Junkyard contamination cleanup stalls the sale that could usher in a new wave of affordable housing opportunities in Fort Myers. This situation underscores a rising tension between development aspirations and environmental responsibilities. As the owner of the junkyard faces obstacles due to ground contamination, the city hesitates, wary of future liabilities and potential hazards.
Miyoshi Price, the community correspondent for Fort Myers, attended a recent community redevelopment meeting to uncover the necessary steps to address what the city commissioners decry as an unsightly blight on the neighborhood. The looming presence of this junkyard, situated directly across from a school and residential homes, only heightens the urgency of the matter. As one commissioner aptly noted, “There’s going to be contamination. It’s a junkyard.”
Junkyard contamination cleanup stalls a sale that could bring affordable housing
Fred Burson, a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Commissioner, expressed his concerns clearly: “I don’t want to end up with a liability where we end up having to clean up something we never owned.” His sentiment reflects a common apprehension among city officials, illustrating the delicate balance between progress and preservation.
During the heated debate, Burson proposed a compromise aiming for a simultaneous closing between the land’s sale and the purchase of the business. The potential agreement, which involves a financial injection of $1.5 million from the CRA, offers a glimmer of hope to both the lot owner, Scott Brown, and his attorney, Sawyer Smith. They are in discussions with Megen Construction, a Cincinnati-based firm, that plans to transform part of this land into affordable housing.
Brown has spent more than a century in the Fort Myers area and views this compromise as a positive step forward. Local resident Joe Barbee echoes the community’s sentiments, expressing his desire for the area to evolve past its current state. “It’s an area that’s growing, and a school is right across the street from it,” says Barbee, emphasizing the need for change. He expresses hope for transforming the site into a park but supports affordable housing as a second-best option.
Smith, the attorney representing the Brown family, passionately advocates for moving this agenda forward. “It is time to take this property and take this land and evolve it,” he stated, promising adherence to all regulatory guidelines to ensure community safety. His dedication is evident as he pledges his family’s name, urging community members to hold him accountable should anything go awry during the cleanup and rebuild process.
As the local community prepares for the next CRA meeting, where new contracts will be presented, the atmosphere hints at anticipation. This meeting not only represents a step towards reimagining a community space but also raises hope for essential affordable housing development in a rapidly growing area. Fort Myers stands on the brink of transformation, as residents look forward to the potential that lies ahead.
