FORT MYERS-Fla.- A dilapidated exterior masks Mccollum Hall's rich history. In it's heyday, it was a dance hall that attracted stars like Duke Ellington and Louie Armstrong. But since the 1980s, it has sat vacant.

Wednesday the CRA approved funds that will help this million dollar redevelopment project move forward.

Mccollum hall will soon be known as Mccollum place. Fort Myer's Mayor said it will be complimentary to the city's redevelopment efforts. "We expect a restaurant, a meeting hall, barber shop, retail stores, a drugstore."

The idea is to add curb appeal to the corner of MLK and Cranford avenue.

Fort Myers Councilman for Ward 3, Levon Simms, said, "The idea is that Mccollum Hall is a catalyst that will stimulate other redevelopment for the corridor."

Resident, Nancy Simms, said "If they have the restaurants and shops as proposed that will give people a reason to want to come here."