Developers of a 130-unit apartment complex in Fort Myers marked a groundbreaking that will provide residents 55 and older with an affordable place to live.
Housing Trust Group, a Coconut Grove-based company specializing in affordable housing, was joined by local elected officials it credited with helping bring Legacy Park II to fruition. The development is being built on two parcels across from one another at 2650 Oak Ridge Court, off Evans Avenue, between Colonial Boulevard and Winkler Avenue.
The project includes 80 units on a 2.3-acre lot on the south side and 50 units on a 1.2-acre lot on the north side. Future residents must meet income qualifications, earning less than 80% of the area median income.
Former Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning, a part owner involved behind the scenes, could not attend the ceremony because of travel with the team.
“We have eight projects under construction now, and 11 more in the pipeline,” said Jordan Tolman, chief operating officer of Housing Trust Group. “Alonzo’s usually a general partner in our projects. He’s very hands on with all the political influence that he brings.”
Jordan Tolman, chief operating officer of Housing Trust Group, speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for Legacy Park II, an affordable senior housing development in Fort Myers.
David Dorsey
Housing Trust Group has completed 56 similar developments, primarily in Florida, with others in Texas. This marks the company’s first project in Lee County.
Lee County Commissioner David Mulicka and Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson welcomed the project. The city waived school impact fees because the development is intended for older adults rather than families.
“As a senior, I appreciate housing opportunities for seniors,” Anderson said. “As we know, here in Fort Myers we have a large population of seniors and not enough affordable housing for them. This is great to see one more effort to correct that — to address that issue.”
A rendering depicts Legacy Park II, a planned 130-unit affordable housing community for residents 55 and older in Fort Myers. The project is being developed by Housing Trust Group.
Housing Trust Group
Amenities will include a resort-style pool, game room, fitness center and library.
“I’m proud that our county commission helped provide $10.72 million to this project,” Mulicka said. “The only thing better than groundbreakings are ribbon cuttings, and I look forward to coming back for that.”
Wilbur Smith Law Firm helped secure funding, said attorney Sawyer Smith. County funding came from the federal Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery program, part of a $1.1 billion appropriation signed into law by former President Joe Biden.
“Housing Trust Group and Lee County have worked extremely hard to deploy the CDBG-DR funds so that our community can begin to close the gap on housing that people can afford,” Smith said. “In this particular case, HTG and Lee County are closing the gap on something much-needed in our area, which is senior housing. Wilbur Smith Law Firm, my colleague Terry Cramer and I, are privileged to have worked with HTG and all of those involved.”
A construction site along Oak Ridge Court in Fort Myers is shown ahead of development of Legacy Park II, a 130-unit affordable housing community for residents 55 and older.
David Dorsey
BDI Construction, based in Miami, will build the project. The family-owned company, founded by Teobaldo Rosell and now led by Carlos Rosell, frequently partners with Housing Trust Group on similar developments across the state. Fort Myers-based EnSite handled engineering.
“It feels good to give back to the community in a market where there is such a need,” Carlos Rosell said.
The project carries a $55 million construction cost. In addition to county funding, Fifth Third Bank provided a $29 million construction loan, and Granbridge provided an $11.83 million loan. Florida Housing Finance Corp. also assisted.
“We did a project in Miramar, where we tore down an old police station and built 110 units,” said Ryan Benson, vice chair of the Florida Housing Finance Corp. “We had 10,000 applicants. That’s how bad it is.”
Tolman said the development will offer more than affordability.
“Just as important as the affordability is the quality of life we will bring,” he said.