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Fort Myers council commits $4.2 million toward McCollum Hall stabilization amid debate over developer role
Summary
The Fort Myers City Council voted June 2 to commit $4.2 million to pay hard-construction costs to stabilize McCollum Hall, directing staff to work with the CRA to renegotiate developer agreements; the decision followed heated public comment and council debate over procurement and long-term liability.
The Fort Myers City Council voted June 2 to provide $4,200,000 toward the hard construction costs to stabilize McCollum Hall and instructed staff to work with the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to renegotiate the contract with the developer or pursue a new developer.
Councilmember Teresa Watkins Brown moved the measure, saying the city would restrict funds to the building’s hard costs and “work with the CRA to renegotiate the contract” so city money is used only for construction. Supporters in the audience urged the council to act after decades of delay. Q Rafael, speaking for the Southwest Florida Association of Realtors, told the council: “They are asking for the city for a $4,200,000 investment that will pay off and, dividend dividends in pride, progress, and prosperity.” Pastor James C. Givens and other Dunbar residents described McCollum Hall as a historic community gathering place and urged restoration.
Opponents on the dais raised procurement and financial-risk concerns. Councilmember Fred Berson said he had “a serious concern with giving $4,200,000 to a private developer for a private project” and questioned whether the city could be exposed if the project failed or the lease were assigned in a foreclosure. He and others pressed for clarity on whether the CRA or the city should lead funding and whether adding city funds would require reopening the original RFP process. Staff and the city attorney explained options including having the city directly fund building stabilization and then select an operator through procurement procedures.
After extended discussion about legal opinions, procurement rules, and alternatives (including completing the project with city procurement and then choosing an operator by contract), the council approved the motion in roll call (motion carries). Mayor Kevin Anderson clarified that the vote was a commitment to work with the CRA to see the project completed and did not immediately grant the $4.2 million to the current developer.
Next steps noted during the meeting included staff and CRA counsel returning with renegotiated contract language and procurement details; council direction emphasized that funds be limited to hard construction costs and that any long-term arrangement comply with procurement law.
