Update on the Bank Building

First of all, ESHP would like to thank our city and our community for their patience and support of our efforts in rehabilitating the Bank of Everglades Building. This historic structure was built by Barron Gift Collier in 1927 and was the only bank in our county until 1949. It continued to serve our residents as a bank until its charter was moved to Immokalee in 1962, when the county seat was relocated to Naples. However, many businesses continued to operate in this building until 2017, when Hurricane Irma made it uninhabitable. Bob Flick, the owner, worked for years trying to restore the building, but eventually decided to donate it to our historical society in 2021.  

ESHP then took on the challenge of raising the funds through grants and donations. With federal assistance and generous contributions by so many, we were able to make significant progress in removing the non-historic sections of the building and start the rebuilding of the foundation. 

The first step of the construction process was to store the original Dade County pine floors and beadboard covering the first-floor walls. Classic Carpentry, our contractor, specializes in restoring this heart-pine wood. The next step was repairing the foundation. Over the past several months of working through high tides and rainy days, Consel (the same company that worked on City Hall after Hurricane Wilma in 2005) completed the installation of all the micropiles in mid-October. This required dewatering the site. Since it was not possible to use our current drainage system, the only option was to carry the water through above-ground pipes from the building site to the river. This dewatering needs to be continued through the next stage, which is the pouring of the concrete. Commercial Concrete Systems will soon be starting this last, and most important, part of Phase I.  

It is now that we once again reach out to our supporters and donors to join us in completing this project, which will benefit not only the visitors coming to our area to learn about the many amenities, tours, and opportunities, but it will also be a gathering space for the whole community. This rehabilitated building will have enough space to hold events (both inside and outside), educational programs, art exhibits, and much more. ESHP wants this to be a focal point of the community, a place where our community can take pride that they are a part of saving history for our current and future generations. ESHP continues to apply for federal, state, and county grants, but we need your support. For naming opportunities and more information, visit our website www.eshp.org or call me at 239-719-0020. Thank you!