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 single-family housing.
This acquisition is being made for the purpose of developing housing for families that meet the low/moderate income ranges. The property is located in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Redevelopment Area and the acquisition is in compliance with Section 163.370 (2)(c) 1 Florida Statutes.
“The demand for housing in this redevelopment area has persisted for many years,” said Michele Hylton Terry, executive director of the Fort Myers CRA. “This purchase gives the CRA an opportunity to make a contribution to the pool of homes accessible for low/moderate income families in our community.”
The property is platted for 26-single family homes to be developed in the Dr. MLK redevelopment area on 6.43+/- acres of the site. While the CRA does not seek to be the developer for the site, after the purchase through a Request-for-Qualifications, a suitable developer/partner can be identified to build the 26 single family homes targeted for low/moderate income families.
ABOUT THE FORT MYERS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA)
Since 1984, the CRA has managed redevelopment trusts to revitalize blighted areas in the City of Fort Myers. This reinvestment can take the form of public infrastructure, residential and commercial grant programs, public arts, affordable housing development, safety initiatives and historic preservation.
If left under-resourced, parts of our city risk remaining overlooked, affecting community spirit, and slowing economic growth. This lack of redevelopment doesn’t just impact current residents—it also discourages potential new businesses and families from making our city their home. Imagine a city where every neighborhood is a beacon of growth and community spirit—a place where residents enjoy sustainable, thriving spaces and businesses benefit from a vibrant economic environment. This is the future we’re creating. The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency was created in 1984 by the City of Fort Myers, Florida, under Florida Statute Chapter 163. The Fort Myers City Council members, sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners, oversee the Agency’s programs and policies. The Fort Myers CRA office is located at 1400 Jackson Street in the historical downtown River District.
-30-
Contact: LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications,
Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency: (239) 321-7100
