FORT MYERS, Fla. (October 26, 2009) - The Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency (FMRA) has won the Best New Building Project Award the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) for its “Fort Myers River District Publix Supermarket” project. It is one of 12 top redevelopment projects and representatives recognized this year by FRA for outstanding achievements in community improvement.
“I am truly proud of our team’s effort and commitment to the success of this project and grateful for FRA’s recognition,” said Don Paight, executive director of the Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency. “Our goal was to create a revitalized urban center by embracing an innovative design that would attract residents and grow business. We’re proud of the result.”
The goal of the Fort Myers River District Publix Supermarket project was to develop a healthy residential population and attract retail business, restaurants and entertainment components.
According to Paight, building the Publix grocery store directly in the midst of downtown residents solved a number of community problems. The store provides a unique shopping experience and has created a meeting place for residents occupying the nearly 3,000 residential units in the downtown area. Paight also says that the project has increased neighborhood social interaction, improved security and offers gas savings as residents are able to walk or bike downtown in lieu of driving.
“I applaud this year’s winners and all the leaders and representatives who have dedicated time and energy to invigorate their communities with knowledge and creativity through redevelopment,” said FRA President J. Gary Rogers, executive director of the City of Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in Broward County. “This has been a challenging year and I am proud to recognize our members for their commitment to success. Redevelopment is a powerful economic engine and an important key to our state’s economic recovery.”
Each year, FRA honors redevelopment leaders and CRAs for exemplary projects and programs in Florida. There are 12 awards presented, including the Roy F. Kenzie Awards which honor the best in Florida redevelopment and the President’s Award that recognizes the top project of the year. The recipients will be honored at an awards dinner during the FRA Annual Conference on Oct. 29 in Orlando.
The Florida Redevelopment Association is “committed to building better communities in Florida,” said Rogers. Founded in 1974, FRA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting Florida professionals and volunteers in revitalizing their communities. FRA’s mission is to provide a forum for its more than 300 members to share knowledge and common experiences regarding redevelopment opportunities and issues, encourage adoption of legal and financial tools and programs favorable to community redevelopment and serve as a statewide clearinghouse for redevelopment information.
For more information about the awards program or the Florida Redevelopment Association, contact Carol Westmoreland, executive director, at (850) 224-6779 or visit www.redevelopment.net.
The Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency (FMRA), formerly known as The Downtown Redevelopment Agency, was created in 1984 by the City of Fort Myers Florida to formulate a plan and strategy for the revitalization of the River District. The FMRA has continued to grow and redevelopment districts have been added throughout the city. Now, Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency oversees 14 different redevelopment districts within the Fort Myers city limits. The Fort Myers City Council members sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, oversee the FMRA and its operations. The FMRA office is located at 1400 Jackson St. in the River District.