key Projects

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard

McCollum Hall Project Description

This restoration project of McCollum Hall, which is a historic building with musical heritage deeply tied to the famed Chitlin’ Circuit of the 1930s and 50s. Since its purchase in 2008, the CRA has engaged community groups to help clean debris from the structure, stabilized the back wall and replaced the roof. In 2018 the developers McCollum Redevelopment Associates, LLC/ REVA Development Corporations where selected to complete the final rehab of McCollum. In 2020, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Certificate of Review process and application was approved. Once opened, McCollum Hall will feature the Oak & Ivy Design concept, which will celebrate the hall's historic Art Deco style in its renaissance as an artisanal food hall, a multi-use event space, and a micro-arts and images gallery in a newly constructed annex building. Completion of the project is expected in the first half of 2021.

McCollum Hall Project Timeline & Events

2012 Stabilized back wall and replaced the roof.
2016 Awarded $500,000 State of Florida Grant to help further progress with exterior restoration.
2019 The developer closed financing for the final phase of redevelopment.
2020 The developer successfully completed Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) Certificate of Review process and their application was approved in first part of 2020. Food hall concept, "Oak & Ivy" introduced, and building permit process commenced.
2020/2021 Mural finalists for Art Stumble back wall project were selected in September. Depending on any limitations imposed by coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the CRA, along with various community partners and the developers, plan for Art Stumble event McCollum Hall in early 2021.

Royal Palm Garden Apartments formerly Jones Walker Apartments Banner Image

Jones Walker Royal Palm Gardens Apartments

Jones Walker Royal Palm Gardens Apartments, a renovation of the already-established, 80-unit affordable housing community located at 2209 Blount Street, was originally constructed in 1970. The community consists of ten two-story, garden-style residential buildings containing 8 one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom, and 40 three-bedroom units with a leasing office set on 3.71 acres of land. The roof and windows will be replaced, HVAC upgraded, accessibility upgraded, and landscaping improved along with a list of other items to be addressed. The Jones Walker Royal Palm Gardens Apartments will receive an $800,000 CRA rebate of the taxes generated by the project in yearly installments at a rate of 95% for 15 years.

Royal Palm Garden Apartments formerly Jones Walker Apartments Angle Front View Today

Jones Walker Royal Palm Gardens Apartments
Project Timeline & Events

2020 Signed Development Agreement with Fort Myers CRA in January for the rehabilitation of the former Jones Walker Apartments.
2020 Renovation work began in February 2020 following the temporary relocation of the tenants.
2020 Third phase residents moved back to the property (24 units) as of September, and the fourth and final phase of unit work is underway with completion expected in October.
2020 Renovations are expected to be completed in the autumn of 2020.

Saint Peter Claver Place Apartments Rendering Banner Image

St. Peter Claver Place Apartments

Phase I of St. Peter Claver Place Apartments to be developed by National Development of America and the Diocese of Venice was approved for a $4 million CRA tax increment rebate in September 2019. The 214-unit affordable-housing apartment complex will be built in two phases, with Phase I consisting of 136 two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments in two- and three-story buildings, along with a community building. Known as St. Peter Claver Place, it will be built at 3681 Michigan Avenue. The Diocese of Venice currently owns the 17.44-acre site. In December 2019, a grant application was sent to Florida Housing; the developer will learn the status of the application within 30 days. In January 2020, the development agreement with the CRA was signed. Phase 1 was originally planned to for 120 units, which was expanded to 136 units in August 2020. At that time, the CRA tax increment rebate was also increased to $4.5 million. Completion of Phase I is planned for December 2022, and completion of Phase II is planned for May 2024.

Saint Peter Claver Place Apartments Rendering Back Image

St. Peter Claver Place Apartments
Project Timeline & Events

2019 Approved for a $4 million CRA tax increment rebate in September.
2019 Developer sent grant application to Florida Housing in December.
2020 Signed Development Agreement with Fort Myers CRA in January for the two-phase project.
2020 Phase I expanded to 136 units, CRA tax increment rebate increased to $4.5 million in August.

Seaboard Waterside Apartments

Seaboard Waterside Apartments, an eight-story, 420-rental unit to be built at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Seaboard Street, was approved for a total CRA tax increment rebate of $11.48 million in July 2019. The project will be built in two phases. The development will have a two-story parking garage built into the eight-floor complex. It will be the first project of its kind in the MLK redevelopment area. The Seaboard Apartments Phase I will receive a $7.145 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. Phase II will receive a $4.335 million rebate of the taxes generated by the project in yearly installments until the total amount is reached, or until 2044 as well. In January 2020, the development agreement with the CRA was signed. Phase ! of the $82 million project is projected to open in 2022.

Seaboard Waterside Apartments Project Timeline & Events

2019 Approved for a $11.48 million CRA tax increment rebate in July.
2020 Signed Development Agreement with Fort Myers CRA in January.
2020 Environmental Resource Permit granted in June.
2022 Phase I completion planned for January.
2028 Phase II completion planned for January.