McCollum Hall restoration efforts in Dunbar

Reporter: Jolena Esperto Writer: Paul Dolan
Published:

Saturday was a big step forward in terms of restoring the historic McCollum Hall in Dunbar.

It’s been a long time since the building’s glory days with performers like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington taking the stage, but the goal is to bring all of it back.

Developers gave the community a chance to share their thoughts and ideas about McCollum Hall.

Plans for McCollum Hall include adding a 26-unit residential building, a food hall, and a market hall for people in Fort Myers to enjoy.

Food trucks, vendors, and bounce houses were outside McCollum Hall all day on Saturday for people in the community to celebrate the restoration.

Dancing at McCollum Hall. CREDIT: WINK News

McCollum Hall was originally constructed in 1938 by Clifford McCollum, known for its livelihood, and people want it back.

Micahel and Malcolm McCollum, grandsons of Clifford McCollum, are thankful for any progress with a place that hits so close to home for them.

“A lot of legacy individuals that are still holding on to see this project, you know, take a lift,” Michael said. “This is the most important thing because you know, it keeps us with a dream of Dunbar something that we can identify with.”

“Because there was a time my granddad and grandmother ahead of where this was like, a Center of attention. We had restaurants we had all kinds of things going on here,” Malcolm said. “And hopefully this kind of starts bringing some older people to break come out with memories.”

Clifford McCollum. CREDIT: WINK News

Janeen Vanko, the owner of Neenie’s House, wanted to be there to support the restoration efforts.

“Because there was a time my granddad and grandmother ahead of where this was like, a Center of attention. We had restaurants we had all kinds of things going on here,” Vanko said. “And hopefully this kind of starts bringing some older people to break come out with memories.”

One of the developers told WINK News they are hoping to have the restoration finished by Dec. 2023.

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