The Diocese of Venice in Florida and National Development of America will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 1 of St. Peter Claver Place Apartments, an affordable housing complex within the Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard redevelopment area. The groundbreaking, to be held Tuesday, April 11, starting at 9 a.m., at 3681 Michigan Ave., in Fort Meyrs, signifies the first phase of construction.

The St. Peter Claver Apartments will provide affordable housing for qualified residents who work in the City of Fort Myers and surrounding areas. Once Phase 1 is completed, St. Peter Claver Apartments will provide 136 rental units.

National Development and the Diocese of Venice embarked on this project seven years ago to address the critical demand for affordable rental housing in Southwest Florida. Through close partnership with the City of Fort Myers and Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency, National Development was able to overcome various market challenges that significantly impacted the development.

Representatives from Diocese of Venice and National Development of America in attendance and available for interviews include Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, and Rick Miller, president, National Development of America Inc.

Local officials scheduled to attend include Mayor Kevin Anderson, City of Fort Myers; Councilman Johnny Streets, City of Fort Myers; Councilwoman Teresa Watkins Brown, City of Fort Myers; Councilman Fred Burson, City of Fort Myers; and Michele Hylton Terry, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency.