Fort Myers is one step closer to reaching its high-tech aspirations.
And officials are moving fast to help transform the historic railroad depot into a regional technology hub in the heart of the city.
During a special meeting on Monday afternoon, the city council voted 5-0 to approve a 40-year lease with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, a $1 million funding agreement for improvements to the depot and a $2.5 million public improvement agreement for streetscaping and utility upgrades. Council members Forrest Banks and Teresa Watkins-Brown were absent.
This action stems from the Community Foundation’s proposal to rehabilitate the former railroad depot on Jackson Street — once known as the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot — as well as construct a 10,000 square-foot, two-story building next door, which will house the technology center.
“This kind of deal takes years to get done,” City Manager Saeed Kazemi said. “But this project (has been in the works) for a month. … They (the Community Foundation and city staff) were working day and night to get this thing done.”
The restored train station will serve as the Community Foundation’s new corporate office, and the technology hub will provide affordable office space for tenants, according to documents prepared by the city.
But that’s not all. Students, residents and business owners from surrounding communities can all benefit, said Sarah Owen, CEO of the Community Foundation.
“This is the first investment in that area,” Kazemi said, “and the return to us (the city) and to them (the Community Foundation) is unlimited.”
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