Southwest Florida Housing Foundation celebrates ribbon-cutting for Latimer Crossing

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Nov. 6, 2025 - PRLog -- The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers's nonprofit development arm, Southwest Florida Housing Foundation, celebrated the grand-opening of Latimer Crossing, a four-building, 92-unit mixed-income community with a gym, outdoor recreation and spaces designed to bring neighbors together.

The Housing Authority and Foundation team gathered with community leaders, project partners and supporters on Nov. 6 for the ribbon cutting, marking a major milestone in completing Phase I of The Greater Dunbar Initiative. The initiative aims to tie together market preferences, resident needs and community reinvestment to transform the community into an equitable, desirable and proud neighborhood that meets the needs of all residents.

"We are thrilled to officially open Latimer Crossing, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to creating mixed-use communities that reflect the evolving needs of Fort Myers," said Marcia Davis, executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers. "This development represents more than just new housing; It delivers safe, high-quality and affordable living that uplifts families and contributes to the long-term strength of our neighborhoods."

Latimer Crossing is named in honor of Lewis Howard Latimer, the inventor who improved Thomas Edison's lightbulb and helped illuminate the world. In addition to residential spaces, the community is home to three commercial spaces designed to attract local businesses and provide convenient amenities for residents and neighbors alike.

Latimer Crossing was completed in partnership with national affordable housing developer McCormack Baron Salazar and contractor Chris-Tel Construction. Parker Mudgett Smith was the architect for the project.

The Greater Dunbar Initiative is made possible through the Southwest Florida Housing Foundation and is funded in part through a $30 million Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The large-scale revitalization aims to provide affordable and workforce housing units for residents while expanding choices, creating market-rate amenities and adding new mixed-income housing to create a resilient and healthy neighborhood moving forward.

Phase II of the initiative is currently underway with more than 373 units being constructed at Legacy Point, a modern, mixed-income community that will replace the former site of Southward Village.

To learn more about the Housing Authority and the Greater Dunbar Initiative, visit HACFM.org (https://www.hacfm.org/) or call 239-344-3222.