In a 5-0 vote the Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved the new Woman’s Club building on Sterling Avenue. Council chambers was packed with supporters of the organization when neighbors were trying to convince the council to alter their proposal.
The plans for the new Woman’s Club building include a zoning change that would allow the organization to serve alcohol outside during fundraising events. Several neighbors, who voiced their support for the mission of the Woman’s Club, wanted the council to include “guardrails” for the neighborhood in case the property was ever sold. The concern was that if the club did sell the property it could be turned into a night club atmosphere in their neighborhood.
Woman’s Club representatives said town staff advised them to go down this path and that making this substantial change, at the final public hearing, would send them all the way back to the drawing board. Plus, they said, they have no plans to sell the property or dissolve the organization and are well into a fundraising campaign to rebuild.
James Ink from Ink Engineering, representing the Woman’s Club said, “We are being attacked from our flank from a very skilled planner. We just want to rebuild.” Ink was referring to former LPA member Patrick Vanasse, who also lives close to the Woman’s Club property. Vanasse later defended the attack by stating he was only looking out for the neighborhood.
The disagreement over the future of the property pitted friends against friends and became very contentious over the past several weeks, spilling out into local events with each side stating their case with passion.
In the end, the Town Council brushed off the concerns of the neighbors and voted unanimously in favor of the Woman’s Club whose President Barb Mezeske said, “We have been approved. We are movin’ forward. Thank you to everyone who came out to support us.”
The previous Woman’s Club building on Sterling Avenue was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ian.
The new building was designed by Albert Dambrose at Studio AD with help from Jim Ink from Ink Engineering. The organization has been in fundraising mode for years now. Events the organization sponsors include the Christmas Tree Festival, The Putt & Pub, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The original Woman’s Club building had been on the property since 1947 and it became the Woman’s Club in 1950. Back in the early days, with only 13 members, the club was close to folding. A drive for new members took hold and the club is now vibrant with hundreds of members. The organization held many fundraising events on the property and in the building that was washed away by Ian.
The previous structure on the property was just under 3,000 feet. The proposed new building is a total of just over 15,000 square feet (6,737 square feet under air, 838 square feet of deck, and 7,575 square feet of ground floor).
Help us help the Woman’s Club rebuild by becoming a permanent part of the Yellow Army Mosaic Wall. With a $50 donation your picture will be part of the wall in the Woman’s Club lounge forever. Details HERE.
Become a Woman’s Club member (men are allowed) for $75 per year HERE.
Local journalism is hard work. If you appreciate the most in-depth reporting on Fort Myers Beach, please support what we do HERE by Venmo, Zell or PayPal. Thank you.