As spring melts into summer, one can see that there is a great deal of activity in our City. There is a flurry of activity on numerous projects that span from idea to implementation. And with this flurry comes an excitement. An excitement and energy of what will be.

 

First, there is the Naples Beach Club. For those that have not observed, there is a tall crane with an iron claw (for lack of a better description) chewing away at the buildings that used to be the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. Each day it takes away another layer. Each day another element of its history is falling prey to the mechanical eraser. It is sad to a degree as we watch the historic icon dissolve into piles. Yet, out of this pile of rubble, out of this dissolution of history will rise a new icon. A new presence for the City. A veritable phoenix will rise from the ashes to take its place and set a new path. A new five-star hotel, the Four Seasons, will revitalize and position Naples for the future.

 

Additionally, the City has achieved a new level of protection for the green space of the golf course. The City, the Athens Group and the North American Land Trust have agreed to a conservation easement that will protect the 104.6 acres in perpetuity. Even more exciting is that 74.2 of these acres will be open space and will be fixed and contiguous as opposed to the prior agreement where it was 70 acres not defined and floating.

 

And next up is the Gulfshore Playhouse. For those that have traveled Goodlette-Frank as of late, there is a great deal of activity going on at First Avenue South. The foundation for another new icon for the City is taking shape. Soon you will see the cultural gem of Naples taking form, the Gulf Shore Playhouse. The agreement for the public parking garage is moving forward and the design is going out to bid. All is moving for the transformation of what has been an empty lot to a cultural magnate for the City.

 

And lastly, the Naples Community Hospital, NCH. NCH has plans for the Heart Institute. While the NCH Heart Institute is only in the formative stage there is a defined path forward that will take it to achieving its goals.

 

So many exciting transformations for our City.

 

With all these exciting changes to the landscape of the City, there comes challenges. The main challenge has existed and is growing in intensity. That challenge is affordable housing. Affordable housing for first responders, workforce for the businesses and our underserved communities. The solution is an active community with a private-public partnership working together. That is what has made Naples great, and that is what will lead us to a great solution.