We learned that the video links for the Luminary Hotel videos were not working correctly. This issue has been corrected and we are resending the Project Updates Newsletter.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
|
|
Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency |
|
Since 1984 the CRA has been at the forefront of local redevelopment efforts occurring in the most blighted areas and spaces in the City of Palms.
We have prepared this monthly project update newsletter to keep you better informed and engaged about the work of your Fort Myers CRA.
|
|
For questions or information about
these and other CRA-supported projects
call us at (239) 321-7100, or
|
|
St. Peter Claver Place Apartments |
|
CRA-supported Affordable Housing Project in Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area to add 16 units with $500,000 TIF Rebate Increase
"This development will provide much-needed work force housing for those who work in and around the City."
--Fred Burson, Chair, Fort Myers CRA Board of Commissioners
St. Peter Claver Place Apartments will be adding 16 more units to the affordable housing apartment complex and has been approved for a $500,000 increase of their CRA Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Rebate. The apartment project will now offer 136 units
Located in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area, the complex will provide one, two and three bedroom apartments to residents as well as a community building. This project will help alleviate the current deficit of housing in Fort Myers redevelopment areas.
|
|
Above: Link to Luminary Hotel Construction Progress Presentation courtesy of Luminary Hotel & Co/Mainsail Lodging & Development. |
|
Almost Finished! Luminary Hotel & Caloosa Sound to Open in September, Employed 75 Local Staff
"We hired about 75 people locally - on that day [of the job fair], we hired 50, so we hired a few after the fact. I'm happy to say that about 75% have a Fort Myers address.
The plus side of the pandemic was that we were not short of qualified candidates, and overqualified candidates. A lot of good people out of work were hired."
-Bob Megazzini, General Manager, Luminary Hotel & Co
The Luminary Hotel & Co and Caloosa Sound Convention Center will both be opening in mid-September! The hotel is set to open on September 17, and Caloosa Sound will make its debut the following weekend on Saturday, September 19, by hosting Expo Management Inc.’s 2020 Semi-Annual Home & Garden Show. The show will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A very successful job fair was held on August 6 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC) to fill a number of available positions:
- Front desk workers
- Housekeepers
- Servers for the rooftop bar and restaurants
- Chefs
- Engineers
General Manager Bob Megazzini and his staff were inundated by applicants the entire time of the event, from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. His original plan was to hire 230 people from the City of Fort Myers, but due to the hotel opening during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people needed to run the hotel, convention center, and restaurants at this time dropped to 105 job openings, which included managers who were already employed with the hotel. As a result of the job fair, a total of 75 qualified candidates were hired, of whom 75% were residents of Fort Myers.
Luminary Hotel & Co. will be 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 will also offer more than 8,000 square feet of function space and will be connected to the neighboring Caloosa Sound Convention Center, formerly known as Harborside Event Center.
|
|
Far Above: Caloosa Sound Convention Center Construction video from August 6, 2020
(Courtesy of Jerry Miller).
Above: Ground level view of Luminary Hotel and Caloosa Sound Convention Center along Edwards Drive (Courtesy of Luminary Hotel & Co/Mainsail Lodging & Development LLC).
|
|
Edwards Drive Streetscape |
|
Edwards Drive Streetscape. |
|
Edwards Drive Receives Streetscape Treatment
"The riverfront drive will be enhanced as a complement to the new Luminary Hotel & Co and Caloosa Sound Convention Center projects."
Edwards Drive, which is downtown's closest street to the Caloosahatchee River, will be brought to the same standard of streetscape design as other parts of Fort Myers' historic center.
The CRA will redirect previously approved streetscape funding to complete Edwards Drive enhancement, which will include brick pavers, decorative light pole and fixtures.
The CRA will provide $284,113.00 to pay for the work. Funding will derive from the balance of $214,441.55 remaining from a previous Downtown streetscape loan commitment by the CRA, combined with $69,671.45 in funding from the CRA's Repair and Maintenance current budget.
|
|
Recent West End at City Walk construction video (August 4, courtesy of NPS Consulting LLC). |
|
City Walk Construction Moving Forward
"Leasing for the first building begins this year, in early December!"
West End at City Walk is really taking shape! The first building, on the western side of the property, has the 4-story structural concrete in place. Between it and the second building, the concrete roof is being installed. On the second building, the second and third stories have been added.
Watch the video above for an exciting bird's eye view of construction underway.
West End at City Walk will be a 318-unit residential apartment complex with retail and Class A office space. It broke ground in 2019 and is planned for completion in 2021. Leasing for the first building will begin in early December 2020.
|
|
Rendering of the completed West End at City Walk apartment complex. |
|
Rendering of Prima Luce along the Caloosahatchee River. |
|
Prima Luce Construction Timeline Extended One Year
"The project has commenced construction and expended significant sums in moving the project forward."
-E. Bruce Strayhorn, Strayhorn & Persons Attorneys at Law representing Prima Luce LLC
At its August 26 regular meeting, the CRA Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to the project's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) rebate agreement, extending Prima Luce's time-frame to complete construction by one year. The project has begun construction and site work has been completed, and foundation and vertical construction will begin shortly. Prima Luce has experienced unforeseen hardships and delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, however, that have slowed the rate of building. The new anticipated completion date is December 31, 2022.
Prima Luce is a two-tower, 22-story residential real estate development slated to be built on the First Street waterfront between Cranford and Evans avenues. It will contribute 176 new residences to the Downtown redevelopment area.
|
|
Rendering of Vantage Lofts. |
|
Vantage Lofts Project Schedule Extended Two Years
"Changes to FEMA flood maps, causing design changes, has delayed the project schedule."
-E. Bruce Strayhorn, Strayhorn & Persons Attorneys at Law representing Vantage Ft. Myers LLC
Vantage Lofts, a downtown residential project, has been approved for a two-year extension to the project's schedule by the CRA's Board of Commissioners.
FEMA flood map revisions, causing design changes, as well as COVID-19 pandemic delays, have slowed progress on the project. The new permit application deadline will be July 31, 2022, construction commencement by July 31, 2023, and anticipated completion date is January 31, 2025.
Vantage Lofts is a sixteen-story, 314,000 square foot multi-use apartment and retail development in the Downtown redevelopment area. In 2019, this project was approved for a TIF rebate of $11.4 million.
|
|
Silver Hills at Fort Myers |
|
Silver Hills at Fort Myers pre-construction phase video (August 21, 2020) courtesy of Deangelis Diamond and Eagle Eyes UAS Drone Services |
|
Silver Hills Foundational Concrete Work in Progress
"Site work continues to progress on Silver Hills."
Construction on Silver Hills at Fort Myers is moving forward. Concrete foundations continue to be laid on the waterfront site.
View the video for a recent update on the progress being made.
Silver Hills at Fort Myers will be a 327-unit luxury apartment complex. It was approved for a $12.96 million CRA tax increment rebate in 2019.
|
|
Stay connected and learn more about your CRA!
See our 2019 Annual Report or Click the Video Link Below
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
