Dunbar community sees new designs for historic McCollum Hall

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—People in the Dunbar community got their first look at the approved conceptual designs for McCollum Hall.

The building's  has been on the decline for more than 50 years. Over time, people have heard a lot of promises about what McCollum Hall could become, but the Community Redevelopment Agency said revitalization is coming.

McCollum Hall is part of Fort Myers history. The building once hosted well-known Black entertainers during segregation and served as a gathering place for the community.

"Mr. McCollum was an innovator during his life," Janice Cass said.

"He wanted something nice for Black people to go to, because he knew that Black people couldn't go to any place else," Cass said.

Cass said watching the building sit empty year after year is hard.

"It's kind of like a yo-yo feeling," Cass said. "You think something's gonna happen… developers come in, they have community meetings, and then nothing happens."

The approved concept includes a two-story design with a restaurant, music venue and outdoor event space. Upstairs would include a community room, recording studio and a rooftop terrace.

Just east of McCollum Hall, it could turn into office and retail space.

"I'm praying that it does, because we need something in the community," Cass said.

Peter Kollar has also seen big ideas come and go.

"Hopefully, the new money, new capital into the corner is going to bring what we all desire to have a strong community here," Kollar said.

He said the area has needed new investment for a long time.

"If something is not used, it's a bleeding capital building opportunity, so we like to see it being utilized for whatever reason," Kollar said.

The CRA director said funding would come from several sources, including the CRA, the city, donations and more. The next step will be an informal presentation to the Historic Preservation Committee next month.

After that, the concepts will be finalized, presented to the city and then sent to the state for final approval.