The projects include the complete reconstruction of Gulf Beach Condo and Kimball Lodge, both of which sustained extensive damage during Hurricane Ian. Each property will be completely rebuilt to meet updated building standards and state and federal codes, as well as designed to enhance long-term durability and storm resilience.

The Gulf Beach Condo project includes the reconstruction of a 14-unit, 28,542sf beachfront condominium at 527 E. Gulf Drive. Construction is scheduled to break ground in summer 2026 and is expected to be completed within 12 months. The project is designed by MK Architecture, with engineering by Michael D. Stewart, P.E. Doug Hrabik will serve as project manager.

The Kimball Lodge rebuild includes a single, 31-unit, 26,982sf condominium community. Located at 3111 W. Gulf Drive, the project broke ground in early April, alongside work at Island Inn, and is anticipated to be completed within 12 months. The project is designed by Christopher J. Lee Architects, with engineering by LB Structural Engineering. Jose Castillo will serve as project manager.

Both reconstruction efforts will be built to the latest standards for flood elevations and hurricane wind codes, utilizing modern construction techniques designed to better protect structures against future storms. The projects reflect a broader regional effort to rebuild Sanibel Island stronger and more sustainably following a series of devastating weather events.

As Southwest Florida continues to recover and redevelop, Benchmark General Contractors remains focused on delivering high-quality construction projects that support housing, tourism and economic growth throughout the region. The company continues to expand its footprint across Sanibel, Captiva and surrounding communities while contributing to the long-term resilience of coastal Southwest Florida.

Benchmark General Contractors is a Southwest Florida-based construction firm specializing in commercial and luxury residential projects, with a strong presence in coastal communities including Sanibel and Captiva. The company is known for its expertise in complex coastal construction, delivering highquality projects that meet the unique challenges of building in hurricane-prone environments. For more information visit Benchmark-GC.com.

Stevens Construction’s special projects team is renovating an existing 7,824sf building on Family Initiative’s Thrive Academy campus, located at 3221 Chiquita Blvd. in Cape Coral. By completely gutting the building and reconfiguring the floor plan, Thrive Academy will be able to expand educational opportunities for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Scheduled for completion in July, the renovated building will include seven classrooms, a staff childcare room, a STEM lab, sensory room and offices.

Thrive Academy is part of Family Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with ASD and their families through education, therapy and support, giving them the best opportunity to thrive.

The Stevens Construction team includes Special Projects Manager Zach Mascarelli, Special Projects Superintendent Nate Shaddix and Special Projects Administrator Kelly Escorcia. The project was designed by Studio+.

Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Please visit StevensBuilds.com for information.

Fort Myers-based ADDMAN won a gold in the manufacturing and logistics category for an innovation that provides superior 3D printing technologies. Bonita Spring-based e2Companies won a silver, Naples-based Arthrex earned silver and bronze awards, Fort Myers-based EmCyte won bronze and Naples-based Digital ShortCutz won bronze. Winners were recognized across 50 categories.

Additionally, the Horizon Foundation, in collaboration with the Edison Awards, honored winners of the AI + HI Innovation Challenge, a competition featuring teams of local students who addressed concerns with artificial intelligence and human intelligence. Tech Tigers from Dunbar High School won first place for its LeeConnect innovation, Solvably Strategists II from Dunbar High won second place for a presentation on SafeLee and Together We Grow from Island Coast High School won third place for its Resilient AI project.

The annual event attracted an international contingent of tech CEOs, engineers and entrepreneurs who experienced the future of innovation coming to life through an Innovators Showcase and Innovators Forum. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was among the featured panelists, along with representatives from Samsung, Lenovo, Mayo Clinic and others. The Edison Awards presented NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and pop culture icon Rihanna with Edison Achievement Awards for their significant, lasting contributions to innovation and human-centered design throughout their careers.

The Horizon Foundation, which raises private-sector money to support economic development efforts in Lee County, was the event’s platinum sponsor. Additional local sponsors included the City of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University, Collaboratory, Em- Cyte, Babcock Ranch, U.S. Sugar and Blue Waters Development Group.

The renovation added a two-story enclosed atrium, enhanced seating areas, a relocated information booth, a new staircase and three conference-style rooms on the second floor. Outdoor improvements include an expanded lawn with flexible seating and food truck space.

Designed by RG Architects, the 11-month project was completed a month ahead of schedule, with input from FGCU departments and FGCU Student Government. The Cohen Student Union now serves as a revitalized hub for student life and campus engagement.

Key O-A-K team members included Marco Garcia, Carlos Rapalo, Brian Filipek, Ian Miller and Ferrell Clark.

Owen-Ames-Kimball has provided general contracting, design-build and construction management services in Southwest Florida since 1982. Its project portfolio includes education, commercial, community, government, health care and aviation clients. For more information, visit Owen-Ames-Kimball.com.

SALES
• JC IOS Acquisitions, LLC: 13,500sf industrial property on 2.49 acres at 6180 Federal Court, Fort Myers, from 6180 Federal Court, LLC for $5 million. (Jeff Buckler, SIOR and Zach Buckler)
• Alterra IOS Acquisitions III, LLC: 6,974sf industrial property on 5.35 acres at 16751 Old U.S. 41, Fort Myers, from JP Murphy Properties, LLC for $4.2 million. (Jeff Buckler, SIOR and Zach Buckler)
• Outour Acquisitions, LLC: 35,000sf industrial property on 3.96 acres at 5445 Williamsburg Drive and 5441 Constitutional Ave., Punta Gorda, from American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc. for $3.85 million. (Colton Brausen)
• Love Sosa Holdings, LLC: 11,250sf industrial property on 1.02 acres at 3410 Westview Drive, Naples, from Astron International, Inc. for $2.9 million. (Jeff Buckler, SIOR and Zach Buckler)
• Kamaldeep Singh: 8,870sf retail property at 11598/600 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, from Blue Fig, LLC for $2.7 million. (Colton Brausen)
• 127 Industrial Partners, LLC: Three industrial buildings totaling 13,970sf at 12731-12741-12751 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers, from Cat Co of SW Florida, LLC for $2.3 million. (Colton Brausen and Zachary Tillery)
• Lee County Real Estate Investments, LLC: 13,385sf San Casa Square retail center at 2961 Placida Road, Englewood, from Lago Capital Investments, Inc. for $1.64 million. (Michael Mahan)
• 1227 Holdings, LLC: 3,072sf industrial flex condo at 12801 Commerce Lakes Drive, Units 23-24, Fort Myers, from Miles Frederick Thompson for $740,000. (Brock Rasmussen)
• Samari, LLC: 4,100sf net-leased medical office building at 6150 Diamond Centre Court, Fort Myers, from Cornell Irimies for $1.1 million. (Zachary Tillery, Jerry Messonnier, SIOR, and Bob Johnston, SIOR)
• MESS Props, LLC: 2,400sf industrial flex condo at 12821 Commerce Lakes Drive, Unit 1, Fort Myers, from James Wilson for $650,000. (Brock Rasmussen)
• Max Kepler: 1,250sf industrial flex condo in Meridian Flex Suites at 16221 Lee Road, Unit 162, Fort Myers, from RandyMyles,LLC for $399,900. (Brock Rasmussen)
• KRJ Management, LLC: 1,131sf industrial condo at 1101 Sun Century Road, Unit C, Naples, from Eugene Abramoff Rev Trust for $260,000. (Zachary Tillery and Brock Rasmussen)

LEASES
• WIN Holdings III Corp.: 14,635sf industrial in Gulf Landing Logistics Center at 9983 Gulf Logistics Drive, Units 508-509, Fort Myers, from Fort Myers Industrial Owner, LLC. (Jerry Messonnier, SIOR, Bob Johnston, SIOR and Frank Martone)
• NAS MRO Services, LLC: 35,000sf industrial at 5445 Williamsburg Drive and 5441 Constitutional Ave., Punta Gorda, from OSI 5445 Williamsburg Drive, LLC. (Colton Brausen)
• Gulf Coast Paint & Performance Group: 10,440sf industrial building at 1585 Seaboard St., Fort Myers, from Neeld Realty 6, LLC. (Frank Martone)
• Buffalo Storage & Transport, LLC: 8,775sf industrial at 1401 Rail Head Blvd., Naples, from Railhead Properties, LLC. (Bill Young and Biagio Bernardo)
• Global Market Connection Group, LLC: 5,941sf industrial in Naples Village Square at 3066 Tamiami Trail N., Unit 101, Naples, from Naples Village Square, LLC. (Brock Rasmussen and Gary Barlow)
• Sun Electric Works, LLC: 5,000sf industrial at 6120 Idlewild St., Fort Myers, from Fort Myers 6120 Idlewild St., LLC. (Colton Brausen)
• SHANKITGOLF, LLC: 5,000sf industrial in Gulf Landing Logistics Center at 14261 Jetport Loop, Units 7 & 8, Fort Myers, from Swam FM, LLC. (Frank Martone, Bob Johnston, SIOR, Jeff Buckler, SIOR and Zach Buckler)
• The Towel Guys, Inc.: 3,600sf industrial at 6551 Corporate Park Circle, Unit 4, Fort Myers, from Forse Development, LLC. (Colton Brausen)
• Blooming Behavior Therapy, LLC: 2,591sf office in Barkley Professional Center at 43 Barkley Circle, Suite 103, Fort Myers, from Nina Papas Irrevocable Trust DTD. (Michael Mahan)
• Quality Bin Cleaning, Inc.: 2,350sf industrial at 4227 Enterprise Ave., Unit E, Naples, from 4227 Enterprise Ave., LLC. (Brock Rasmussen and Gary Barlow)
• Galaxy Fit Lab, LLC: 2,300sf retail in Wiggins Pass Crossing at 13500 Tamiami Trail N., Unit 12, Fort Myers, from Coneco Realty, LLC. (Bill Young and Biagio Bernardo)
• UH Management, LLC: 2,250sf medical office at 4977 Royal Gulf Circle, Fort Myers, from Steven & Jan Fischer. (Brock Rasmussen and Gary Barlow)
• Cape Coral Signworks, LLC: 2,000sf industrial at 8801 Business Park Drive, Unit 209, Fort Myers, from Lee Road Enterprises, LLC. (Meaghan Schmitt)
• Salon Zen Aveda: 1,746sf retail in Cameron Commons at 8855 Immokalee Road, Unit 2, Naples, from Cameron Partners, LLC. (Bill Young and Biagio Bernardo)
• David Zap: 728sf retail at 27665 Old U.S. 41, #2, Bonita Springs, from Old U.S. 41, LLC. (Brock Rasmussen)

LEASES
• State of Florida Auditor General: 1,518sf office at Colonial Executive Park, 3850 – 3860 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, from Winfield Partners II, LLC / Orbis Properties. (Enn Luthringer, CCIM)
• Buffalo Storage and Transport, LLC: 15,000sf industrial at Greyhound Commerce Park, 10980 Enterprise Ave., Bonita Springs, from Bonita Enterprise Realty, LLC. (Dave Wallace, CCIM, SIOR and David Wallace with cobroker Downing-Frye Realty)
• Tye M. Davis Interior Design, Inc.: 1,205sf office at Beachway Professional Center, 3301 Bonita Beach Road S.W., Bonita Springs, from Tamiami Investments, LTD. (Dave Wallace, CCIM, SIOR and David Wallace with co-broker ARC Medical Realty)

SALES
• Ryan Companies US, Inc.: 61.4 acres at S. Tamiami Trail and Alico Road, Fort Myers, from Jared F. Holes Successor Trustee of Land Trust #5364, #5377 for $20.45 million. (Michael J. Frye, CCIM)
• Hight Knox Properties, LLC: 60,100sf on 10.55 acres at 2820 Cargo St., Fort Myers, from Larry Spaide, Marsha Spaide and Geraldine Moore for $5 million. (Michael J. Frye, CCIM and Pam Bratton, CCIM, SFR, RSPS)
• Matthew A. Thomas: 1.25 acres at 25000 Stillwell Parkway, Bonita Springs, from Christina Wantz for $440,000. (Pam Bratton, CCIM, SFR, RSPS and Michael J. Frye, CCIM)

LEASES
• Gendron Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc.: 2,112sf building at 1120 Village Lakes Blvd., Lehigh Acres, from HB Family Holdings, LLLP. (Michael J. Frye, CCIM and Pam Bratton, CCIM, SFR, RSPS)
• Lexi J’s Boutique: 1,240sf retail at 16964 Alico Mission Way, Unit 205, Fort Myers, from Alico Station, LLC. (Michael J. Frye, CCIM)
• Mark Christian Ministry Early Learning Center: 2,144sf building at 1401 Kimdale St. E., Lehigh Acres, from Trevor John Pumphrey. (Michael J. Frye, CCIM)
• Diane Marencin Barbershop: 563sf retail at 1469 Colonial Blvd., Unit 105., Fort Myers, from Lago Capital Investments, Inc. (Michael J. Frye, CCIM and Pam Bratton, CCIM, SFR, RSPS)

After completing the framework of the new home, Builders Care and its project partners gathered to leave special messages for the new homeowner, Lewis Freeman. With these Notes of Love, Freeman will always be surrounded by the community’s well wishes, words of encouragement and blessings.

The 71-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran was born and raised in Fort Myers’ Dunbar neighborhood. After suffering a stroke in 2015, Freeman was unable to continue working and has since lived on a fixed income. When his rental home was sold unexpectedly, he moved in with his niece while hoping to once again have a home of his own. Builders Care and generous local partners and donors are building Freeman a brandnew, two-bedroom, two-bath home on a lot in Dunbar that was donated by the City of Fort Myers.

More than 46 subcontractors are donating labor and services for the project, coordinated by Pulte Homes and its builder partners. The home is expected to be completed in late spring. To learn more, visit LeeBuildersCare.org.

SALES
• Finamp, LLC: 13730 Cypress Terrace Circle, Unit 403, Fort Myers, from 403, LLC. (Matthew Tuccio)

LEASES
• Low Country, LLC: 2,511sf at 4110 Enterprise Ave., #102 & #103, Naples, from VK 4110 Enterprise, LLC. (Corrie Gates)
• Preston Lamar Thornton and Leah Nail: 1,880sf residential at 2105 S.E. 15th Place, Cape Coral, from Rice Investment, Inc. (Corrie Gates)
• Liftech Elevator Solutions, LLC: 2,664sf industrial flex at 1085 Business Lane, Unit 1, Naples, from Business Lane, LLC. (Bartley Realty, LLLP and Corrie Gates)
• KC South Cape, LLC: 3,918sf commercial at 4836 Leonard St., Cape Coral, from Cape Central, LLC. (Bryan J. Myers and Daniel Miller)
• My Village Play Cafe, LLC: 3,419sf commercial at 1119 Del Prado Blvd., #2, Cape Coral, from Rmadruga Del Prado 1, LLC. (Corrie Gates, Bryan Myers and Ashley Bloom)
• Edward Jones: 885sf office at 2104 Del Prado Blvd., Suite 4, Cape Coral, from Rmadruga Del Prado 3, LLC. (Corrie Gates, Bryan Myers and Ashley Bloom)
• European Grocery, LLC: 1,794sf retail at 1141 S.W. Pine Island Road, Unit 11, Cape Coral, from HVCG Cape Retail, LLC. (Corrie Gates, Bryan Myers, Ashley Bloom and Donna Marrero)
• South Palm Beach Imaging, Inc.: 2,800sf office at 506 S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, from RX Imaging, LLC. (John Albion and Alan Tannenbaum)
• All Paws Pet Resort and Veterinary Care, LLC: 4,266sf retail at 1141 S.W. Pine Island Road, Units 14 & 15, Cape Coral, from HVCG Cape Retail, LLC. (Donna Marrero, Corrie Gates, Bryan Myers and Ashley Bloom)
• Botanical Brewing Co.: 6,795sf office and warehouse at 901 E. Industrial Circle, Suites 1-2, Cape Coral, from Accutek. (Bryan J. Myers and Daniel Miller)

A $200,000 grant will support construction of the food bank’s new Hunger Action Center through the nonprofit’s ongoing $30 million Feeding the Future capital campaign. Funding will be used for key infrastructure components, including warehouse space, cold storage and distribution areas to allow the food bank to handle and store fresh, nutritious food from local farmers. The Hunger Action Center will allow Harry Chapin Food Bank to identify and assist individuals needing assistance earlier in the process, streamline operations and ensure the long-term growth of the organization’s programs.

A separate $50,000 grant from Bank of America supports the food bank’s Care and Share Senior Feeding Program, which provides low-income seniors in Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties with pre-packaged food kits that contain easyto- prepare meals and shelf-stable fruits, vegetables, proteins, cheeses and grains.

Another key component of Harry Chapin Food Bank’s capital campaign is the creation of a Workforce Development and Wraparound Services program designed to address the root causes of hunger while helping individuals and families build long-term stability.

Since 2020, Bank of America has provided $3.7 million in grants locally to support nonprofits and community initiatives. To learn more, please visit Newsroom.BankofAmerica.com.

Harry Chapin Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida, serving nearly 300,000 neighbors per month across Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. Visit HarryChapinFoodBank.org for more information.