Gora/McGahey Associates in Architecture (www.gora-mcgahey.com) has designed the new Harlem Heights Cultural Arts & Community Center, a 14,000 square-foot facility located on a 5-acre parcel south of Fort Myers.

Both the land and the funds to construct the facility have been donated to The Heights Foundation (www.HeightsFoundation.org).

Site clearing for the facility began in late December.

The center will include a 250-seat cultural arts hall and 6,000 square-foot education wing, connected by a circular lobby. The lobby area will house art and cultural exhibits as well as serve for community receptions.

The center will provide opportunities to learn the performing and creative arts for low-income families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood as well as the surrounding south Lee County communities.

The center’s central location will complete a recreation corridor by linking the existing ball fields and community park with the neighborhood, creating an area accessible by pedestrians, bicycles and automobiles.

Dan McGahey was the principal-in-charge, Bruce Gora served as design principal, and Cristina Meyer, Assoc. AIA was the project manager. Ken Buschle, CSI was the specifications writer for Gora/McGahey.