Fort Myers Says No to $18M Soccer Stadium Plan at Former Red Sox Spring Training Site

Fort Myers officials shot down Pitch Prime's $18 million plan to convert City of Palms Park into a soccer stadium. The property has been empty since Florida SouthWestern State College left in 2023.

In the competition for the site, United Soccer League proposed an ambitious $300 million development. Their big plans included a soccer complex complete with offices, hotels, housing and retail space — but required $40 million in city bonds.

The historic park once buzzed with baseball activity. The Red Sox held spring training there from 1993 until 2011. Florida SouthWestern then used the field up through last year.

"This thing has been sitting here for a long time, and every year it looks worse and worse," said Fort Myers resident David Ellison to Fox 4 News.

Locals are split on the best path forward. Many residents want practical additions like markets and affordable housing and are hesitant about plans that include skating facilities.