CRA ADVISORY BOARD

MINUTES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY BOARD MAY 7,2025

CALL TO ORDER

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Board of the City of Fort Myers, Florida, met in regular session at Oscar M. Corbin Jr. City Hall, 2200 Second Street, in Council Chambers its regular meeting place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Present were Jarrett Eady Chairperson, Geraldine Ware, C. Joe Coleman, Blake Bartholomew, Rachel Smith, and Mike Doyle Board Members. Also present was Dr. Mellone F. Long, Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency.

Absent: James Holloway, Vice-Chair and Michele Hylton-Terry, Executive Director. Attended via Zoom: Attorney Ryan Knight.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairperson Eady.

1. PROCLAMATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

1.1 MS. RACHEL SMITH WAS REAPPOINTED TO SERVE ON THE FORT MYERS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) ADVISORY BOARD FOR A THREE- YEAR TERM EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2028 - THE OATH OF OFFICE WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CRA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, Deputy Director of Communications administered the Oath of Office to reappoint Rachel Smith to the Advisory Board, for a three year term effective January 1,2025 through December 31,2028.

PUBLIC INPUT - AGENDA ITEM(S)

Speakers that wish to speak must submit a Request to Speak Form to the CRA Clerk prior to the beginning of the meeting for items on the Agenda. Public comments are limited to three (3) minutes per person. Public input on non-agenda items will appear at the end of the meeting.

3. REGULAR AGENDA

2.1 MINUTES OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD APRIL 9,2025.

Joe Barbee, a Fort Myers resident spoke on Item 3.1.

3.1 ORDINANCE NO. 4044 FOR THE CLEVELAND AVENUE REDEVELOPMENT AREA UPDATE AND EXPANSION.

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Dr. Mellone Long, Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), stated that this redevelopment plan had been in the works for the last couple of years and was guided by Brindley Pieters and Associates. Dr. Long stated that consultants Kishon Greer and Katherine Schaefer were available on Zoom to answer any questions.

Ryan Knight, Esq., Shepard, Smith, Hand, & Brackins, P.A., counsel representing the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), read the title of Ordinance No. 4044 into the record.

Dr. Long stated that the consultants and CRA team had met with the community at four different listening sessions. Dr. Long presented the board with a copy of the action items from the master plan. Dr. Long stated that two additional parcels would be added into the redevelopment area. Dr. Long stated the next steps toward the final approval of the plan. Dr. Long stated that Lee County officials were good with the plan, and that the Planning Board found the plan consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Dr. Long stated that the taxing authorities would be notified of the plan updates within the next week, and they would have 30-days to comment. Dr. Long stated that the first steps they would like to take after approval would be to work with the Parks department on trailheads including east/west connectivity, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to lower the speed limit on Cleveland Avenue, and to add more pedestrian safe crossings. Dr. Long stated that lot acquisition was being looked at to help development.

MOTION: It was moved by Mr. Doyle, seconded by Mr. Coleman, and unanimously carried to recommend the Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners approve Ordinance No. 4044.

Mr. Colon stated that the property was located at 2058 Cottage St. and the business on site was the Sunshine State Law Firm. Mr. Colon stated that the owners applied for a Tier I, 75/25 matching grant, with a maximum grant of $50,000. Mr. Colon stated the improvements to be completed and the lowest estimate was $29,460.64 and the 75% match would be $22,095.48. Mr. Colon stated that they scored 38 out of 50 of the grading scale. Mr. Johnson, owner, was available for questions.

3.2 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT MATCHING GRANT REQUEST FROM SUNSHINE STATE LAW FIRM FOR 75% OF ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $22,095.48 (DOWNTOWN).

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MOTION: It was moved by Ms. Ware, seconded by Ms. Smith, and unanimously carried to recommend the Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners approve of a Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant in the not-to-exceed amount of $22,095.48 for Sunshine State Law Firm, property located at 2058 Cottage St., Fort Myers, FL 33901.

3.3 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT MATCHING GRANT REQUEST FROM FOUNTAIN OF GRACE INTERNATIONAL CORP. FOR 75% OF ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $22,334.81 (DOWNTOWN).

Xavier Colon, Redevelopment Manager, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), stated that this was a historical home used solely as a commercial property. Mr. Colon stated that this property was located at 1702/1704 Fowler Street. Mr. Colon stated that the owners were applying for a Tier I, 75/25 matching grant, with a maximum grant of $50,000. Mr. Colon stated that they were applying for stucco replacement and the lowest estimate was $29,779.75 and the 75% match would be $22,334.81. Mr. Colon stated that they scored 30 out of 50 of the grading scale. Mr. Colon stated that they may come back at a later date for more improvements.

MOTION: It was moved by Ms. Smith, seconded by Mr. Doyle, and unanimously carried to recommend the Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners approve of a Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant in the not-to-exceed amount of $22,334.81 for Fountain of Grace International Corp., property located at 1702/1704 Fowler St., Fort Myers, FL 33901.

3.4 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT MATCHING GRANT REQUEST FROM 7091 PINNACLE LLC. FOR 75% OF ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $3,075 (DOWNTOWN).

MOTION: It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Bartholomew, and unanimously carried to recommend the Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners approve of a Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant in the not-to-exceed amount of $3,075.00 for 7091 Pinnacle LLC., property located at 1788 Fowler St., Fort Myers, FL 33901.

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3.5 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT MATCHING GRANT REQUEST FROM 4418 CLEVELAND AVE LLC. FOR 50% OF ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES IN THE NOT-TO- EXCEED AMOUNT OF $53,268.00 (CLEVELAND AVE).

Xavier Colon, Redevelopment Manager, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), stated that this property was located at 4418 Cleveland Avenue and the business was Georgio's Elegant Beauty Supply. Mr. Colon stated that they applied for a Tier II, 50/50 matching grant, with a maximum grant of $200,000. Mr. Colon stated the improvements to be completed and the lowest estimate was $106,626 and the 50% match would be $53,268. Mr. Colon stated that they scored 38 out of 50 of the grading scale.

MOTION: It was moved by Ms. Ware, seconded by Mr. Doyle, and unanimously carried to recommend the Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners approve of a Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant in the not-to-exceed amount of $53,268 for 4418 Cleveland Ave. LLC., property located at 4418 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33901.

3.6

.6 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT MATCHING GRANT REQUEST FROM DRU'S WEST INDIAN ROTI SHOP FOR 75% OF ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $693.75 (CLEVELAND AVE).

Xavier Colon, Redevelopment Manager, Community Redevelopment Agency CRA), stated that the property was located at 2968 Cleveland Avenue and the business was Dru's West Indian Roti Shop. Mr. Colon stated that the owner applied for the Tier I, 75/25 matching grant with a maximum of $50,000. Mr. Colon stated that would be replacing the signage and the lowest estimate was $925.00 and the 75% match would be $693.75. Mr. Colon stated that they scored 38 out of 50 of the grading scale. Mr. Terry Churaman, owner, stated that their food was Indian influenced with a Caribbean flare.

MOTION: I was moved by Mr. Doyle, seconded by Mr. Bartholomew, and unanimously carried to recommend the Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners approve of a Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grant in the not-to-exceed amount of $693.75 for Dru's West Indian Roti Shop, property located at 2968 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33901.

3.7 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT MATCHING GRANT FOR DAK PROPERTY HOLDINGS INC FOR 75% OF ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $32,025 (DOWNTOWN).

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Xavier Colon, Redevelopment Manager, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), stated that this request was an amendment to the originally approved grant application. Mr. Colon stated that the property was located at 1520 Broadway, the Post Office Arcade. Mr. Colon stated that due to architectural changes the building did not get a sufficient stormwater system and they had been getting water intrusion on the exterior of the building. Mr. Colon stated that they needed larger gutters and bigger holes to accommodate more rainwater to flow away from the exterior. Mr. Colon stated that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) did not require approval. Mr. Colon stated that the lowest estimate was $42,700 and the 75% match would be $32,025.