This monthly newsletter is produced in effort to keep you better informed and engaged about the work of your Fort Myers CRA.
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Photo source: businessobserverfl.com
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In Case You Missed It:
Prima Luce Project Advancing
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“We’re going deep with the foundation, and vertical development will follow shortly afterward,” MacFarlane says. “It’s taken longer than anticipated but we’re now moving forward.”
MacFarlane Barney development plans continues vertical construction of its twin-towered Prima Luce condominium project on the Caloosahatchee River just outside downtown Fort Myers in the weeks ahead.
Read More
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Downtown Boundary Expansion
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During February’s CRA Board of Commissioners meeting, Senior Planner, Jared Beck, of Santec Consulting Services, made a presentation on the downtown boundary expansion recommendations from the 2017 award winning 2017 study. Previously adopted in 2017, this year, staff will implement the boundary expansion for the downtown area as recommended.
The report was adopted in November 2017. Its purpose was to give the CRA a "big picture" look at its redevelopment success and new opportunities throughout the City of Fort Myers. Each area's analysis concluded with recommendations and action steps for the CRA to implement. Some of the recommendations have already been put into action, like the expansion of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard redevelopment area.
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Florida in Focus 2020: Affordable Housing
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(L) Fort Myers City Manager,
Saeed Kazemi
, P. E. (2) Fort Myers CRA Commissioners Henderson and Anthony (3) Senator Kathleen C. Passidomo, member of the Florida Senate representing the 28th district, and Fort Myers CRA Executive Director, Michele Hylton-Terry
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FL House Budget Plans to shift $240 million in Affordable housing funds to other spending nee
ds
The 2020 Florida legislative session is underway!
This month CRA Executive Director, Michele Hylton-Terry accompanied CRA Commissioners Anthony, Henderson, and Watkins Brown to advocate on behalf of the needs of our community. They all met and spoke with a number of State Legislators regarding important local matter such as preserving the tenets home rule, and there being comprehensive state support for local efforts to provide affordable housing options to low- to moderate income households.
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Barden Street Garden Moving Forward
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Permitting and construction on the CRA supported Barden Street Community Garden Learning Center (BCG), a neighborhood urban initiative located at Barden and Flint streets just south of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, is progressing. View an informational video about the I Will Mentorship Foundation and the Barden Street Garden at
https://youtu.be/Z2h34n9qouo
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Hello! Meet CRA Staff Member:
Cheryl Thornton, Fiscal Manager
Cheryl joined CRA in 2018. She is a doer and excels in her work with the CRA. In 2019, her role evolved from a Community Redevelopment Manager to Fiscal Manager, and now oversees financial processes such as the CRA’s budgets, financial reports, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) calculations, disbursements, etc. Aside from managing and completing these and other duties, Cheryl is an active member of the community and is the CRA staff liaison for the 2019-2020 United Way Campaign. The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people in our community.
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All CRA staff members have committed to providing additional time and/or resources to local United Way efforts.
Some CRA staff members are 'Keel' club, who donate approximately $1,000 or more per year to the United Way.
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(L) Michelle Jones / City of Fort Myers Parks and Recreation, (R) Cheryl Thornton Fort Myers CRA.
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We Celebrate You. Happy Birthday!
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Natalie S. Dunham
Marketing & Promotions Manager
Cheryl Thornton
Fiscal Manager
From the entire CRA team
!
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Art Stumble Call to Artists
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The Fort Myers Mural Society has announced a call to artists for a mural project that will draw attention to the historic origins of McCollum Hall. The anticipated mural will cover 17 panels on the concrete wall that separates McCollum Hall from the residential neighborhood just to the north.
Artists and artist teams who are interested in participating in the project have until March 31, 2020 to submit a design plan and sketch along with their credentials to the Fort Myers Mural Society. For a copy of the Mural Society’s Call to Artists click
HERE.
Contact Shari Shifrin for direct guidance on how to respond to the call for artist.
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River District Farmers Market
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A great place to shop is the
River District Farmers Market
, which is held on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Downtown redevelopment area. It is the oldest farmers market in Lee County. Originally named the Downtown Farmers Market, the CRA organized this year-round market in 1994 to provide convenient and inexpensive market facilities for area vendors to sell their products directly to customers at reasonable prices. This winter, it has temporarily moved to Broadway between Main and Second streets. Mingle with local vendors as the whole community turns up to shop!
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Southwest Florida Enterprise Center
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What:
Southwest Florida Enterprise Center's Business to Business
Networking Luncheon
Who:
Southwest Florida businesses are invited to this light luncheon
with a presentation by an informative business speaker and
networking opportunities
When:
Third Wednesday of the Month, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where:
Southwest Florida Enterprise Center
3903 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Cost:
Event is FREE but you must register to attend
Questions:
239-321-7085
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The City of Fort Myers has established a complete count committee (CCC)
for the upcoming 2020 Census. The CCC works to raise awareness and encourage participation in the census, and is led by Ms. Geri Ware, who is assisted in the effort by Ms. Patricia Sala, along with representatives of city government, local faith-based organizations, and nonprofit leaders.
Counting ever person living the United States, and for our community is a massive undertaking, and efforts begins years in advance. Here's a look at some of the key dates along the way:
March 12 - 20
:
Households will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond.
March 30 - April 1
: The Census Bureau will count people who are experiencing homelessness over these three days.
April 1
: Census Day is observed nationwide.
April:
Census takers will begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers also begin conducting quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate count.
April 8-16
: Reminder letters and paper questionnaires will be delivered to remaining households that have not responded.
April 20-27
: Final reminder postcards will be delivered to households that have not yet responded before census takers follow up in person.
May - July
: Census takers will begin visiting homes that haven't responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted.
December: The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.
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