We are thrilled to deliver our 2020 Annual Report for your information. The CRA staff has worked diligently to produce a document that features the activities of 2020 in an attractive, professional report. Read More
This month's redevelopment area spotlights are Pier One Yacht Sales, located in the Downtown redevelopment area, and Fred's Award World, located in the East Fort Myers redevelopment area. View their presentation for more details! Read More
We want your feedback on the type of public art you want at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Veronica S. Shoemaker boulevards. Read More
On February 10, the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) opened their 6th Community Outreach Center at 2125 First Street in the Strayhorn Building. Read More
This month's redevelopment area spotlights are Big Cal Soul Food and Community Cooperative Community Cafe Kitchen, both located in the Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area. View their presentation for more details! Read More
This month's redevelopment area spotlights are Green Cup Cafe and Enjewel Boutique, both located in the Downtown redevelopment area. View their presentation for more details! Read More
Please enjoy the River District Alliance's (RDA) annual report of activities for the year 2020, as required by the terms of their grant agreement with the Fort Myers CRA. Read More
The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is proud to announce that Aaron Tate and Renee Turbeville have joined the CRA as Community Redevelopment Specialists. Read More
On December 28, plans for the McCollum Hall Restoration Project received final approval! The final construction permit for the restoration work is ready for pick up. Construction begins in February. Build out will be completed 10 months or less. Read More
The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Commercial Property Improvement Grant Program is a matching grant for commercial property owners and businesses within Fort Myers commercial redevelopment areas. Read More
This month's redevelopment area spotlights are Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., and Splatter Dayz Paint Studio, both located in the Cleveland Avenue redevelopment area. View their presentation for more details! Read More
Towles Garden, a 140-unit affordable townhome community in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area, was approved for a $4.9 million CRA tax increment rebate on December 2, 2020. Read More
Palmera on the River, a 221-unit apartment community in the Downtown redevelopment area, was approved for a $9.535 million CRA tax increment rebate on December 2, 2020. Read More
The Edison Awards has issued a Call for Nominations for the 2021 Edison Awards. Companies who've recently launched outstanding innovations are invited to apply by November 20, 2020. Read More
AC by Marriott Hotel, a 132-room hotel to be built in the Downtown redevelopment area, was approved for a tax increment rebate of $5.57 million at the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners meeting on October 14, 2020. Read More
CRA Commissioners Randall P. Henderson, Jr. and Gaile H. Anthony were recognized for their years of service on the CRA’s Board of Commissioners. Read More
Silver Hills at Fort Myers, Phase II, a 126-unit luxury multi-family apartment community to be built in the Downtown redevelopment area, was approved for a tax increment rebate of $4.965 million at the Board of Commissioners meeting on September 23. Read More
St. Peter Claver Place Apartments, Phase II, a 78-unit workforce housing apartment community to be built in the Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area, was approved for a tax increment rebate of $2.6 million by Fort Myers CRA Commissioners on September 23. Read More
Fort Myers CRA Executive Director Michele Hylton-Terry was featured the FutureMakers Coalition August 28, 2020 newsletter as the issue's spotlight. Read More
Fort Myers CRA Executive Director Michele Hylton-Terry appeared on Progressive Women's Day 2020 on September 26. It was a virtual hour with progressive women of Southwest Florida. Read More
This month's redevelopment area spotlight is Babyland Christian Academy, an early education school, located at 2329 Union Street, Suite 1 in the Downtown redevelopment area. View their presentation for more details! Read More
Fort Myers CRA's budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021 was adopted at the Board of Commissioners meeting on September 23, 2020. Several exciting new items have been added to the budget. Read More
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. Read More
On September 10, at the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) issued Emergency Order 2020-10, which states that DBPR is allowing bars to operate at 50% indoor capacity. Read More
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. Read More
Together with the Horizon Foundation, the City of Fort Myers, the Fort Myers CRA has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to support the Edison Universe. Read More
On July 29, Florida Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-180 which extends for an additional 30 days prior orders providing for moratoriums on mortgage foreclosure and evictions. However, the order also amends prior orders. Read More
On July 29, Florida Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-179 which extends local government the authority to conduct business in virtual or telephonic form through September 1, 2020. Read More
The Fort Myers CRA is offering several Commercial Property Grants in the Cleveland Avenue redevelopment area. Receive up to $50,000 in grant funds! Read More
On June 26, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), has issued Emergency Order 2020-09 which states that DBPR is suspending the “on premises” consumption of alcohol at bars statewide. Read More
Southwest Florida Enterprise Center will reopen all of its public spaces in accordance with Florida's re-opening order. Deep cleaning, a social distancing plan, and ordering supplies for safe hygiene are protocols implemented in advance of opening day. Read More
New criteria for the CRA's Tax Increment Rebate (TIF) Program were approved at the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners meeting on June 24, 2020. Read More
Participating restaurants and retail shops will distribute parking vouchers to their customers to be used any time after 4:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Read More
Governor Ron DeSantis Executive Order: On June 3, Governor DeSantis issued an executive order which allows Florida to enter Phase 2 Recovery and Reopening plan for all counties except Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Read More
This News Flash will let you know about businesses in our redevelopment areas that are open according to COVID-19 reopen guidelines and ready to serve you at this time. We recommend calling the businesses prior visiting them. Read More
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is in the Fort Myers business spotlight!
Mason’s opened in January 2020 at 2122 First Street in the Downtown redevelopment area. Read More
Governor Ron DeSantis Executive Order: On May 22, Governor DeSantis directed an emergency order extending the opening of organized youth activities. Read More
Governor Ron DeSantis Executive Order: On April 6, Governor DeSantis directed an emergency order suspending the assessment and collection of taxation on all notes for employers who receive federal CARES Act money. Read More
We are thrilled to deliver our 2019 Annual Report for your information. The CRA staff has worked diligently to produce a document that captures the activities of 2019 in a very professional well-crafted report. Read More
Governor Ron DeSantis Executive Order: On April 1, Governor DeSantis directed Floridians to limit movements and personal interactions outside of their home. Read More
McCollum Redevelopment Associates, LLC/Reva Development Corporation has secured financing to complete the restoration of historic McCollum Hall, a former dance hall and retail center in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area. Read More
Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to apply for a $25,000 to enhance the safety and pedestrian experience through the deployment of meaningful asphalt art installations along the route of Walk Dunbar Cultural Landmarks Tour. Read More
The Fort Myers CRA Job Creation and Talent Attraction Program, a grant available to businesses in targeted industries, has welcomed a total of 17 candidates and a possible total of $81,000 to companies in targeted industries since December 2018. Read More
An amendment to the One Allure Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Rebate Agreement to extend the construction start date to July 1, 2020, was approved at the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners meeting on December 11. Read More
Fort Myers CRA Executive Director Michele Hylton-Terry was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) on October 17, 2019, at the FRA’s Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida. Read More
Royal Palm Gardens Apartments, a renovation of the already-established, 80-unit affordable housing community Jones Walker Palm Gardens Apartments, was approved for a tax increment rebate at the Fort Myers CRA Board of Commissioners meeting on October 23. Read More
Hampton Inn by Hilton Fort Myers, a four-story, 118-room hotel to be built in the Downtown redevelopment area, was approved for a tax increment rebate of $1.9 million at the Fort Myers CRA Board of Commissioners meeting on September 25. Read More
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 tax increment rebate of $4 million at the Fort Myers CRA Board of Commissioners meeting on September 25. Read More
Silver Hills at Fort Myers, a two-building, four-to-five-story luxury apartment community to be built in the Downtown redevelopment area, was approved for a tax increment rebate of $12.96 million, at the CRA Board of Commissioners meeting on August 28. Read More
At the NAACP Freedom Fund Gala on Sept. 21, Master of Ceremonies Lee Pitts presented Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Executive Director Michele Hylton-Terry with the Lee Pitts Live 2019 Economic Development Person of the Year Award. Read More
The Collaboratory is southwest Florida’s first public sphere where people from different backgrounds, interests and areas of expertise exchange ideas—either in person or virtually worldwide through the ultra-high-speed Florida Lambda Rail network. Read More
Seaboard Waterside Apartments, an 8-story, 420-rental unit to be built in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (MLK) redevelopment area, was approved for a tax increment rebate of $11.48 million at the CRA Board of Commissioners meeting on July 17. Read More
Vantage Lofts, a luxury rental apartment complex to be built in the Downtown redevelopment area, was approved for an increment rebate of $11.4 million, at the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners meeting on June 26. Read More
The Grand Central apartments under construction and appear to be on pace for completion by March 2020. All Retail is completed and open for business. Read More
David M. Jones and Associates, Inc., Gregory J. Diserio, RLA, has worked with J.B. Schuetz, Parks and Beautification Manager with the City of Fort Myers, to create a new landscape design for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (State Road 82). Read More
Holiday Inn, a 6-story, 135-room full-service hotel to be built in the Downtown redevelopment area, was approved for a tax increment rebate up to $3,300,000, at the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners meeting on May 22. Read More
This month's East Fort Myers redevelopment area spotlight is Alma's Fashion Boutique, Inc., dress and gown shop, located at 3623 Palm Beach Boulevard. View their video for more details! Read More
FieldEdge, formerly dESCO, was approved to participate in the CRA Job Creation & Talent Attraction Program. FieldEdge is the company that invented service software for contractors. Read More
Art Stumble 2020, a mural-painting project on the wall behind McCollum Hall and a corresponding event by the Fort Myers Mural Society, was approved at the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners meeting on December 11. Read More
This month's East Fort Myers redevelopment area spotlight is La Michoacana ice cream shop, located at 3629 Palm Beach Boulevard. View their video for more details! Read More
The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is proud to announce that Cheryl Vaughan Thornton, who joined the CRA in September 2018 as Community Redevelopment Manager, and was promoted to the role of Fiscal Manager for the Agency in March 2019. Read More
The first company approved to participate in Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) Job Creation & Talent Attraction Program is Cigent Technology Inc. Read More
On February 27, 2019, CRA commissioners approved a grant for up to $13,000 to complete the $246,000 Barden Street Community Garden Learning Center (BCG), requested by the I Will Mentorship Foundation. Read More
This month's East Fort Myers redevelopment area spotlight is Andy's Mini Market & Grocery, located at 3805 Palm Beach Boulevard. View their video for more details! Read More
This month's East Fort Myers redevelopment area spotlight is El Caribe Latin Flavor Cuban Restaurant & Bakery, located at 3917 Palm Beach Boulevard. View their video for more details! Read More
The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is proud to announce that Sheryl Rea joined the CRA in January 2019 as Sr. Administrative Assistant. Read More
CRA Board approved the purchase of a customized Medical/Fire Rescue Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) for $26,000 using Downtown redevelopment area funds, to be used by the Fire Department to better navigate through the River District’s growing special events. Read More
The CRA’s program will incentivize the creation and retention of full-time employment within the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Areas by offering a grant payment to companies that create or relocate high wage full-time jobs within an area. Read More
