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Fort Myers council OKs MOU to build African American Cultural Center, city to fund construction
Summary
City council approved a memorandum of understanding with the Lee County Black History Society to build an African American Cultural Center at Clemente Park; the MOU anticipates city-funded construction (estimated roughly $12–13M), a 50-year lease to the society, and the society operating the facility after completion.
The Fort Myers City Council on May 19 approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Lee County Black History Society to advance the development of an African American Cultural Center at Clemente Park.
Assistant City Attorney Amanda Browning Richardson described the MOU as an intent document that lays out roles: the city would fund construction, the society would review and approve improvements during design and take responsibility for operating costs once the center opens, and the parties would later enter a detailed lease and operating agreement. "The memorandum sets forth a bit of the history between the city and the Lee County Black History Society, and then sets forth the roles of both of the parties going forward and the construction of the cultural center," Browning Richardson said.
City staff estimated the project's capital cost at about $12.8 million in council discussion; Finance Director Chris Tenney told the council that the city's current five-year CIP includes an amount around $12,000,008 but that a formal design is needed to firm up costs. Tenney said there is no identified funding source yet and that the city would likely need to borrow for construction. "Right now there's no identified funding for that. The city would have to borrow funds, to make that project happen," Tenney said.
Councilmembers pressed for more detail on governance and accountability. One council member asked how disputes over design approvals would be resolved; city attorneys said the MOU is a stepping stone and that dispute-resolution specifics would be set in a later binding contract. Several public speakers and councilmembers urged swift action, citing the Dunbar neighborhood's historic needs and related neighborhood investments. "This is going to happen. It's been a long time," one councilmember said in support.
The MOU anticipates the city funding construction and the Lee County Black History Society entering into a 50-year lease to operate the facility upon completion. Council approved the MOU by voice vote after discussion; the motion passed.
