NAPLES AREA CLOSED HOME SALES DECREASE IN JUNE
Five-hundred potential buyers were shown homes for sale in the Naples area every day during June, according to the June 2019 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS (NABOR), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island). Closed sales in the Naples area during June decreased 10.3 percent compared to closed sales in June 2018, but closed sales since January have only decreased .7 percent. Closed sales over the last 12 months are up in all price categories below $1 million. To view the entire report, visit www.NaplesArea.com.
MLK REDEVELOPMENT AREA APARTMENTS APPROVED FOR CRA REBATE
Seaboard Waterside Apartments, an eight-story, 420-rental unit to be built in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (MLK) redevelopment area, was approved for a tax increment rebate of $11.48 million at the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners meeting on July 17. The Seaboard Apartments will be built at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Seaboard Street in Fort Myers in two phases. The development will offer 420 apartments, with a two-story parking garage built into the complex. It will be the first project of its kind in the MLK redevelopment area. The Seaboard Apartments Phase 1 will receive a $7.145 million rebate of the taxes generated by the project in yearly installments until the total amount is reached, or until 2044 when the redevelopment area sunsets. Phase 2 will receive a $4.335 million rebate of the taxes generated by the project in yearly installments until the total amount is reached, or until 2044 as well. The $82 million project is projected to open in 2023.
SHELL POINT RECEIVES $81 MILLION BOND FOR NURSING FACILITY
The Lee County Industrial Development Authority and the Lee Board of County Commissioners have approved the issuance of $81.2 million in Health Care Facility Revenue Bonds for Shell Point Retirement Community to construct and equip a 180-bed skilled nursing facility. The new health center will be known as the Waterside Health Center and will encompass six stories and approximately 196,952 square feet. The new facility will replace an existing 219-bed facility known as the Pavilion at Shell Point. Principals for the project include architectural design by RDG Planning and Design, structural engineering services by Johnson Engineering, construction by The Weitz Co., site preparation and landscape design by Stantec Consulting Services, and interior design by Wegman Design Group. Site preparation is underway and building construction is set to begin later this summer. The project is expected to be completed in 2020. For more information, contact the Lee County Economic Development Office, (239) 338-6800 or email edo@leegov.com.
REIS AUGUST LUNCHEON SLATED
The Real Estate Investment Society will present its August luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 13 in the Osprey Room at the Pelican Preserve Clubhouse in Fort Myers. Dr. Craig Capano, chair/professor of Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Construction Management Program, will discuss new opportunities offered at the university. Registration and payment are required by Aug. 8. Register at www.reis-swfl.org. All registrations must be made on the website, even if paying by check. Admission is $30 for members; $40 for nonmembers, and $20 for college students.
PANEL DISCUSSION FOR YOUNG LAWYERS SET
Gail Lamarche, Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A.’s director of marketing and business development, will moderate a panel discussion of law firm leaders sponsored by the Lee County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division. The free luncheon will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Aug. 2 at the Lee County Public Works Building in downtown Fort Myers. It is open to all young lawyers in Southwest Florida. The panelists include Aaron Bowles, Farr Law Firm, Ken Crooks, Henderson Franklin, and Jessica Thomas, Roetzel & Andress LPA. They will discuss their law firm’s approach for the professional and personal development of young lawyers, including mentoring, developing legal skills, branding, business development, networking, relationship building, and more. To register, email Nicole Brunswick at nicole@itsmylegalright.com.
BARKIS NAMED VICE PRESIDENT OF LCAWL
Alexis Barkis, an associate in Quarles & Brady LLP ‘s labor and employment practice group, has been selected as the new vice president of the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers (LCAWL). LCAWL promotes the advancement of women in the legal profession and women’s opportunities and rights by enhancing the visibility of women within the legal profession, the local and state judiciary, and within the Lee County community at large, by creating and maintaining supportive networks among women in the legal and business professions. Barkis has been treasurer of LCAWL since 2018 and a board member since 2016. She represents employers of all sizes across a wide range of industries with issues involving the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal, state and local fair employment and anti-discrimination issues.
Joanne Halm
WEGMAN DESIGN GROUP PROMOTES HALM
Wegman Design Group (WDG) has promoted Joanne Halm from procurement coordinator to senior procurement coordinator. Advancing into a leadership role has expanded Halm’s responsibilities into project specific procurement coordination which includes tracking design specifications, negotiating pricing and coordinating installations. She also develops and maintains the warranty process to provide a high-level of service to designers, vendors and clients. Employed at Wegman Design Group since 2016, Halm is a 2014 graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Cypress Cove organization reaches donation milestone
Cypress Cove at HealthPark Florida’s volunteer group, Caps for Kids, has completed its 20,000th cap for use by a child undergoing surgery at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Caps for Kids donates their time to create surgical caps for children at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Lee Health purchases fabric for the caps (required for patients during surgery). Volunteer staff at Lee Health cut the fabric into circles and then Cypress Cove’s Caps for Kids team assembles the elastic-banded caps. Cypress Cove’s volunteers produce on average 1,000 caps each year.
Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. (ACT) to Hold Annual Motorcycle Ride and Brunch
The ACT Motorcycle Ride, held on Aug. 18, will raise funds for ACT programs. The motorcycle ride will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m., with kickstands up at 9:30 a.m. at Stu’s Motorcycles in Fort Myers. The event will end at Keylime Bistro on Captiva Island. The ride is $25 per person. This year’s event sponsors include Goldberg Noone, Personal Injury Attorneys, Stu’s Motorcycles and Keylime Bistro. The 28-mile trip is held in honor of David Barbur, a former Sunrise Rotary Club “Rotarian” and ACT Board member. For more information, Jennifer L. Benton at (239) 939-2553 or click here.
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