City of Fort Myers on May 19 agreed to pay for design and construction of a long-awaited African American Cultural Center in Roberto Clemente Park in the historically Black Dunbar community.
City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lee County Black History Society that provides the basic framework for how the Cultural Center will be built and operated. It expresses the intention of both sides but is not a binding contract.
Under the MOU, the city will pay for the cost of designing, building and maintaining a roughly 15,000-square-foot center, along with an amphitheater. City officials estimate it will cost $12.8 million to construct the center between 2026 and 2028. It represents the third phase of improvements taking place at Clemente Park.
“Cultural tourism is on the rise and the Cultural Center will help attract tourists,” said Harriet Myers, treasurer of the Black History Society. “The histories and stories of the African American community and African diaspora will come to life through arts, events and educational experiences at this location… a direct amenity only minutes away from downtown Fort Myers.”
History Society Assistant Treasurer Shirley Burns said the center would “increase social capital within a historically marginalized community” and “hopefully include a cafe.”
While City Council unanimously approved the MOU, some questioned the general nature of its language and worried that specifics were lacking.
“I’m not comfortable that we’re where we need to be yet,” said Ward 4 council member Liston Bochette. “I’d like to see real numbers and what it’s actually going to cost.”
Fort Myers Director of Financial Services Chris Tenney said that the city needs to update the $12.8 million cost estimate.
“With the way construction costs are going it’s hard to really pinpoint,” said City Manager Marty Lawing, adding that a 15,000-square-foot building at $600 per square foot would cost $9 million.
In 2021, the History Society announced a capital campaign to raise $22 million to build the center.
Whatever the cost, Tenney said the city would need to borrow the money to make it happen.
The MOU also requires the city to receive the Black History Society’s approval on the building’s layout options but doesn’t indicate how the two parties would resolve a disagreement about that, Ward 6 council member Darla Bonk said.
City officials told Bonk that the specifics of the agreement can be hashed out later in an official operating agreement and that the MOU could help the Black History Society raise funds in advance for the Cultural Center’s daily operations.
Under the MOU, the Black History Society will be financially responsible for the Cultural Center’s daily operations. The city will provide a 50-year lease to with a 50-year renewal option at a nominal cost of $1 per year once the center is built. And the Black History Society will retain the right to use the amphitheater exclusively on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, at least five days during Black History Month, during the Florida Emancipation Celebration, Juneteenth, and to host its annual Holiday in the Park during the Christmas season.
Original discussions of the project revolved around creating a sports complex, but residents expressed interest in a general facility that could be a landmark destination point.
Architect Ted Sottong envisioned a first-floor art gallery with big windows overlooking the street, a second floor for community events and a third floor with music and arts studios. Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson has voiced his support for the project in the past but was absent from the May 19 meeting on vacation.
