McDowell Housing Partners Breaks Ground on $63 M “Ekos Creekside” Affordable Housing in Naples

McDowell Housing Partners has officially broken ground on Ekos Creekside, a $63 million affordable housing development in Naples, marking a major step forward in Collier County’s efforts to expand workforce housing.

Situated at 6360 Collier Boulevard along the Tamiami Trail corridor, the seven-story project will deliver 160 apartments reserved for families earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with rents set more than 30% below market rates.

This is McDowell’s fourth affordable housing project in Naples and its 15th statewide.

What Ekos Creekside Offers

• Unit mix includes 98 one-bedrooms, 48 two-bedrooms, and 14 three-bedrooms, covering sizes of approximately 767 to 1,287 square feet.

• Interiors will be upgraded (stainless appliances, granite countertops, in-unit washer/dryer, walk-in closets) and the project aims for National Green Building Standard certification (Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, low-flow fixtures).

• Resident amenities will include a resort-style pool, BBQ stations, fitness center, business/tech center, and a multipurpose clubhouse with media lounge and kitchenette.

Financing, Land & Policy Backing

Collier County used funds from its Workforce Housing Land Acquisition Surtax to secure the land and entered a long-term ground lease with McDowell to keep the property affordable in perpetuity.

The financing stack includes:

• State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL)

• Tax-exempt bonds via Florida Housing Finance Corporation

• Construction loan from Fifth Third Bank

• Permanent financing through Barings LLC

• Equity raised via syndication of 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to CREA, LLC
  

Ekos Creekside is the first project in Collier County to break ground under Florida’s Live Local Act, the state’s new affordable housing policy framework.

Challenges & Community Feedback

Neighboring residents have raised concerns about traffic and safety, especially during construction. One demand was to add an entrance/exit on Collier Boulevard to reduce internal traffic burden, though developers cited regulatory constraints.

Some locals worry that the added density will strain roads, drainage systems, and local services if not addressed proactively.

Because the site is along a major corridor, access, egress, and traffic flow management will be especially critical as the project moves forward.

Timeline & What to Expect

Construction is slated for start as of now, with completion expected in Q2 2027.

As the project advances, watch for:

• Official traffic & infrastructure improvement plans and any mitigation pledges

• Updates on lease-up strategy and priority allocations (e.g., to local workers, essential service employees)

• Pointing to how this project fits into the broader affordable housing pipeline in Naples and Collier County