After 9 years of construction, the Fort Myers Housing Authority will dedicate its new administration building today in honor of the late circuit court judge Isaac Anderson Jr.  It’s part of the largest affordable housing development project in the history of Southwest Florida.   Isaac Anderson was Lee County’s first African American judge.  He died in 2007 at age 61.

The Fort Myers native and Dunbar High School graduate was first appointed as a county judge in 1981 by former Florida Governor Bob Graham.  Housing Authority Executive Director Marcus Goodson describes Judge Anderson as an advocate for affordable, quality housing and says he’s excited Anderson’s name will grace the new Administration building.

“To dedicate such a really nice building, a nice edition to this community to someone who was born and raised in this community, had a huge impact in the legal community throughout Lee County and also had a huge impact in the Dunbar community just by his presence and just by the things he brought to the table in terms of promoting affordable housing,” he said.

The ribbon will be cut for two other new buildings in the complex, where residents can find assistance with education, job training and life skills.The new 80 million dollar project, paid for with federal grants and state tax credit programs, will be complete this time next year. There’s already a waiting list for the new buildings.