Greater Fort Myers Chamber Of Commerce: Fort Myers Redevelopment Areas Project Updates

Press release from Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce:

2021-08-13

Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency

Since 1984 the CRA has been at the forefront of local redevelopment efforts occurring in the most blighted areas and spaces in the City of Palms.
Our team welcomes your feedback and continued support.
Feel free to email your questions and comments to us at
cra@cityftmyers.com.

First Street 1984
First Street Today

CRA Supported Projects

For questions or information about
these and other CRA-supported projects
call us at (239) 321-7100, or
email at cra@cityftmyers.com

Gateway Art at Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd.

Ready to Advertise: National Call to Artists

The Fort Myers CRA, in cooperation with the Fort Myers Public Art Committee and Lee County Black History Society (LCBHS), is advertising a National Call to Artists (Request for Qualifications, RFQ) for the Gateway Art at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevards. $100,000 has been designated for the process of finding an artist and commissioning the artwork that will be on the southeast section of this main corridor into Fort Myers. The theme, Dreams, Hope and Civil Rights, will commemorate local culture. These concepts were chosen as the guiding spirit for the piece through a public Zoom meeting and survey hosted by the CRA. The Call to Artists is currently being advertised, with a submission deadline of September 30. Stay tuned for updates!

McCollum Hall

CRA Issues Notice of Intent to Developer

The CRA approved an extension for the McCollum Hall developer to commence construction by no later than December 15, 2021.

As part of the official legal notification to the developer, the Board has issued a Letter Agreement to be signed by all interested parties on or before August 11, 2021. The Letter Agreement issues notice of the CRA’s intention to terminate the lease and development agreements if the cure periods expire without the commencement of construction.

Hampton Inn by Hilton

“The second floor slab was poured last week and block work began August 9.”

– Brittany Edwards, Firmo Construction, LLC,
General Contractor

Firmo Construction, LLC, general contractor and construction manager for the Hampton Inn by Hilton in the Downtown redevelopment area, is working with Florida Power & Light on the easement work. The plank for the third floor will be installed by the end of August, and the trades will start rough-in and framing on the first floor. HOS Management is the developer for the project.

June 8, 2021, Construction video of Hampton Inn showing second floor precast involving the preparation and installation for the second of four floors. (Courtesy of Firmo Construction, LLC; HOS Management, developer)

Silver Hills at Fort Myers

“The project is eager to open!”

– Seth Mendelsohn, President, Silver Hills Development

Silver Hills at Fort Myers Phase I is set to open once the project receives power from Florida Power and Light. The power company will be providing electricity and remove power lines. The Silver Hills at Fort Myers project currently is being advertised to potential residents as Triton Cay in a sign fronting the project as well as online at www.tritoncayfortmyers.com.

West End at City Walk

“The first building received a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) on July 1 and residents began moving in that day!”

– Joe Bonora, President & CEO, Catalyst Asset Management

The Fort Myers community is excited to welcome new residents in the first building of West End at City Walk! The project is currently 62% leased and construction completion is set for mid-September. October 1 is the date set for final installation of the clubhouse’s furniture, fixtures, and equipment, as well as remaining site furnishings. These will decorate and furnish the property with livable and usable spaces.

Prima Luce

“We are happy to announce that the City of Fort Myers has approved the pile permit for Prima Luce on the Waterfront.”

– Jane Brickley Disla, Director of Communications & Marketing,
Prima Luce LLC

In the spring, the Prima Luce team completed the removal of existing piles from old structures on the Prima Luce site so that new piles can be installed. Later this year, installation of more than 800 new piles will begin and take approximately three months to complete.

The team is finalizing the construction contract with a reputable builder. In addition, they are making a concerted effort to keep the project progressing through diligent work with engineers and the City of Fort Myers to finalize items as quickly as possible.

Factors including escalating real estate market demand and impending construction caused the developer to increase residence pricing by 3-5% overall as of June 15, 2021. Another 1% increase is planned for later this year.

Towles Garden Townhome Community

Towles Garden Construction Contractor Workshops Held at Enterprise Center

Two workshops were hosted at Southwest Florida Enterprise Center (SWFEC) to attract construction contractors to the Towles Garden Community Townhome project. On May 27 and July 8, local small businesses learned about contract opportunities for minority, disadvantaged, women and veteran-owned contractors to bid on the upcoming housing project. General Contractor Connor & Gaskins discussed required capabilities and the pre-qualifying process. Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University Consultant Clarence Broughton assist business owners with the MBE/DBE certification process.These workshops have been well received with a substantial turnout of local contractors and sub contractors. Also attending were Towles Garden LLC Executive Director Bob DeSantis, City of Fort Myers Ward 2 Councilman Johnny Streets, Fort Myers CRA Executive Director Michele Hylton-Terry, and Minority Business Development Coordinator Lee Ford.

St. Peter Claver Place Apartments

“We have entered credit underwriting with Florida housing.”

– Brian Miller, Developer,
National Development of America, Inc.

National Development of America, Inc., the developer of the St. Peter Claver Place affordable housing project, stated that the credit underwriting phase typically takes 12 to 14 months to arrive at a real estate closing. Construction is planned to begin in the second quarter of 2022.

Vantage Lofts

“The Planned Urban Development (PUD) Insufficiency Submission 3 package was submitted last week to the Fort Myers Planning Department.”

– Steve Roffi, DevMar Development LLC

Developer DevMar Development LLC is hoping to be placed on the Planning Commission Schedule as a next step once staff has had a chance to review and make recommendations. Revisions to the Vantage project’s PUD package were made as a result of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) revised High Coastal Hazard Flood Map, which impacted the Vantage property by placing it in the live wave action zone.

AC Hotel

“We have identified most of our equity investors and are now in the documentation process with them.”

– David Fry, First Street Place, LLC, Developer

Once the equity has been secured, Developer First Street Place, LLC, will begin the building design process. The eight-story, 77,000 sq. ft. hotel will add 132 rooms to Fort Myers Downtown core.

Seaboard Waterside Apartments

“Seaboard Waterside schematics are complete and are in the architectural design development phase.”

– Jerry Miller, Developer, Billy’s Creek LLC

Construction financing for the project is also progressing. The Demolition permits have been finalized and the Developer will soon be submitting sitework plans.

More Development News Around Town

The Fort Myers CRA is proud to feature these City, County or Privately-led development projects to keep you apprised of the exciting opportunities happening in our community. For more details about other developments see the City of Fort Myers Development Activity Map .

First Street & Second Street Two-Way Traffic Conversion

“The conversion of the First and Second streets corridors from one-way to two-way streets will improve neighborhood safety, lower speed limits, simplify access points, improve safety for all users (motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit) and add to downtown evacuation routes in case of hurricanes or other emergencies.”

– Nicole Monahan, City Engineer, City of Fort Myers

Around Town Highlight: Construction Starts on First Street & Second Street Two-Way Traffic Conversion Project

The City of Fort Myers is pleased to announce that contractors will start construction this month on Phase I of the First Street and Second Street Two-Way Traffic Conversion project. Construction is expected to take approximately 12 months, due to manufacturing and delivery challenges of traffic signal materials. Phase I of this project is expected to be completed in summer 2022.

Contractors are expected to begin bringing in equipment and materials, placing erosion control devices throughout the project area and setting up traffic signs and devices. Construction is expected to begin at the Palm Beach Boulevard and Seaboard Street intersection.

Motorists traveling First, Second and Seaboard streets through the construction zone are strongly encouraged to sign up for construction and traffic updates at www.CFM2way.com.

#REDEVELOPMENTWORKS

Stay connected and learn more about your CRA!

This press release was produced by Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.