The word "Downtown" evokes feelings of a big city with lots of cars, lights, and traffic. In the past, downtown was a place that people went to hang out, go shopping, and have dinner. Many downtown areas are being run-down and turned into a crime-ridden, uninviting part of the city. Fort Myers luckily is experiencing what many might call a renaissance. The architecture is clean, yet maintains the spirit of historic downtown Fort Myers. The sidewalks are lined with small cafes, restaurants, shops, and offices. The arts building is a wonderful example of downtown Ft. Myers architecture that has really lasted the tests of time.
Downtown Ft. Myers is a very pedestrian friendly place. It is organized into neat sections, where you can walk down almost any street, and easily make it back to the center of downtown. There are sidewalks lined with plants and palm trees on both sides of the street. The road is kept clean and inviting. Many parts of Ft. Myers are not kept this way. They are seemingly run-down and forgotten. It's important that historic Ft. Myers, and areas like the River District are well maintained. 
Sustainable architecture is especially important these days. In a world where durable goods are seemingly turned into non-durable "throwaways", we need to focus directly on construction that will last. We need to build structures with the latest architectural technology, but by maintaining the natural landscape as much as possible, and using responsible materials. Many cities in America are restoring their downtown areas to a place where everyone wants to visit again.
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