Legacy Point Breaks Ground: $1.1B Affordable Housing Project Brings New Life to Dunbar After Hurricane Ian

Construction started last Thursday as crews broke ground on Legacy Point, where 373 mixed-income homes will replace the old Southward Village in Fort Myers' Dunbar area.

The site spans 37 acres on Edison Avenue. Workers will build a mix of low-cost, workforce, and standard-priced units. The $1.1 billion build marks big progress in fixing Dunbar's damage from Hurricane Ian.

"This is monumental," said Marcia Davis, Fort Myers Housing Authority Director, according to WGCU News. "You have to have some guts and grit to get to this point."

Phase one will add 150 units by spring 2027. The plan lets 200 past Southward Village residents, who left after Ian hit, come back to their old neighborhood in new homes.

Fort Myers City Council member Terolyn Watson shared her ties to the old site. "It was a lovely day here for me," Watson said. "Very personal. I take this to heart. And I make a dedication to Fort Myers, to the citizens, that this thing is done right."

Sabrina Shelton, who once lived there, watched the first dig. "It is great to build a bigger and better place," she said. "It means a lot to walk into a brand new place. Thank God."

Next week, the Lee County Board meets to vote on adding $18.8 million to the project. Cash flows in from many spots, with federal aid through disaster grants leading the way.

Plans show a clubhouse, paths for walks, and a food market. The whole site should be completed by spring 2028.