Developer of Farmer Joe’s property sues Fort Myers after sale agreed to in 2018 is again delayed

After being rebuffed by Fort Myers City Council, a developer looking to close on the purchase of a city-owned property slated for a Farmer Joe’s Market has turned to the courts to finalize a deal in the works since May 2018.

The local developer, Johnston & Johnston, is asking that a judge force the city to close on the deal for a 36.64-acre property at 5600 Lee Blvd. that’s lingered for more than four years because of a number of issues, including questions about mineral rights and ownership.