel that we need to all work together to find a middle ground that gives us buildings that will serve the community and withstand future storms, while keeping our funky eclectic vibe. The Chamber will continue to advocate for businesses and residents on FMB and strive to be a conduit for positive, productive communication between all parties so that the end result is a product that the community can be proud of while still honoring the past.”
The City received a grant for 100 new mooring balls destroyed by Ian. Short and long term boaters are again visiting the island. Are they welcome here?
“The Chamber loves the idea of welcoming boating guests to the mooring field. I have heard stories of boating visitors who came to visit, stayed longer because they fell in love with FMB, and ended up settling here as full time residents. This is a part of the special sauce that makes FMB unique. We are an open, welcoming, vibrant, eclectic community that grabs hold of your heart, and before you know it, you're calling it home!”
Several residents and business owners I interviewed said many homes and businesses were aging, and faced costly repairs. Though Ian was a tragedy, it at least eliminated that issue. Wherever you stand on the future of FMB, we know it will be stronger, safer, and different. And unfortunately for some, more expensive.
P/C Bob Moro AP
Past Commander Bob Moro AP Fort Myers Power Squadron-America’s Boating Club
