Press Releases & Newsletters

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Collaboratory passes quarterly Community Night Market on to CRA

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Collaboratory passes quarterly Community Night Market on to CRA First event at new host site – McCollum Hall – will take place November 15   FORT MYERS, Fla. (DATE, 2024) – “Alone we can do so…

CRA Takes Major Step Toward Closing Junkyard in Dr. MLK Redevelopment Area

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CRA Takes Major Step Toward Closing Junkyard in Dr. MLK Redevelopment Area FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 25, 2024) –The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has taken a significant step toward revitalizing the Dr. MLK Redevelopment…

CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for Cleveland September 25 2024

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for Cleveland Ave. properties FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 25, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved two Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grants for the Cleveland…

CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for Downtown CRA properties September 25 2024

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for downtown    FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept 25, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved five Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grants for the Downtown…
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City of Fort Myers Ward 1 Councilmember and Fort Myers CRA Board of Commissions Chair, Teresa Watkins Brown Appointed to Serve on Florida League of Cities Legislative Committee

City of Fort Myers Ward 1 Councilmember Teresa Watkins Brown Appointed to Serve on Florida League of Cities Legislative Committee Watkins Brown appointed to Utilities, Natural Resources and Public Works Committee FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 11, 2024) – The Florida League of Cities, the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, announced that City of Fort…
Lance Allan Club Care Contribution Journey of Hope

A Beacon of Hope: Club Care’s Generous Gift

A Beacon of Hope: Club Care’s Generous Gift A local organization has made a significant contribution to the beautification of a beloved public art installation. Lance Allen of Club Care has generously donated $3,355.00 to enhance the landscaping surrounding the “Journey of Hope” sculpture located at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard…

CRA approves commercial property improvement grants Downtown September 2024

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for downtown   FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept 11, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved two Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grants for the Downtown Redevelopment…

CRA approves commercial property improvement grants September 2024

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   CRA approves commercial property improvement grant for Cleveland Ave. property FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 11, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved a Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant for the Cleveland…
Deb Gillen CRA donation 07312024

CRA receives donation for “Common Ground”, Fort Myers’s first-ever pocket park

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   Fort Myers resident’s donation increases CRA annual budget Debora Gillen donates $431,732 for Common Ground Pocket Park FORT MYERS, Fla. (DATE, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently accepted a resolution amending…

CRA approves commercial property improvement grants June 2024

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   CRA approves commercial property improvement grants   FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 25, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved two Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grants. The first grant was approved for…
White Coral

CRA approves Habitat for Humanity to develop new affordable housing community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   CRA approves Habitat for Humanity to develop new affordable housing community White Coral homeownership project will provide 26 single family homes FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 25, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Selection Committee recommended their choice and gained approval for the developer of 26-single family homes at…

CRA approves increment rebate to Cedar River at Fort Myers II

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CRA approves increment rebate to Cedar River at Fort Myers II FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2024) –The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has awarded a tax increment rebate to Cedar River at Fort Myers II in the not to exceed amount of $10,060.00. More information can be found on the…

CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for Cleveland Avenue Properties May 2024

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for Cleveland Ave. properties FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 22, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved two Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grants for the Cleveland…

CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for downtown May 2024

  Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for downtown   FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 22, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved two Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grants for the Downtown…

CRA approves improvement matching grant in MLK corridor

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CRA approves improvement matching grant in MLK corridor FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 22, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved a Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant for the MLK Redevelopment Area. The…

CRA approves commercial property improvement grant for White Rose Holdings LLC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CRA approves commercial property improvement grant for White Rose Holdings LLC FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved a Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant in the not-to- exceed amount of $200,000.00 for the White Rose Holdings LLC property located at 2149 First St.…

CRA approves agreement with Edison Universe Solutions LLC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   CRA approves agreement with Edison Universe Solutions LLC Ft. Myers Walk of Innovation to be created FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved a service provider agreement between the CRA and Edison Universe Solutions LLC to develop the Ft. Myers Walk of…

CRA approves increment rebate to JAXI CMD LLC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CRA approves increment rebate to JAXI CMD LLC FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2024) –The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has awarded a tax increment rebate to JAXI CMD LLC for The Royal Palm Hotel & Residences located at 2424 Edwards Drive in the not to exceed amount of $30,170,000. The…

CRA to acquire 2200 Jaylen Watkins St. for $700,000 for low/moderate housing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  CRA to acquire 2200 Jaylen Watkins St. for $700,000 for low/moderate housing FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved the acquisition of 11.24 acres of vacant land at 2200 Jaylen Watkins St. for $700,000 to be used for 26 units of low/moderate income…

CRA approves improvement matching grants for local businesses in MLK corridor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  CRA approves improvement matching grants for local businesses in MLK corridor  FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved two Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grants for the MLK Redevelopment Area. The first is for Ryan Van Horn, VH2 Properties LLC., located at 2269 Palm…

CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for Cleveland Ave. properties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for Cleveland Ave. properties FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grants for the Cleveland Avenue redevelopment area.  The first grant was awarded to Garvin Properties LLC property located at 4280 Cleveland Ave.…

CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for downtown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  CRA approves commercial property improvement grants for downtown FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2024) – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved two Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grants for the Downtown Redevelopment Area. In December, the CRA had announced that due to a high volume of applications, the 2023/24 funding…

CRA approves increment rebate to Alessio Development

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2023) –The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has awarded a tax increment rebate to Alessio Development FL, LLC in the not-to-exceed amount of $11,739,161.00 to develop 2501 Alessio Drive in Ft. Myers. The proposed project is located in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area and consists…

CRA approves extension for McCollum Hall

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2023) –The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved a six-month extension on the commencement of the renovations of McCollum Hall. The CRA Board of Commissioners (BOC) granted the developer, G C McCollum, LLC, a requested six-month extension to commence construction as they seek approval from the City of…

CRA approves improvement matching grants for local businesses Voodoo Brewing & Yurstore, Inc

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2023) –The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved funding for two downtown businesses as part of their improvement matching grants. Voodoo Brewing, founded in 2005 in Meadville, PA and known for their award-winning craft beers, has now expanded to multiple taprooms across the country including Fort Myers. Located…

CRA approves improvement matching grants for local businesses

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2023) –The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved funding for two downtown businesses as part of their improvement matching grants. Voodoo Brewing, founded in 2005 in Meadville, PA and known for their award-winning craft beers, has now expanded to multiple taprooms across the country including Fort Myers. Located…

CRA approves increment rebate to Alessio Development

FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 27, 2023) –The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has awarded a tax increment rebate to Alessio Development FL, LLC in the not-to-exceed amount of $11,405,347.76 to develop 2501 Alessio Drive in Ft. Myers. The proposed project is located in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. redevelopment area and consists…

CRA approves extension for McCollum Hall

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2023) –The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved a six-month extension on the commencement of the renovations of McCollum Hall. The CRA Board of Commissioners (BOC) granted the developer, G C McCollum, LLC, a requested six-month extension to commence construction as they seek approval from the City of…

CRA approves improvement matching grant for accounting firm

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CRA approves improvement matching grant for accounting firm FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 23, 2023) –The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved funding Dylan Hissam & Associates, a full-service accounting firm, located at 1937 Grace…
Exciting Changes to Our Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant Application

Exciting Changes to Our Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant Application

Commercial Property Improvement Grant Application Hello Fort Myers Community! We are thrilled to share some noteworthy updates about our Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant Application. The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has made important amendments to streamline the process and make it even more accessible to our community members. One key update is the shift from…
Introducing Our Updated Tax Increment Rebate Program Application

Introducing Our Updated Tax Increment Rebate Program Application

Tax Increment Rebate Program We have some exciting news to share with our developer community for the City of Fort Myers. As part of our ongoing commitment to improving service delivery and enhancing our engagement with the developer community, we are thrilled to announce updates to our Tax Increment Rebate Program Application. The Community Redevelopment…

CRA approves matching grant for downtown warehouse

Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   CRA approves matching grant for downtown warehouse FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 26, 2023) –The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved funding for Jay Seidl, owner of The Naples International Film Company Warehouse, to…
Pocket Park Lease Negotiation

Pocket Park Lease Negotiation

At their July 27 regular meeting, the CRA Board of Commissioners approved staff moving forward with negotiations to create a pocket park at 2208 First Street with the owner, AMA First Capital LLC. The property had been home to one of the Downtown’s oldest buildings, which was demolished several years ago. Since the owner has…
Downtown Planter Project Expanded to River Basin

Downtown Planter Project Expanded to River Basin

Commissioners have a approved the addition of decorative planters around the City’s River Basin on Hendry Street and Edwards Drive. Local resident Debra Gillen has generously provided funding for this extension to the planter box project she funded along First Street.  The First Street planters have brought an added dimension to the historic brick-lined downtown. When the…
Business Spotlight: DanaTyler Home

Business Spotlight: DanaTyler Home

DanaTyler Home is located at 2279 First Street in the Downtown redevelopment area. They opened May 3, 2022, and offer home décor and furniture, complimentary in-home styling, and color consulting. The owner is Dana Klein and the Fort Myers Store Manager is Rani Florack. The company chose to convert from DanaTyler Jewelry to DanaTyler Home because…
Business Spotlight: Aquarium and Reef Center

Business Spotlight: Aquarium and Reef Center

Aquarium and Reef Center is located at 1920 Boy Scout Drive in the Cleveland Avenue redevelopment area (across from Page Field). They are a marine and freshwater aquarium shop that carries a complete line of aquarium products. Aquarium and Reef Center has been serving Southwest Florida for over 15 years. In addition to their Fort Myers…

St. Peter Claver affordable apartment project breaks ground

St. Peter Claver affordable apartment project breaks ground. We embarked on an exciting new journey at the groundbreaking ceremony for St. Peter Claver Place Apartments. This affordable housing development is a testament to our commitment to revitalizing Fort Myers and enhancing the community. The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency pledged $4.5 million in tax incentive…