Latimer Crossing opens new era in Fort Myers housing

Latimer Crossing marks the beginning of a new era in affordable housing for the Fort Myers Housing Authority as the agency cut the ribbon Nov. 6 on a project that broke ground three years ago. 

The 92-unit community combines market-rate, workforce and affordable housing. Its completion required the combined efforts of elected officials, city staff, private investors, federal and local funding and the Fort Myers Housing Authority. About half of the units already have been pre-leased, and residents are expected to begin moving in by year’s end. 

Located at 3605 Cleveland Ave., across from Fort Myers Country Club, the property sits between a McDonald’s and a Walgreens. It was originally built in 1956 as Al Galman Pontiac, later operated as a used car dealership and then sat vacant for more than a decade before redevelopment began. 

The project overcame numerous hurdles, including Hurricane Ian’s aftermath, post-COVID inflation and a funding shortfall. Rep. Byron Donalds helped close that gap, bringing in the final $3 million, said Marcia Davis, executive director of the Fort Myers Housing Authority. 

Latimer Crossing takes its name from Lewis Latimer, a Black inventor and contemporary of Thomas Edison. The name was chosen with input from future residents and developed by In House Creative, a marketing firm that has worked with The Ritz-Carlton. 

“Lewis Latimer invented the evaporating cooling system,” said Jason Teeters, CEO and founder of Jet Set State and a Lewis Latimer Fellow with the Edison Awards for innovation, held annually in Fort Myers. Teeters said Latimer’s work helped pave the way for modern air conditioning. 

“So, praise Lewis Latimer,” Teeters said. “People will drive by here and say, ‘That’s what affordable housing looks like? That’s beautiful.’ This Latimer Crossing becomes a bridge of hope.” 

Davis said the name reflects the development’s goal of helping residents thrive, just as its namesake did. “It’s because of these individuals who have set me free to go and find partners to make this happen,” she said, thanking the housing authority’s board of commissioners and other partners. 

Developer McCormack Baron Salazar of St. Louis led the project. “I want to take a moment to take a deep breath, to inhale and exhale,” said Sandra Seals, the company’s senior vice president of development. Comparing the early stages to “paddling in a canoe that had filled with water,” she credited Davis for steady leadership. “It takes a huge leap of faith.” 

Latimer Crossing is the first completed project under the city’s four-phase Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant. Ground was recently broken on Phase II, Legacy Point, at the former Southward Village site. 

Chris-Tel Construction of Fort Myers managed the build, with design by Parker, Mudgett, Smith Architects. Bank OZK provided a $34.5 million construction loan toward the $50 million project. “It takes a village,” said Kevin Beauparlant, Bank OZK senior vice president. “The bad word is stubborn, but the really good word is perseverance.” 

Latimer Crossing also includes three commercial spaces along U.S. 41. Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Michele Hylton-Terry said the businesses will help sustain the community. “Affordable housing is about more than a roof over someone’s head,” she said. “This helps assure that in Fort Myers, everybody has a chance to live, work and thrive.” 

Foxtail Coffee, which operates locations in Cape Coral and North Naples, has a handshake agreement for one of the spaces, said franchise owner Diana Willis. “It just seems like a great spot,” she said. “I bought into the vision of transforming affordable housing.” 

Mayor Kevin Anderson said the city contributed $2 million in funding, nearly covering the $2.25 million cost of the land purchased in 2021. “It’s an example of promoting self-sufficiency and helping families truly thrive,” Anderson said. “To our future residents: Welcome home. The ribbon cutting doesn’t mark the end of a project. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for Fort Myers.”