Video courtesy of WINK News
NEW FORT MYERS POLICE STATION PUSHED BACK BY PRICE TAG, COUNCIL DEBATE
Fort Myers was prepared to build a much-needed new police station, but multiple factors—a new mayor, a new city council, a pandemic and, most of all, the price—have led to talk of scrapping that plan. The Fort Myers Police Department demonstrates an urgent need for a new location, which was supposed to be in the former headquarters of the News-Press building at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Fowler Street. New plans would have completely transformed the building, but the cost of renovating it went from about $34 million to more than $80 million. Councilmember Teresa Watkins Brown says the city needs to move ahead with the old News-Press site but thinks some of the money could possibly be made up in the future by moving City Hall to the same place and selling off the current City Hall, an idea Councilmember Liston Bouchette also brought up. Councilmember Fred Burson says he will have a hard time voting for the additional cost, but he might be persuaded, WINK News reports.
IBERIABANK DONATES OFFICE SPACE TO GREATER NAPLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
IberiaBank, a division of First Horizon Bank, the banking subsidiary of First Horizon Corp., donated 2,690 square feet of Class A office space to the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce in a four-year agreement. Reconfigured specifically for the Chamber, the offices are located within the IberiaBank Corporate Center at 2150 Goodlette-Frank Road N. in Naples. “We’ve had a longstanding relationship with the Chamber because we believe in their mission to cultivate economic opportunity for all. The central location of our office space will provide convenient access for Chamber staff to meet with community business leaders, donors and volunteers,” says David Gordley, Naples market president for IberiaBank, which has been a supporter of the Chamber since the bank’s entrance into the Naples market in 2009. Founded in 1947, the Greater Naples Chamber is the largest of 25 chambers in the five-county Southwest Florida region.
ONE PLANT REBRANDING ITS MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES
Cresco Labs, a U.S. wholesaler of branded cannabis products, is converting its Bonita Springs One Plant dispensary to its Sunnyside national retail brand, following approval from the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). Effective immediately, eight One Plant locations, including the one in Bonita Springs, have transitioned to Sunnyside. This August, Cresco Labs opened its first full concept Sunnyside in Fort Lauderdale. Additional locations are planned to open this year. Sunnyside Bonita Springs serves patients with a medical card issued by the state of Florida. Patients have the option to shop in-store, pre-order online, or utilize next-day delivery.
MIDTOWN FORT MYERS DEVELOPMENT PROGRESSES, BREAKING GROUND DECEMBER 2022
Randy Krise, owner and broker of Krise Commercial Group LLC, is progressing on a multi-family, innovative lifestyle development as part of the midtown Fort Myers project near the downtown River District. Called Aldea, the 5.7-acre development with an urban-like design will be breaking ground in December 2022. This project moved forward with the unanimous approval by City of Fort Myers Planning and Zoning to grant all necessary zoning changes and the vacation of Royal Palm Avenue. Inspired by the midtown Fort Myers Integrated Redevelopment Plan vision, Aldea will occupy the city block bordering Fowler Street, Market Street and Central Avenue with two separate residential buildings that look inward to multi-functional courtyard spaces. The 305 unit multifamily smart and connected community features a mix of studio, one- and two- bedroom designs. Along with amenities, the project will have 30,000 square feet of commercial/retail space and a 540-space parking garage. Aldea, estimated to cost approximately $65 million, is expecting occupancy for fall of 2024. The team working with Krise includes Dean Martin with TDM Engineering; Ron Reitz with Studio 4 Architecture; Deangelis Diamond; and Maxwell, Hendry & Simmons.
COLLIER COUNTY ENHANCES EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Collier County commissioners Tuesday approved additional program modifications to expedite the administration of Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA). The new program modifications were issued by the U.S. Treasury Department to align state and local governments and encourage rapid response to those income-qualified, Collier residents in need of rental assistance. The improved enhancements to the ERA program include streamlining documentation requirements, credit recovery assistance for COVID-19 impacted tenants that have been evicted, new eligibility for homestead residences with separate living quarters and improved processing. Collier County Community and Human Services is offering in-person assistance 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Oct. 19 and 21 at the River Park Community Center, 301 11th St. N., Naples. Applications for assistance also can be submitted at CollierCountyHousing.com.
JOHN R. WOOD CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE PLANNED TODAY
A celebration of life for John R. Wood, the founder of Naples-based John R. Wood Properties, will be at 5 p.m. today at North Naples Church, 6000 Goodlette-Frank Road. The family asks that all attendees wear a face mask. Because of the pandemic, a reception will not be held. Wood died Aug. 4, six weeks before his 92nd birthday. In lieu of flowers, donations in Wood’s memory may be made to St. Matthew’s House, Collier County Junior Deputies or the First United Methodist Church of Naples.
THE CONTINENTAL RESUMES LUNCH SERVICE IN DOWNTOWN NAPLES
D’Amico & Partners will resume lunch service today at The Continental after a temporary closure. Lunch service was discontinued in mid-March 2020 because of COVID-19 and staffing issues. The upscale restaurant on Third Street South in downtown Naples will be open for lunch 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily with an updated menu that includes an American Spa section created to provide healthy dishes with fewer than 750 calories each. Other sections will include the option to enhance dishes with Caviar & Truffles, and an American Luxe category featuring decadent sandwiches.
TURNING POINT CHURCH HOSTING JOB AND RESOURCES FAIR TODAY
Turning Point Church and Better Together are partnering to host a community job and resources fair today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Turning Point Church in Bonita Springs. The church-based job fair goes beyond connecting job seekers with local employers who are ready to hire. It also provides resources such as free one-on-one job coaching sessions to review resumes and interviewing skills, haircuts for a professional look and gift card giveaways.
VANTAGE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES EMBARKS ON NEW PROJECTS
Vantage Construction Services LLC has been selected as the general contractor for two projects: an 8,334-square-foot building that will offer a studio salon suite rental in Port Charlotte and phase one for a 2.44-acre new community park in Fort Myers. Located in the Forum neighborhood, the park will feature an outdoor fitness court, shade structure picnic areas, open spaces, 8-foot concrete sidewalks and 25-foot upland buffer to protect the existing conservation area. The anticipated completion date is early 2022. The new building for Charlotte Salon & Spa Suites at 19669 Cochran Blvd., Port Charlotte, will offer approximately 40 individual 10-foot-by-12-foot suites, restrooms, a utility room, a break room and a waiting room.
MID-CAPE FARMER’S MARKET TO OPEN IN CAPE CORAL
Beginning Nov. 7, Mercola Market & Café of Cape Coral will host the new Mid-Cape Farmer’s Market every Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors will offer locally sourced produce, cheese, seafood, prepared foods, baked goods, native plants, all-natural products and gifts, artwork and more. The event will be held under the solar canopy at Mercola Market. The Mid-Cape Farmer’s Market will be open every Sunday through spring 2022. The Mercola Market & Café of Cape Coral is a new retail store that exclusively features Dr. Mercola branded products for your health, home, pantry and pet.
Jane Gray
NCEF APPOINTS NEW GRANTS COORDINATOR
The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, has appointed Jane Gray as its new grants coordinator. In this role, Gray will assist the NCEF grants director and grants committee by administering all components of grants processing, including the structure of grants, regulatory compliance and sharing of information with relevant parties. She also will work with the grants director and strategic initiative partners to identify ongoing support of NCEF’s strategic initiatives. Gray graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida in 2020 with degrees in both political science and economics as well as a certificate in international relations. While attending college, she was very involved with the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, participating in multiple programs such as the Graham Center Student Fellows and Graham Civic Scholars. Gray also served as editor-in-chief of Florida’s student political journal, the Florida Political Review, during her senior year. After graduation, she gained additional experience by working as an infant teacher at Bestday Care Children Center in Estero.
Robin Cook
COOK RECEIVES CTFA DESIGNATION
The Sanibel Captiva Trust Co. Executive Vice President and Wealth Services Advisor Robin L. Cook has received her Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) designation. The professional designation is offered through the American Bankers Association, which provides training and knowledge in taxes, investments, financial planning, trusts and estates. Cook joined The Sanibel Captiva Trust Co.’s wealth services team in 2013 to cultivate new business relationships and assist clients in refining their investment and estate planning strategies to meet the lifestyle needs of them and their families. Among her many accomplishments, Cook has earned her Certified Wealth Strategist designation and is a graduate of The Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida and Leadership Cape Coral. Cook is currently a member of the Sanibel Captiva Rotary and The Sanibel Captiva Business Women’s Association.
DECEMBER SPECIAL SECTION: RISING STARS
The December 2021 issue of Gulfshore Business will include our annual Rising Stars in Law special advertising section. Don’t miss this special opportunity to spotlight your Southwest Florida law firm’s best young attorneys to the 40,000-plus monthly readers of Gulfshore Business! For advertising inquiries, please contact Associate Publisher Chris Renstrom at 239-498-8517 or chris.renstrom@gulfshorebusiness.com.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Junior Achievement of SWFL receives grant from Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida has received a $30,000 Workforce Development grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation to help further its work and career readiness programs for middle and high school students throughout Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partners with schools, businesses and volunteers to provide beneficial and interactive programs that address community issues, such as workforce readiness, skill gaps, college readiness and more. During the 2020-2021 school year, the organization provided nearly 126,000 hours of instruction to nearly 13,900 students in 576 classes throughout Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties.
Brenda Tate, CEO of Earn to Learn FL
Earn to Learn FL raising $420,000 match for Near Peer Coaching Program
Earn to Learn Florida (ETLF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to empower income-challenged students to complete college, has launched a campaign to raise $420,000 locally to match federal funding from AmeriCorps, in partnership with Volunteer Florida. ETLF is asking community members to sponsor a Near Peer Coach by contributing matching funds to leverage the federal grant of $648,000 for a total budget of $1 million. The funding will allow 72 AmeriCorps members to be deployed as Near Peer Coaches for Postsecondary Success to serve 900 hours each during the program year through July 31, 2022. More than 720 students will receive Near Peer Coaching. Local matching fund partners include United Way Suncoast, Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties, Comerica Charitable Foundation and Regions Bank.
Video courtesy of WINK News
Minor League baseball players help build homes for Habitat for Humanity
Professional baseball players are giving back to the Southwest Florida community. On Tuesday, more than 50 Minor League Baseball players in the Boston Red Sox organization helped build six Habitat for Humanity homes in Heritage Heights. Habitat for Humanity hopes to have at least 14 families settled into homes there by Christmas. It will take about four to five years to complete 150 homes in the community, WINK News reports.
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