What does Times Square on Fort Myers Beach look like one year after Hurricane Ian?

Look up Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Trip Advisor and you will read comments like:

Times Square is a fun area. Starting at 1:00 in the afternoon until 10:00, you can listen to music and dance. That's our favorite time.

Lots of family fun!

Love this place!! Live music, bars and restaurants, ice cream and pizza, souvenirs, and great people watching.

Those three comments were posted before Sept, 28, 2022, or before Hurricane Ian slammed Southwest Florida, turning places like the popular Times Square upside down. What was once a prime location to eat, drink, party and watch the sunset, was completely flattened. Even the famous and beloved clock was ripped from his base and washed out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Turn the clock forward almost 12 months and there are signs of a comeback. Slowly, but surely things are happening at Times Square that have once again made it a beach focal point. Food trucks, farmer's markets and artwork have restored a feeling of community. There are also plans to replace the clock.

The News-Press photo journalist Andrew West has documented what things are looking like at Times Square now as we approach the one-year anniversary of Ian.

Times Square on Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian hit

Fort Myers Beach was destroyed by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022. This is the Times Square area on October 14, 2022.
Fort Myers Beach was destroyed by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022. This is the Times Square area on October 14, 2022.
Fort Myers Beach was destroyed by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022. This is the Times Square area on October 14, 2022.
Fort Myers Beach was destroyed by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022. This is the Times Square area on October 14, 2022.
Times Square on Fort Myers Beach was destroyed in Hurricane Ian. This is where the clock was located.
Times Square on Fort Myers Beach was destroyed in Hurricane Ian. This is where the clock was located.

Times Square on Fort Myers Beach (September 2023)

Food trucks have become a popular fixture

The Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. It is coming up on a year since Hurricane Ian slammed ashore in Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022. The island is slowly coming back.
The Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. It is coming up on a year since Hurricane Ian slammed ashore in Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022. The island is slowly coming back.

A farmer's market has give people a reason to return

Patrons peruse the Farmers Market at Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. The market recently opened on Friday’s at the location which was decimated in Hurricane Ian.
Patrons peruse the Farmers Market at Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. The market recently opened on Friday’s at the location which was decimated in Hurricane Ian.
Patrons peruse the Farmers Market at Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. The market recently opened on FridayÕs at the location which was decimated in Hurricane Ian.
Patrons peruse the Farmers Market at Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. The market recently opened on FridayÕs at the location which was decimated in Hurricane Ian.

This tower has become a work of art

More: Ian destroyed everything around it. Now this Fort Myers Beach tower is a work of art

The Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. It is coming up on a year since Hurricane Ian slammed ashore in Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022. The island is slowly coming back.
The Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. It is coming up on a year since Hurricane Ian slammed ashore in Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022. The island is slowly coming back.
The Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. It is coming up on a year since Hurricane Ian slammed ashore in Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022. The island is slowly coming back.
The Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. It is coming up on a year since Hurricane Ian slammed ashore in Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022. The island is slowly coming back.

Slowly, but surely, progress is being made

The Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. It is coming up on a year since Hurricane Ian slammed ashore in Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022. The island is slowly coming back.
The Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. It is coming up on a year since Hurricane Ian slammed ashore in Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022. The island is slowly coming back.
Scenes from Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. The square along with the beach is slowly recovering after getting slammed by Hurricane Ian last year.
Scenes from Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. The square along with the beach is slowly recovering after getting slammed by Hurricane Ian last year.
Scenes from Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. The square along with the beach is slowly recovering after getting slammed by Hurricane Ian last year.
Scenes from Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. The square along with the beach is slowly recovering after getting slammed by Hurricane Ian last year.
The Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. It is coming up on a year since Hurricane Ian slammed ashore in Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022. The island is slowly coming back.
The Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. It is coming up on a year since Hurricane Ian slammed ashore in Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022. The island is slowly coming back.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers Beach Times Square making comeback after Hurricane Ian