Housing Complex Going up in Fort Myers

Janet Maxwell and her neighbors look forward to having new meeting and exercise rooms and a computer lab.

The amenities will be part of the project to renovate the Flossie Riley housing complex. The Housing Authority of Fort Myers is expected to break ground this morning on the project, called Renaissance Preserve Senior.

"There won't be any excuse for me not to exercise," laughed Janet Maxwell, 51, a 19-year resident of Flossie Riley.

The Renaissance Preserve Senior at 4224 Michigan Ave. marks the first phase in the redevelopment of Michigan Court, Fort Myers' largest public housing complex.

When it is finished, the entire project will encompass not only the Renaissance Preserve Senior but 272 family apartments and town homes and 135 affordable homeownership single-family homes off-site.

The estimated cost of the entire project is $82 million.

Fort Myers Housing Authority was awarded a $20 million HOPE VI grant in October 2005 to demolish and rebuild Michigan Court/Flossie Riley.

HOPE VI is the result of recommendations by the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing, charged with proposing a plan to eradicate public housing projects in disrepair.

The pink paint is faded on the one-floor apartments of Flossie M. Rile, which enclose a court yard with two light poles.

Screens are hanging off doors and windows.

Residents sit on picnic-style benches in the outside corridor of their breakroom, which views Michigan Avenue traffic.

Renaissance Preserve Senior, on the other hand, will be a three-floor 120-unit complex shaped like a crescent with a fountain in the front. It's scheduled for completion in 18 months. There will be 114 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments.

Besides the exercise and computer rooms, the complex will have a lounge area with new furniture on each floor.

"We are all excited," said Barbara Hall, 62, president of the resident council at Flossie and 12-year resident.

Flossie Riley residents will stay put until construction ends. Once they move into the new building, Flossie will be demolished.

Marcia Davis, Fort Myers Housing Authority coordinator of HOPE VI, said this would decrease the stress of relocation.

"We were committed to building the seniors first," she said.

Davis said the housing authority has contracted $3.5 million in work from minority, local and disadvantaged businesses for the project.

The second phase of the project at Michigan Court will include 96 family rental units and is set to begin in May. That stage will also include a new housing authority administration building.
 

IF YOU GO

· What: Renaissance Preserve Senior Ground Breaking Ceremony

· When: 10:30 a.m. today

· Where: 4224 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers

· Information: Call 344-3220.

· Renaissance Preserve Senior will include 114 one-bedroom and six two-bedrooms apartments

· Renaissance Preserve Senior is the first phase of construction scheduled for completion in 18 months

· Residents eligible to live in Renaissance Preserve Senior must be 62 or older and/or disabled and eligible for public housing.

· The second phase of construction will begin in May and includes 96 family rental apartments and townhomes and the new housing authority administration building.

· The final project will include Renaissance Preserve Senior, 272 family rental homes and 135 affordable homeownership units off-site.