Vandals Damage Historic Fort Myers Art Center Columns

Unknown suspects damaged the limestone columns of the city-owned Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, and the center is working with the city to restore the building.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Property Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single weathered pale limestone column against a quiet subtropical sky, evoking damage to a historic civic building. — Unknown suspects painted the limestone columns of Fort Myers' city-owned Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, which is working with the city to restore the 1930s building. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local taxpayers fund more upkeep of historic downtown buildings like this one?

Vandals damaged the exterior columns of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center at 2301 First Street in Fort Myers. The art center is working with the city to identify those responsible and restore the building.

Why it matters

The building is a historic, city-owned structure that has been part of downtown Fort Myers for more than 90 years, and the damage affects a community arts venue that has operated there for almost 20 years. Restoring its limestone columns requires specialized care, since the stone cannot be painted over or cleaned with conventional methods.

No suspects have been publicly identified and no charges have been reported. The art center and the city are working together to identify those responsible and restore the damaged columns.

The players

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

A Fort Myers arts organization that has operated in the city-owned former post office building for almost 20 years under a long-term lease.

City of Fort Myers

The municipal government that owns the building and is working with the art center to identify those responsible and restore the damage.

The details

Vandals painted the exterior limestone columns of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, which was constructed in the 1930s as a U.S. Post Office and dedicated in December 1933. The art center posted about the vandalism on Facebook on Oct. 31, 2026.

December 1933: Building dedicated as a U.S. Post Office.
1998: Federal courthouse moved out of the building.
2003: Florida Arts Inc. acquired a 99-year lease from the city.
Sept. 10, 2008: Building reopened following restoration.
Oct. 31, 2026: Art center posted about the vandalism on Facebook.

Legal Context

Vandalism to historic public structures is typically handled through local property-crime statutes, and damage to historic limestone requires specialized conservation work rather than routine repair. The 2008 restoration that reopened this building to the public set the standard of care now needed to restore its exterior.

Visitors to the downtown Fort Myers arts venue may see the damaged columns while restoration is planned and carried out. Residents and businesses near 2301 First Street can report information about the vandalism to the city or the art center.

The takeaway

Historic public buildings depend on ongoing care, and damage to their original materials can require specialized restoration. Residents who notice vandalism should report it promptly so responsible parties can be identified and repairs can begin sooner.