The latest redevelopment (REDEV) news for you!

McCollum Hall:
New Developer Goshen + Cornerstone, LLC Selected

At the June 22, 2022 Board of Commissioners meeting, the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) reviewed new proposals for McCollum Hall and approved a new developer for the restoration, purchase or lease and management of the McCollum Hall property located at 2717 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fort Myers.

After reviewing proposals by potential developers, CRA Board members voted to approve Goshen + Cornerstone, LLC as the new developer for McCollum Hall.

Goshen + Cornerstone, LLC’s proposal includes developing a 26-unit multi-family community and 14,200 of commercial retail space at the existing McCollum Hall structure and adjacent parcels. The retail space will be used as a market/food hall.

Developers Miles Alexander III and Leonard Burke are looking to purchase the parcels from the City of Fort Myers in the amount of $88,660. They also plan to acquire the privately owned vacant lots immediately west of the McCollum Hall site. They currently have site control of the privately owned lots adjacent to McCollum Hall

“Goshen + Cornerstone, LLC’s proposal takes into consideration all of the conceptual and planning work undertaken by the Ft. Myers MLK CRA Revitalization plan, the City of Fort Myers, CRA and our consultants over the past couple of years,” said Executive Director, Fort Myers CRA, Michele Hylton-Terry, who has worked to restore McCollum Hall since 2007. “Their vision aligns well with the desired outcomes of the CRA and the City, with the goal of building a well-designed community activator project that lends itself to the character and fabric being woven by all of the CRA.”

According to Goshen + Cornerstone, LLC, multi-family and commercial space will be designed to meet the needs of the current housing and commercial market, as well as the anticipated target market.

“We envision a collaborative design process, where the CRA, City and other stakeholders can participate and provide input in the selection of material, colors, and other design elements,” said Miles Alexander III, Developer, Goshen + Cornerstone, LLC. “Our approach always includes highest and best use, to maximize market trends and minimize public resources.”

The request was for restoration of the historic building for a neighborhood commercial center with entertainment, retail, and dining establishments, or an alternative use consistent with the current Commercial Intensive (CI) zoning, or an alternative use acceptable to the CRA. The proposed redevelopment shall incorporate sound principles of urban in-fill, smart growth development and a sustainable redevelopment in planning, design, and construction.

Constructed in 1938 by Clifford McCollum, Sr., McCollum Hall was a commercial center in the Dunbar Community. The second story held a large dance hall with a raised stage for live performances by Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and others. It was a centerpiece of commerce, music and entertainment that attracted some big-name performers in its prime, one of the few places both Blacks and Whites went for entertainment during segregation.

Contact:
Fort Myers CRA
[email protected]
239-321-7100