KEY Projects

Downtown

Luminary Hotel

Luminary Hotel & Co. is home to the signature Silver King Ocean Brasserie, the Beacon Social Drinkery rooftop lounge, The Workshop culinary theater, an indoor and outdoor fitness facility, Ella Mae's Diner and retail space at street level, and a pool area on the fourth floor overlooking the Caloosahatchee River. The hotel also offers more than 8,000 square feet of function space and is connected to the neighboring Caloosa Sound Convention Center.

The $91 million Luminary Hotel & Co., an Autograph Marriott Collection hotel, was built by Mainsail Lodging & Development. It opened in September 2020. The 12-story hotel features 243 guest rooms, 210 parking spaces and ground level retail spaces. This project, located next to the Downtown River Basin between Edwards Drive and Bay Street, was selected for a $2.6 million tax rebate/loan agreement. It has brought back convention capabilities to the Downtown core. The rehabilitation of the former Harborside Event Center, rechristened the Caloosa Sound Convention Center & Amphitheater, was also completed in September 2020. The adjoining restaurants and bars were opened in October and November 2020. An amphitheater in adjacent Centennial Park is slated to open in 2021. The Oxbow Bar & Grill and Oxbow Retail & Rentals opened in March 2021 in the renovated City Pier Building. The Luminary Hotel & Co. schedule of events may be found by clicking here.

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Luminary Hotel Project Timeline & Events

2017 Project is approved for a $2.6 million tax increment rebate/loan in December. This is notable because the developer plans to pay back the total rebate to the CRA with interest.
2019 Onsite underground utility construction and structural concrete begins on the hotel tower. Initial reconstruction of the service entrance to the event center begins in October.
2020 By January, hotel construction is well underway with stucco and painting on the eastern facade.
2020 Local media previews the hotel interior in July.
2020 Luminary Hotel & Co. openings:
- Hotel ribbon cutting on September 17, opens September 23.
- Caloosa Sound Convention Center ribbon cutting and opening on September 19.
- The Beacon Social Drinkery rooftop lounge opens October 15.
- The Silver King Ocean Brasserie opens November 5.
2021 The Oxbow Bar & Grill opens on March 22.

West End at City Walk

In May 2018, the West End at City Walk mixed-use residential project was selected to receive $5.5 million in Tax Increment Finance rebate over a ten-year period once the project generates property tax. Originally, West End at City Walk proposed to construct 302 residential units, a 128-key Marriott brand hotel, and 5,000 to 10,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. As part of an updated agreement passed in December 2019, the hotel portion of the project was severed from the agreement due to changes in the market; however, an additional 18 residential apartment units, 77 parking spaces, and energy efficiency enhancements were added in response to the CRA Board of Commissioners, creating a more desirable Downtown residential complex. As of November 2020, the buildings on Phase I of the project were topped off and the temporary leasing office opened in early December for pre-leasing. West End at City Walk is located in the block to the west of the Downtown Publix on West First Street.

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West End at City Walk Project Timeline & Events

2019 Project breaks ground.
2020 In November, the buildings on Phase I of the project are topped off.
2020 Leasing for the first building begins in early December.
2020 Plans for the two commercial parcels of Phase II are finalized and announced in December.
2021 Completion planned for 2021.

Silver Hills at Fort Myers

Silver Hills at Fort Myers, a two-building, four-to-five-story luxury apartment community to be built at 2220 West First Street, has been approved for a tax increment rebate of $12.96 million rebate of the taxes generated by the project in yearly installments until the total amount is reached, or until 2044 when the redevelopment area sunsets. To be built on a large 4.46-acre vacant parcel on West First Street along the Caloosahatchee River, the development will feature two buildings containing a total of 327 apartments. The units offered will be a mix of studio, one bedroom/one bath, two bedroom/two bath, and three bedroom/two bath units. A 580-space parking garage will be located mid-block between the two residential buildings. The façade of Silver Hills at Fort Myers will pay homage to the historic buildings of Fort Myers’ walkable River District core. Instead of looming as two large concrete buildings, they will appear to be several smaller mid-rise residences rising above the riverfront with the parking structure cleverly concealed by the living spaces. As of late December 2019, the developer closed on the properties for development (2220 West First Street and 1901 Altamont Avenue). The $75.524 million project is projected to open in 2022.

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Silver Hills at Fort Myers Project Timeline & Events

2019 The project is approved for a $12.96 million tax increment rebate in August.
2020 Site work begins in early April with grading and installation of erosion controls and geo-piles.
2020 Foundational structure installation begins.
2021 First units to be delivered in July or August.
2022 Projected open date is 2022.

Hampton Inn

Hampton Inn by Hilton Fort Myers, a four-story, 118-room hotel to be built at 2017 McGregor Boulevard, has been approved for a $1.9 million rebate of the taxes generated by the project. The rebate will be issued in yearly installments at a rate of 95% for the first five years and at a rate of 75% for the remaining years until the total rebate amount is reached. Developers already own the building site. The project will incorporate Hampton Inn’s prototype contemporary, confident design scheme that reflects modern, timeless décor. The $16 million project is projected to open in 2023.

Hampton Inn Project Timeline & Events

2019 The project is approved for a $1.9 million tax increment rebate in September.
2019 In October, the site work permit is issued, the building permit application is submitted, the general contractor is selected, and the TIF agreement is executed.
2019 Financing closes for the project in November.
2020 Grading and initial site work underway in March.
2020 Ground breaking in October.
2023 Project completion is set for 2023.

Vantage Lofts

Vantage Lofts, a 16-story loft style apartment development, is being built west of the Caloosahatchee Bridge on Carson Street, located between First and Second Street. It will offer 221 loft apartments with 5,000 square feet of retail space, including a 5-story parking garage. Located on the roof will be a VIP lounge with a game room, a fitness and yoga center as well as a pool. Other amenities include workspaces, a pet spa, an outdoor community and dog park. In 2019, the project was approved for a TIF rebate of $11.4 million. This project will provide needed housing and retail space, thereby contributing directly to the revitalization of the Fort Myers River District. It will bring young professionals to the Fort Myers area and promote new business growth once completed. The $63 million project is planned for completion in 2023.

Vantage Lofts Timeline & Events

2019 Project approved for a tax increment rebate of $11.4 million.
2020 Real estate closing completed.
2021 In February, the final design and engineering is completed. Final Planned Urban Development (PUD) submitted to City of Fort Myers in March.
2021 Planned completion is 2023.

Gardner’s Park Neighborhood Improvements

Several neighborhood improvements in Gardner’s Park are underway. Six neighborhood signs have been completed, and three pet stations are in the process of being installed. These stations will help pet owners keep the neighborhood clean and attractive.

Gardners Park sign detail Welcome to Gardner's Park The Garden and Arts District Established 1885

Gardner's Park Neighborhood Improvements
Project Timeline & Events

2019 In April, a signage placement plan was determined for several points around the Gardner's Park neighborhood.
2019 Signs were installed in July.
2019 Pet waste stations were installed in several neighborhood streets.

AC Hotel by Marriott

The AC Hotel by Marriott will be located at 2300 First Street on the southeast corner of First and Jackson streets, across from the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, in the Downtown redevelopment area. This eight-story, 77,000 sq. ft. hotel will add 132 rooms to the Downtown core area, thereby strengthening the area's convention capabilities by acting as overflow lodging complimenting the Luminary Hotel and adjacent Caloosa Sound Convention Center. Developer First Street Place LLC has entered into an agreement with Mainsail Lodging (Luminary Hotel & Co.) to manage the AC Hotel by Marriott and to be a equity investor. The AC Hotel by Marriott project was approved for a $5.57 million tax increment rebate, which will be paid back to the developers over the course of 10 years after the project is completed and is generating additional tax from its projected increase in tax value on the property. CRA Commissioners approved a 95% rebate based on the developer's commitment to benefit the community in the following ways:

15% Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Commitment The developer will commit $1,000,000 during the design and construction phase of the project to MBEs (15% of total construction would be $4,323,000).
Non-for-Profit Community Organization Contribution of 5% of the annual TIF Award First Street Place LLC plans a 5% yearly contribution to United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties to specifically fund a new social justice program being formed between the Nations Association and Fort Myers Police Department.
Out of the Box Developer First Street Place LLC proposes a 132-room hotel located within one pedestrian shed of the Caloosa Sound Convention Center. The additional rooms are needed to support Fort Myers ability to draw world class conventions to the new Caloosa Sound Convention Center.

A report by Gerald Hendry of Maxwell, Hendry, Simmons Real Estate Appraisers indicates that during the construction phase, this project will have an economic impact of $42.7 million and support or create 396 jobs. Additionally, it will have an economic impact of $44.3 million and support or create 350 jobs during its initial five years of operations. The proposed completion is Fall 2022.

AC Hotel by Marriott
Project Timeline & Events

2020 Approved for a $5.57 million tax increment rebate.
2022 Completion date set for Fall.