Greater Fort Myers Chamber Of Commerce: The Latest Redevelopment (REDEV) News For You!

Press release from Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce:

2021-11-05

CRA Receives Statewide Recognition for
Luminary Hotel & Co.

The City of Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency
was recently honored with the Outstanding New Building Project award for the project, the Luminary Hotel & Co., in the 2021 Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) Awards.

The FRA Awards are presented each year at the association’s annual conference and recognize outstanding achievement in a variety of categories.

“We’re immensely honored and grateful to have received this award,” Executive Director, Fort Myers CRA, Michele Hylton-Terry said. “Luminary checks off several action steps in Downtown’s Redevelopment Plan and turns the tax increment rebate into a loan by repaying the principal and interest during the eighth year of hotel operation.”

Rising from a former parking lot between the Downtown Basin and renovated event center, Hylton-Terry says Luminary is the keystone in reviving convention capabilities to the heart of Fort Myers and creating a desirable waterfront dining and activity hub. The complex also reuses the under-engaged City Pier building.

Location:
Luminary Hotel & Co.
www.luminaryhotel.com
239-314-3800

Contact:
Fort Myers CRA
cra@cityftmyers.com
239-321-7100

CRA Welcomes New Staff

Assistant Director
Phyllis LeFlore-Calloway
The City of Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency has hired Phyllis R. LeFlore-Calloway as Assistant Director. In her new position she will be responsible for assisting the CRA Director in the operations of the agency and the implementation of projects and programs contained in the Community Redevelopment Plans. LeFlore-Calloway will be involved in all facets of the organization including policy making, project management, budgeting, planning, personnel management, and public relations.

“Phyllis is fully invested to serve the Southwest Florida and City of Fort Myers communities,” Executive Director, Fort Myers CRA, Michele Hylton-Terry said. “Her experience in the legal industry and familiarity with community needs will provide the necessary resources and tools needed to assist in the continued growth of the agency.”

LeFlore-Calloway has more than three decades of successful experience in legal, employee, project management and operations with focus on restructuring and sustainability. She began her career with the City of Fort Myers in 2018, serving as the legal administrator and advisor in the City’s Attorney Office. In April 2021, she was selected to serve as the City’s Interim City Manager.

CRA Redevelopment Specialist
Phenicia McMillion
The City of Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency has hired Phenicia McMillion as CRA Redevelopment Specialist.
In her new position, she will be responsible for assisting the CRA Director in coordinating projects and programs that implement and account for the formally-adopted CRA redevelopment plan within the designated CRA area. She will be responsible for gathering and disseminating business information, marketing and discussing financial incentives with prospective applicants to promote redevelopment activities as specified in the redevelopment plans.

McMillion graduated from Riverdale High School before going on to receive an associates degree in liberal arts from Edison State College, a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of South Florida and a master’s in psychology from Nova Southeastern University. She most recently served as Behavioral/Intervention Specialist, Educator for the Lee County School District.

In 2008, McMillion co-founded the McMillion Foundation for Public Service, an IRS recognized 501c3 nonprofit organization that maintains a climate that attracts and motivates a diverse group of people towards public service. “As a Fort Myers native,” she states, “it has been exciting to see the changes that are taking place in our community. I look forward to working with the businesses, residents, and visitors that continue to make Fort Myers one of the best places to live, work, and play.”

Contact:
Fort Myers CRA
cra@cityftmyers.com
239-321-7100

CRA Approves The Irving for $4 Million Tax
Increment Rebate

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved a tax increment rebate and development agreement for The Irving in downtown Fort Myers.

The CRA approved a tax increment rebate in the not-to-exceed amount of $4 million for 2401 Bay Street, LLC disbursed at 85% of increment revenue generated each year until the $4 million rebate award is satisfied, or until the community redevelopment area sunsets in 2044 for The Irving located at 2401 Bay Street, Fort Myers, FL.

Located in the historic River District of Downtown Fort Myers, The Irving is a nine-floor apartment building atop a three-level parking structure. The building will feature 55-66 apartments (both 1 and 2 bedrooms), with an average of 875 square feet per apartment, and will include a resident swimming pool and approximately 1400 square feet of amenity space.

The developer has committed to pay 5 percent of the annual tax increment rebate payment to the SWFL Affordable Housing Foundation to create affordable housing and 15 percent of the construction hard cost is set aside for Minority Business Enterprises (MBE). 2401 Bay Street, LLC, also volunteered to work with the City of Fort Myers to improve the existing memorial at Palm Park. Plans call for construction to begin by 2022 and completion of the project in totality by 2023.

Developer:
Rebekah Barney, Owner
2401 Bay Street, LLC

Contact:
Fort Myers CRA
cra@cityftmyers.com
239-321-7100

CRA Approves $20,000 for Incubation Program

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved an amount not to exceed $20,000 for the SWFL Enterprise Center (SWFEC) Incubation Program.

The funds will be used to engage Dr. Peter Oscody of PreneurDomain to develop an incubation program for the SWFEC.

The SWFEC currently runs various trainings for small business owners to gain basic knowledge of developing a business, learn some of the fundamental skills including bookkeeping and some practical training like pre-construction, general construction and auto repair.

“These are good and useful training courses, but somewhat lacking the programmatic nature of an incubator,” said Oscody. “As entrepreneurs are at different stages of development, an incubator program needs to be able to provide appropriate training at the varied entrepreneurial evolutionary stages.
The Southwest Florida Enterprise Center Incubation Program will offer programs of different length including 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year and programs for different types of entrepreneurs:

• Trades-based entrepreneurs (profession- or trades-based small business development)
• Social entrepreneurs (social impact focused, triple-bottom-line, and b-corps), and potentially
• Venture entrepreneurs (requiring some level of original innovation).

Consultant:
Dr. Peter Ocsody, PhD
PreneurDomain
peter@preneurdomain.org
941-216-5955

Contact:
Phyllis R. Calloway, J.D., CRA Assistant Director
Southwest Florida Enterprise Center, A Division of the Fort Myers CRA
cra@cityftmyers.com
239-321-7100

Business Spotlight: Sozo Wellness Pharmacy

Sozo Wellness Pharmacy, located at 3510 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Suite 1, is a new business in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area, sub-area 2. As a locally-owned, independent pharmacy, Owner/Operator Dr. Shadreka McIntosh offers accessible pharmacy and wellness services to their surrounding community. In addition to traditional pharmacy services, Sozo Wellness Pharmacy offers “Live Well” services including natural remedies, nutritional supplements, immunizations, and affordable lab testing. “Be Whole” services are also part of their service to the community, including healthy food selections, mindfulness meditation classes, wellness classes, acupuncture, and massage.

Contact:
Sozo Wellness Pharmacy
info@sozo-pharmacy.com
239-488-2580

Business Spotlight: Edison Express/Chevron Gas Station

Edison Express/Chevron Gas Station is a legacy business located at 3005 Cleveland Avenue in the Cleveland Avenue redevelopment area, sub-area 2. Owned by Padma Properties LLC, they have been open for over 20 years, having been purchased by the current owner in 2004. The Chevron gas station and Edison Express convenience store are staples in providing general supplies and food to the surrounding area. Services and amenities include a convenience store, diesel gasoline, and NFC payments (wireless data transfer that allows smartphones to pay). In April 2021, they were approved for an $8,050 CRA Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant to enhance curb appeal to customers. Improvements have been completed and include landscaping, driveway repair, exterior lighting upgrades, and paint.

Contact:
Edison Express/Chevron Gas Station
239-334-6898

Save the Date:
2021 Holiday in the Park Kicks Off December 4

On December 4th, the Lee County Black History Society is back with Holiday in the Park at Roberto Clemente Park!

Their free annual event provides fun for the whole family.

This year’s theme is Christmas: Then & Now. Stay tuned for more details!

Dec. 4, 3 p.m.
Kickoff Event: Christmas Back in the Day

Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m.
Movie in the Park: The Preacher’s Wife

Contact:
Lee County Black History Society
blackhistory@leecountyblackhistorysociety.org
239-332-8778

#REDEVELOPMENTWORKS

Stay connected and learn more about your CRA!

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is an agency of the City of Fort Myers. Office hours: M – F 7:30 PM – 4:30 PM | 1400 Jackson Street, Suite 102, Fort Myers, FL 33901
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This press release was produced by Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.