Reviving a Community

Every city has their roads that orient the entire population. In Fort Myers our main guidelines seem to be Colonial Boulevard, Daniel Parkway, Cleveland Ave, and Palm Beach Boulevard. But what happens when one of those roads begins to be forgotten?

That's what was beginning to happen to Palm Beach Boulevard. One of the original areas of Fort Myers, East Fort Myers and Tice have seen every era of Southwest Florida. From Citrus Farming to International Vacation Spot, Palm Beach Boulevard has carried its' residents to their destinations and made a home for hundreds and thousands of Fort Myers residents. Drive through the neighborhood today and you will see that there is no sign of slowing down. It still bursts at the seams with homes and cars and newcomers. It is one of the original cornerstones of our area. 

Though time is not always too kind to our hometowns. Seemingly once a month we hear about a new crash, business foreclosure, or crime scene investigation taking place on Palm Beach Boulevard. A quick google search will lead you down a rabbit hole of articles of tragedies and think pieces on what to do with the street. Some say leave it alone and let it be, that's just how Palm Beach is. Other say let corporations buy it up – push citizens out for new things. 

But this is not just a street. This is a community. There are families and local businesses and history woven into this community. A constant reminder of the pain and failures of a system, without a solution, can only cause a community to doubt it's potential. 

So what do you do when a part of your city is forgetting its' potential? 

You step in. 

The Greenwave Motel sat on Palm Beach Boulevard for years, becoming somewhat of a landmark. Though not for reasons some would want. Regular police visits and building that was needing major upkeep, it wasn't exactly an inviting place for people to come and stay. Instead of a clean space for people to rest, it had become a space that was perpetuating safety concerns. It was not what Palm Beach Boulevard needed. So Jaime did what he usually does. He stepped in boldly. 

Jaime Tavares knows what is takes to flip a property. For the last few years he has been able to take homes that are struggling and give them a new life. And everything he touches becomes a new spot for new beginnings. Forget what was once there. Take a good look at what is to come. When Jaime says farewell to a property he is not just furthering good business, but he also knows that he is often times giving a family a new start and giving a boost to the community.

The Greenwave Motel was his biggest project yet. He had seen it for years as he drove through Palm Beach Boulevard, thinking about what it could be. It didn't need to have a bad name anymore. That hotel could be something new if someone would just come in and devote some time to it, giving it a fighting chance to be the best that it could possibly be. It was a seemingly impossible task, there was extensive work that needed to be undertaken. Complete re-do of each of the rooms. New furniture. Major repairs to the buildings. A complete overhaul of policy and culture. Renovating this hotel wasn't just a property flip. It was becoming a cultural shift.

When we went to visit Jaime and Mayor Kevin Anderson of Fort Myers at the property, now name Veras Inn & Suites, the shift was already palpable. Two food trucks were already up front, ready for business. With a smile and with a quickness we were served an incredible meal.  All the buildings had been painted a crisp white, with new roofs, and planters by the doors. We were lucky enough to take a tour of one of the finished rooms that were available. Completely re – done to a modern and sleek style. Modern appliances and furniture making the space the perfect place to relax and revive for local or out of town visitors. Even though construction continued in some rooms, there were visitors already in the finished rooms. It was completely peaceful. A stark contrast to how it used to be. 

When Jaime speaks about Veras Inn & Suites, there is a clear passion. This is not just going to be another hotel, it's the signal of a turning point for Palm Beach Boulevard. This neighborhood won't just be the host for tragedy anymore. Palm Beach Boulevard will become the new culture hub of Fort Myers. It's entering its' next era. 

Photos of the property were graciously provided by Jaime Tavares.