Nonprofit with 100-year, $1 lease with city opens in Fort Myers

A 7,000-square-foot center for children dealing with grief has opened in Fort Myers on a piece of land owned by the city and leased for $1 per year to the organization that will operate it.

The property was developed by the nonprofit Valerie’s House, which raised $3 million to build and prepare the home at 3551 Valerie’s House Way — previously 3551 Shoemaker Lane.

The property, between Schoolhouse Road East and Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard, has been owned by the city since 1992. It was assessed at $141,918 last year.