The first topic the Fort Myers mayor’s diversity council is set to discuss won’t be an easy one. It’s gentrification. Concerns have been raised because of a redevelopment project approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency on Seaboard Street in Fort Myers, an area near primarily black community of Dunbar. Residents are worried it could change their neighborhood so much they’d be forced to move. But, CRA executive director Michele Hylton-Terry said that’s not the case, and that’s what she wants to communicate to residents during the first community outreach presentation to the Mayor’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee on Thursday. The public is invited to attend. It begins at 6 p.m. at the Collaboratory on Jackson Street in downtown Fort Myers. “The whole idea is to provide information about all the activity that is occurring in our MLK redevelopment area,” Hylton-Terry said. “Seaboard is the one that kind of kicked it off, that got people engaged and very interested to know what is happening, and to really share what we are doing to support them as the growth happens so they can be part of the growth.” Hylton-Terry, who is also part of the diversity council, said the program will be conversational because she wants to hear what residents have to say. “This is our first public opportunity to engage with the community,” said Hylton-Terry, referring to the advisory board.
Powered by WPeMatico