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Sydney & Vernon Davis Art Center pleads for exterior repairs; city staff to explore grants
Summary
The art center told council its 1933 historic building needs immediate exterior restoration — coral‑rock façade repair, rusted windows and flood mitigation. The nonprofit and staff cited a Division of Historic Resources grant application and possible CRA funds while noting total repair needs exceed available grants.
Devin Parker, executive director of the Sydney and Vernon Davis Art Center, described extensive exterior deferred maintenance at the historic former post office that houses the center: coral‑rock veneer spalling, rusted window frames, stucco cracks, basement flooding during recent hurricanes, and failing exterior lighting.
"The City of Fort Myers purchased it for $185,000," Parker said, recounting the building's history and the nonprofit's 99‑year lease to rehabilitate and operate the center. He urged prompt action to secure loose stone, repoint stucco and address flood‑vulnerable doors and windows to avoid further structural deterioration.
Staff and council discussed funding options. Parker said the center applied for a $1,000,000 Division of Historic Resources grant and could leverage a proposed $200,000 CRA property‑improvement grant. One councilmember estimated total repair costs could reach roughly $2.53 million, and staff said they would pursue grants and phased capital planning and return with recommendations.
