Posted on: September 25, 2020
The monthly CRA Business Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the Fort Myers redevelopment areas, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an online p...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: December 4, 2020
Towles Garden is a project that the redevelopment plan for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd./VSSB Plan supports and Florida State Statute 163.345(1) encourages working with private enterprise:
"Any county or municipality, to the greatest ext...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: December 4, 2020
The 2-acre vacant lot, located at the foot of northbound Edison Bridge, has been left undeveloped for several decades. Developer Soho Sight, LLC, will build the 7-story concrete block multi-family community that will feature 221 apartments and a 334-space...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 12, 2020
The Edison Best New Product Awards™ is an annual competition honoring excellence in new product and service development, marketing, human-centered design, and innovation. Past winners have included Fortune 500s, small start-ups, and everything in between....
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: September 29, 2020
The Downtown hotel will be located at 2300 First Street on the southeast corner of First and Jackson streets, across from the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.
This eight-story, 77,000 sq. ft. hotel will add 132 rooms to the Downtown core area, thereby ...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 12, 2020
Located in the Downtown redevelopment area, the future four-story Hampton Inn will be situated on downtown Fort Myers' traffic artery, Cleveland Avenue, and will feature 118 rooms, an outdoor pool and patio area, a flexible boardroom for use, and...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 12, 2020
Congratulations to Fort Myers CRA Commissioner Randall P. Henderson, Jr., and Gaile H. Anthony, who were both honored with Extraordinary Service Awards for their years of service as members of the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commiss...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: September 29, 2020
The developer, Silver Hills Development, Inc., is currently building Phase I across the street. It is a $75 million project consisting of 327 units, and completion is anticipated in 2021.
Phase II will consist of a residential building that will ...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: September 29, 2020
This is the second phase of a 214-unit apartment community. Total project cost for Phase II will be $16,759,591.
The project will help alleviate the current deficit of housing in Fort Myers redevelopment areas and provide many c...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 1, 2020
Fort Myers CRA Executive Director Michele Hylton-Terry was recognized as an accomplished professional and certified redevelopment administrator who is deeply committed to the SWFL community. Both her mission in the CRA to advance businesses, transform com...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 1, 2020
Michele Hylton-Terry participated as a panelist for Progressive Women's Day 2020 on September 26, an inspirational virtual hour with progressive women in the Southwest Florida community. She discussed resilience in the workplace and how she maint...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: September 28, 2020
The order also includes the following additional provisions:
Section 2. Right to Work and Operate a Business: Provides that no Covid-19 Emergency Order may prevent an individual from working or operating a business.
Section 3....
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: September 25, 2020
The monthly CRA Business Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the Fort Myers redevelopment areas, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an online p...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: September 25, 2020
Fort Myers CRA's budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021 was adopted at the Board of Commissioners meeting on September 23, 2020.
Click Here to view the budget.
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: December 16, 2019
McCollum Hall Redevelopment Associates/REVA Development Corporation have presented their vision for the historic landmark’s new use and design finishes that highlight McCollum Hall’s historic character.
The first floor will fe...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: March 1, 2019
The Luminary Hotel & Co was officially dedicated at a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries & stakeholders, the hotel developer Mainsail Lodging & Development, and Luminary hotel staff.
Luminary Hotel & Co is home ...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: September 14, 2020
Effective September 14, the DBPR’s order allows bars and other alcoholic vendors to operate at 50% indoor capacity, allows bar service to seated patrons, and permits outdoor seating and service with appropriate social distancing.
READ M...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: September 10, 2020
Finalists J.P. Almonacid and Erik Schlake were both chosen as the mural artists for the Buck’s Backyard Mural Project at McCollum Hall by the City of Fort Myers Public Art Committee on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.
The mural project will be painte...
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Additional Info...
Redevelopment - News
Posted on: August 17, 2020
In an effort to support business within our redevelopment areas, the Fort Myers CRA is promoting Business Directories for its redevelopment areas. Click the links below to access the directory for each area.
Click Central Fort Myers for the Central Fort My...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: August 17, 2020
The Horizon Council and Horizon Foundation, the City of Fort Myers and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Fort Myers are proud to announce a joint partnership to sponsor and host the highly acclaimed international Edison Awards in the...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: August 17, 2020
Between August 17-28, drop off new cloth, reusable masks in both youth and adult sizes at the Fort Myers CRA office, 1400 Jackson Street, Suite 102, from Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The School District of Lee County is proud to partne...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: June 26, 2020
Suspend and toll any statute providing for final action at the conclusion of a mortgage foreclosure proceeding under Florida law solely when the proceeding arises from nonpayment of mortgage by a single-family mortgagor adversely affected by the COVID-19 ...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: June 26, 2020
The order also expands the authority to conduct business in virtual or telephonic means to the following:
Any taxing authority holding a millage and budget hearing under Chapter 200, Florida Statutes
A local governing board holding a hearing or meeting rega...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: July 8, 2020
Landscape/Facade Grants - Up to $50,000
These matching grants fund exterior commercial property work such as repair, awnings, landscaping, and lighting in the Cleveland Avenue redevelopment area. Design criteria apply. Two grant levels: Maximum of 10% of t...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: June 26, 2020
Effective immediately, the DBPR’s order states that all vendors who sell alcoholic beverages on premises and derive over 50% of their revenue from these sales shall suspend on-premises sales. Bars can continue to sell alcoholic beverages in seal...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: June 25, 2020
The mission of the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center is to be a learning laboratory for entrepreneurial enterprises and to provide assistance and support to the entrepreneur so that he or she may realize the full potential of their enterprise and of the...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: December 16, 2019
"We are very pleased to have found some creative solutions that support the community local community in several ways," stated CRA Chair Fred Burson. The CRA’s Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the changes to the program at i...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: June 15, 2020
The FREE parking program is valid on Mondays – Thursdays after 4:00 p.m. It began on Monday, June 15, 2020; and is offered at the two City garages located at City of Palms Garage on 2118 Bay Street and Main Street Garage on 2286 Main S...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: June 4, 2020
Effective June 5, 2020, the Governor’s order allows for expanded activities with social distancing precautions including: allowing restaurants to use bar top seating; entertainment businesses, bars and pubs to operate at 50% capacity indoors/ful...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: April 21, 2020
In Case You Need it: We have compiled a group of important sources for latest COVID-19 updates, responses, and post recovery information.
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: April 3, 2020
Small businesses are essential to our local economy and are vital to our community. The CRA staff has compiled a list of companies within our CRA redevelopment areas that are open for business. Please join us in marketing and promoting their services.
Plea...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 12, 2020
Keep up to date with the latest redevelopment news in Fort Myers by signing up to subscribe to the CRA's newsletters.
The Fort Myers CRA publishes three newsletters on a regular basis:
- CRA Newsletter A monthly report on new redevelopment i...
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Additional Info...
Redevelopment - News
Posted on: May 22, 2019
The monthly Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in Fort Myers redevelopment areas, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an online presence. ...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: April 23, 2020
The Governor’s order allows the reopening of organized youth activities including youth sports teams and leagues, youth clubs and programs, and child care, as well as summer camps and youth recreation camps.
READ MORE for more information about t...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: April 10, 2020
Due to unprecedented circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak, Florida Gulf Coast University’s Lutgert College of Business has created a survey to help understand the economic impact the pandemic is having on Southwest Florida...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: April 7, 2020
The Governor’s order allows employers receiving money from the federal CARES Act to use the full dollar amount to pay their rent and help their employees, and ensures that no payment of documentary stamp taxes will be required.
READ MORE for more...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: March 31, 2020
Please feel free to disseminate it as you see fit. Our annual report is statutorily required to be available by March 31st each year.
Click this link to read a PDF of the 2019 Fort Myers CRA Annual Report.
You may also visit this link to access the report: ...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: March 31, 2020
The City of Fort Myers and Fort Myers CRA are both still open and operating with appropriate modifications due to COVID-19.
READ MORE for more information about essential services and activities addressed in the Governor’s executive ord...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: December 16, 2019
In addition, a new Performance Schedule and a Consent to Lease was approved at the CRA Board of Commissioners meeting on December 11, 2019. The project is on schedule for a December 2020 Grand Opening.
McCollum Redevelopment Associates, LLC, through its pa...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: December 16, 2019
On December 11, 2019, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners authorized CRA’s grant application/ project submission to Bloomberg Philanthropies. The CRA will apply for a $25,000 to enhance the safety and pedestrian experien...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: December 20, 2019
On December 11, 2019, at the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners meeting, new applications for the program participation were accepted from two businesses located in the Downtown redevelopment area. Cigent Technologies, ...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: December 16, 2019
The Developer, Cedar River at Fort Myers II, LLC, the residential development brand of JAXI CMD, LLC, requested that the construction start date be extended six months, from its original start date of December 31, 2019. At this time, Cedar River has spent...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 29, 2019
The FRA is the statewide organization that promotes redevelopment in Florida. Their Board of Directors are volunteer leaders who are responsible for the direction of the organization. The Board governs, develops policy, and sets a course for the future. T...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 29, 2019
Community members are invited to download the free app onto their smart device and follow the narrated tour of ten cultural stops. Look for the Florida Stories app on your iPhone through the App Store, or get it on Google Play. Once the app is d...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 29, 2019
Antoine is a Fort Myers native, and previous to joining the Fort Myers CRA was employed with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), where his principal focus was on providing leadership in the areas of small business development and retention. In simil...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 29, 2019
The Royal Palm Gardens Apartments will be a renovation of the Jones Walker Palm Gardens affordable housing community located at 2209 Blount Street, which was originally constructed in 1970. The community consists of ten two-story, garden-style residential...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: September 27, 2019
Developers Hos Management/HBH FTM HOTEL LLC will build the Hampton Inn by Hilton Fort Myers at 2017 McGregor Boulevard, a building site they already own. The project will incorporate Hampton Inn’s prototype contemporary, confident design scheme that refle...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: September 27, 2019
The 214-unit affordable-housing apartment complex will be built in two phases, with Phase I consisting of 120 two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments in two- and three-story buildings, along with a community building. Known as St. Peter Claver Place, it ...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: August 28, 2019
Silver Hills at Fort Myers will be built at 2220 West First Street on a large 4.46-acre vacant parcel bounded on the south by West First Street, on the north by the Caloosahatchee River, and on the east by Altamont Avenue. The development will feature two...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 29, 2019
The FRA’s Redevelopment Professional designation is granted through their Redevelopment Academy, which provides a program of classes that promote a high level of knowledge and professionalism in the field of redevelopment. The goals of the academy are as ...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: October 2, 2019
Mr. Pitts noted that he chose Ms. Hylton-Terry for her unwavering effort in leading the City of Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency in creating jobs, housing and economic growth in our underserved communities.
“As head of the Fort Myers CRA, Michele ...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: August 8, 2019
Partnering with SWFL Community Foundation and the City, the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency suggested transforming the former 1924 Atlantic Coast Line Railway depot into the cornerstone of Collaboratory’s campus, along with a modern addition and...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: July 18, 2019
The plans for the 318-unit apartment building are finished and are currently in the permit approval process for both the site and the building. Approvals are expected within the next two weeks, after which the required construction fence and liner will be...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: July 18, 2019
The Seaboard Apartments will be built at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Seaboard Street in Fort Myers in two phases. The development will offer 420 apartments, with a two-story parking garage built into the eight-floor complex. It will be the first pro...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: June 27, 2019
Community leaders were invited to a Topping Out Ceremony at Harborside Event Center, which included a sneak preview of two model hotel rooms, an introduction of the development team's luminaries, and a ride up to the top for selected leaders.
Vis...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: June 27, 2019
Vantage Lofts will be built west of the Caloosahatchee Bridge on Carson Street, located between First and Second Street. The sixteen-story development will offer 221 luxury loft style apartments with 5,000 square feet of retail space including a 5-story p...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: May 24, 2019
The Grand Central Luxury Apartments project, a 282-unit market-rate apartment complex with an estimated value of $50 million, is the first project to use stormwater treatment credits from the Cleveland Avenue Nutrient Bank. The Nutrient Bank is an additio...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: May 24, 2019
J.B. Schuetz, Parks and Beautification Manager with the City of Fort Myers, has been the City’s lead person working with Mr. Diserio. The plans, known as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Landscape Refresh Plans, have been approved by the City’s Beaut...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: May 22, 2019
Holiday Inn will be built on the three original city land parcels at 1651 Royal Palm Avenue, 2465 Second Street, and 2466 First Street, located on the northeast corner of Royal Palm Avenue and Second Street. The hotel will offer a restaurant/bar, meeting ...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: May 22, 2019
The monthly East Fort Myers Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the East Fort Myers redevelopment area, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an o...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: April 26, 2019
FieldEdge, the company that invented service software for contractors, was approved to participate in Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) Job Creation & Talent Attraction Program. CRA commissioners approved FieldEdge’s application, and t...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: December 16, 2019
Art Stumble 2020 will be an artistic mural painting event designed to promote pride in the Fort Myers Dunbar community, as well as a way to support economic growth with aesthetic enhancement. The Art Stumble 2020 block party will be held on April 25, 2020...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: April 24, 2019
The monthly East Fort Myers Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the East Fort Myers redevelopment area, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an o...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: April 26, 2019
As Fiscal Manager, Ms. Thornton will oversee financial processes such as the CRA’s budgets, financial reports, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) calculations, disbursements, etc.
Prior to joining the CRA, Ms. Thornton was a juvenile case manager for BAYS Flori...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: March 1, 2019
CRA commissioners approved Cigent’s application and the firm is eligible to receive up to $8,000 if the new employee is both working and residing in a redevelopment area.
This program will incentivize the creation and retention of full-time employment with...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: March 1, 2019
More than just a garden, this urban initiative will infuse 21st Century agricultural skills and the beautification of a blighted neighborhood with art and culture. This multi-faceted effort combines community development, nutrition, education, entrepreneu...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: March 21, 2019
The monthly East Fort Myers Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the East Fort Myers redevelopment area, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an o...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: January 25, 2019
The CRA and the City of Fort Myers have worked together to revitalize and improve the look of Cleveland Avenue (U.S. 41)!
The CRA provided a $194,200 funding match for a $100,000 FDOT Beautification Grant for the design, installation, and maintenance of me...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: January 25, 2019
The monthly East Fort Myers Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the East Fort Myers redevelopment area, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an o...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: January 25, 2019
The monthly East Fort Myers Spotlight feature was developed to support the business community in the East Fort Myers redevelopment area, through using social media and website promotion to focus on various small businesses that may not otherwise have an o...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: April 26, 2019
As Sr. Administrative Assistant, Ms. Rea will manage the CRA office.
She is an accomplished administrative manager, having worked in private corporate sectors as well as in State and County government agencies.
Previous experience in a variety of sectors wi...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: June 1, 2019
At the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) January 23, 2019, Board meeting, commissioners recognized that the River District’s growing special events required improved first responder access in navigating the crowded streets—so the Board appro...
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Redevelopment - News
Posted on: January 24, 2019
The City of Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is proud to announce the new Job Creation & Talent Attraction Program.
Targeted industries eligible for the program include research and development in the physical, engineering, computer or l...
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Redevelopment - News