The Edison Awards’ vision for an Innovation Walk connecting downtown Fort Myers to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is advancing after years of planning and community engagement, according to Edison Awards CEO Frank Bonafilia and Fort Myers City Councilman Liston Bochette.
The concept, which Bonafilia said originated from “the Edison Awards years of experience, incredible network of innovation leaders and a vision on what could be done to continue the legacy of innovation in Fort Myers,” was first presented to business and city leaders in 2020, just before Hurricane Ian.
“We envisioned and presented the Edison Awards Innovation Walk along the riverfront leading from Centennial Park to the Edison and Ford Winter Estate,” Bonafilia said.
The project faced initial challenges as city officials focused on hurricane recovery efforts and needed time to understand the economic benefits of the innovative tourism concept,” he said.
After receiving a small grant from the Community Redevelopment Agency in December 2023, the Edison Awards began community outreach. The CRA has now secured money for a comprehensive master plan and selected Perkins&Will, a Florida-based design firm, to lead the project development.