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Fort Myers council approves Dean Park hazard mitigation agreement; homeowners to cover 25% of construction costs
Summary
The council authorized acceptance of an FDEM subrecipient agreement for the Dean Park residential elevation project under HMGP; staff said the agreement funds 75% of design costs while homeowners must cover the remaining 25%; exact homeowner costs will be determined later.
The Fort Myers City Council on June 15 authorized the mayor and city manager to accept a subrecipient agreement with the Florida Division of Emergency Management for the Dean Park residential elevation project under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
Director of Grants Jessica McAvoy told the council the agreement covers 75 percent of the federal share for the portion of work before the council, and that this portion is solely for design. She said the remaining 25 percent of project costs would be the homeowners’ responsibility and that staff will develop more concrete cost estimates to present to residents as the project moves forward.
Resident Gary Eck, who lives in the Dean Park Historic District, addressed the council during public comment and urged approval of Resolution 2026-46. Eck said Hurricane Ian (2022) and more recent storms have caused significant damage in the neighborhood and stressed that the program will help property owners elevate historic homes out of flood-prone areas.
Councilmembers moved and seconded the motion and, after brief questions about the funding mechanics, carried the measure with no recorded opposition on the dais. McAvoy emphasized that the current agreement covers design work only; staff said it will return with refined cost estimates and homeowner-level impacts before construction funding commitments are finalized.
What happens next: staff will obtain detailed construction estimates and present those figures to residents; homeowners will be informed of their estimated 25 percent share and any available financing or assistance programs. The resolution authorizes the city to accept the HMGP subrecipient agreement but does not commit the city to covering homeowners’ required shares.
