The Fort Myers Housing Authority has offered to deed the Carrie Robinson Center to the City of Fort Myers and discussed additional property negotiations involving roughly 60 acres west of Billy Bowlegs.

The offer matters because the center is an established community facility with a kitchen, meeting spaces, offices and site infrastructure that could be used for community programming, municipal meetings or as temporary office space for Parks & Recreation while other facilities are addressed; the adjacent 60‑acre parcel could provide larger green space or park connectivity if the city and housing authority reach terms.

Assistant City Manager John Lehi summarized a staff site visit and photo survey. He said the building has a main meeting room with AV/projector and a stage, a functioning kitchen (last operated some time ago but in serviceable condition), offices, a laundry area and newer roof work paid for by the Housing Authority. Staff noted limited on‑site parking but said the nearby Stars Complex could accommodate overflow. Lehi said the building has fiber connectivity and that some mechanical and technology systems remain in place.

Housing Authority representatives said the facility has not been fully operational since the COVID pandemic, that the authority has invested in repairs including a new roof, and that the authority’s board wanted to ensure the building’s long‑term stewardship. The authority asked whether the city would accept the deed; staff indicated they could accept and perform further due diligence, including appraisal and projected annual maintenance costs (which had not been provided at the workshop). Councilmembers suggested several possible future uses — community center, temporary Parks & Recreation office, or a Black Cultural Center — and asked the housing authority and staff for further cost and maintenance details.

Separately, the Housing Authority identified roughly 60 acres it owns west of Billy Bowlegs (four parcels) and said staff would continue negotiating and provide a follow‑up update; the authority said it was considering sale at appraised value and emphasized the land’s potential as green space and park expansion.

Council gave general direction to staff to pursue due diligence, request an appraisal and return with maintenance cost estimates and a formal agenda item for acceptance if appropriate; no final action was taken at the workshop.