The empty City of Palms Park costs Fort Myers taxpayers $500,000 in yearly upkeep. The stadium has sat unused since 2012, stuck between demolition plans and new building ideas.
At the Oct. 14, 2025, meeting, Card and Associates proposed new plans. They want to transform the site into a mix of community center, indoor facilities, hotel space, and single-family homes.
Fort Myers City Manager Marty Lawing spoke up about the site's fate in July. "Staff believes it's time, or past time, to talk seriously about demolition of the stadium," Lawing said, per WINK News.
The stadium took another hit when the United Soccer League walked away from Fort Myers in May 2025. Now, engineers must check if any parts of the structure can be preserved.
The Boston Red Sox trained here until 2012. Since then, the seats have stayed empty, with just a handful of small events.
Walter Dunning knows the stadium well from his home two blocks away. At 83, he's watched the changes over time. "Nothing is going on. I haven't even seen a practice game there in quite a few years," Dunning said.
Dunning thinks kids' baseball could bring life back to the field. "Rebuild, remodel, and make something for the citizens," he told WINK News. "I would express to the councilmembers and mayor, start something for the younger generation. Some type of sports so they have something to do."
City officials must now weigh Card and Associates' ideas against local needs and budget. They haven't said when they'll make a decision.
