NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. – An abandoned North Fort Myers shopping plaza has been an eyesore for years and now it’s become a haven for the homeless.
One Lee County Commissioner is calling on the property owner to clean it up or get rid of it.
The property manager of the controversial Hancock Bridge Square Plaza said crews are working to improve the site after tons of debris was left behind from the homeless who moved onto the property.
Preston Spraldin is among the homeless staying there and said he was forced to live there since he had been released from jail.
Nearby neighbor David Widden described the homeless living there as hostile and hardcore.
Widden and other neighbors along with nearby businesses want the homeless out.
Commissioner Brian Hamman said he has heard the complaints and wants to assure everyone’s safety.
Hamman blamed the property owner for the plaza’s conditions.
“This property owner doesn’t live here and doesn’t appear to care about our community. He has held our community hostage for far too long. He either needs to fix this plaza up or sell it to someone who will fix it up,” Hamman said.
The property has been abandoned for years but for the last week crews have been spotted clearing tons of debris that the homeless have left behind.
“I roughly figured about four truckloads or trailer loads which would be between three and half to four tons,” said Property Manager Dewey Duke.
Duke said his crews are also cleaning the drains to prevent parking lot flooding during the rainy season.
He said eventually plans call to reopen the plaza.
“Once we get the infrastructure part done crews come in to start the cleanup process on the buildings. Cleaning them out and getting them ready to go and new paint,” Duke explained.
For now he awaits a Judge’s order to have the people still living on the property removed.
Duke expected that ruling within the next 48 hours.
Until then the homeless keep coming on the property hoping to find a temporary home out of the hot Florida sunshine.
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May 04, 2021 at 05:48AM
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Homeless gather at abandoned North Fort Myers shopping plaza - NBC2 News
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