Restaurant Operator for McCollum Hall

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is seeking an experienced restaurant operator to launch and manage a full‑service restaurant in the historic McCollum Hall building, a centerpiece of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. redevelopment district. The operator will be responsible for concept development, design coordination, staffing, procurement, licensing, daily operations, community‑benefit programming, and ongoing reporting. The contract will be structured as a lease/concession with a base rent plus revenue‑share component and an initial term of five years, with up to two five‑year renewal options. The CRA emphasizes cultural alignment, local hiring, and integration with the venue’s event schedule. • Minimum 5 years of business existence in Florida and ≥3 years of restaurant/food‑service experience. • Submit full electronic proposal by 2:00 pm on October 2, 2026 via OpenGov. • Pre‑proposal virtual meeting (non‑mandatory) on September 17, 2026. • Questions due by September 25, 2026. • Required deliverables include concept package, operating plan, financial model, community‑benefit plan, fit‑out plan, and all permits/insurance. • CRA will evaluate on experience, concept quality, financial feasibility, cultural fit, and community impact, not solely on rent offer.