The Naples City Council unanimously approved a proposal Wednesday to replace the shuttered Sears department store and automotive center with a new state-of-the-art luxury movie theater.
“This is a beautiful project and obviously we are all thrilled and looking forward to it being very successful,” Councilwoman Ellen Seigel said.
In addition to the six-screen theater, the proposed project also includes a new facade and entrance plaza at the west end of the mall, which would sit next to the theater. Other planned improvements include adding more restaurants and a bank, along with all new landscaping.
The new theater, CMX Cinébistro, and entrance plaza would be built on nearly 12 acres at 1900 and 2000 U.S. 41 N. The project will cover approximately 71,000 square feet. Sears is currently 152,000 square feet.
The reduction in square footage will result in an increase of 354 parking spaces, according to Greg Wilfong of Kimley-Horn and Associates, the project’s planning and design engineering firm.
Wilfong also said the project has 15 more parking spaces than what’s required by the city’s code, and there’s additional parking available in the mall’s existing parking garage.
But council members still had some concerns.
“Because this is a (planned development) I want everybody to understand that your PD document allows 4.5 spaces per 1,000 (square feet) when normally a restaurant requires 1 space per 100 (square feet) or 10 spaces per 1,000,” Seigel said.
“So your statement that there’s sufficient parking is really based on the PD and not the normal parking that would be required.”
Like he told the planning board last month, Wilfong said the theater is relatively small, which will help mitigate any parking issues. He also said the theater’s staggered movie screening times will prevent any mass influxes.
“It’s a smaller theater, it’s a lot nicer, it’s not your big AMC where you have 20 (screens). This is a much smaller scale theater,” he said Wednesday. “And not all of the theaters will be getting out at the same time, so you’re not going to have 500 people leaving at once. We just don’t believe (parking) is going to be a concern based on our history and expertise on this.”
Vice Mayor Gary Price also noted that the theater will likely be busier at different hours than the rest of the mall, or even the other businesses proposed as part of the project, and that should also help alleviate parking issues.
“I would think the majority of people would go (to the movies) later in the evening … between 6 and 10 p.m. when I don’t know that the mall traffic is that great,” Price said.
The developer is not requesting any variances or deviations from the city’s code; however, city law requires any changes to a planned development, like Coastland Center, to be approved by the planning board and Naples City Council, said Donald Pickworth, the developer’s attorney.
The planning board unanimously approved the project on April 10 with the condition that the restaurants, which have not been finalized yet, not have drive-thru windows.
However, some council members disagreed with that stipulation.
“I think that really ties our hands,” Councilwoman Michelle McLeod said. “I think that when you put a condition like that it deprives future councils from vetting a request in the future.”
Council unanimously approved the project without the ban on drive-thru windows. Council is expected to take a final vote on the project at its May 18 meeting.
Demolition is set to begin by the end of this month with a tentative opening of late 2020.
“We can’t wait to watch the whole series of Avengers,” Mayor Bill Barnett joked.
Read this post in its entirety see artists renderings, and learn more about CMX Cinemas on https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/local/2019/05/01/naples-council-approves-luxury-movie-theater-coastland-center/3641886002/
Naples has been named the best place to retire in the nation.
The city is one of 10 that Livability.com has named as “Best Places to Retire in 2018.”
Data scientists with Livability.com examined nearly 2,300 cities across the country and factored in more than 20 data points, including safety, affordability, property tax, natural disaster risk, and nursing home accessibility and quality.
“Naples has the beautiful beaches that many retirees dream about, but it’s so much more than a beach town,” said Winona Dimeo-Ediger, managing editor at Livability.com.
Naples scored high in community engagement, outdoor recreation and percentage of residents over 65, according to the report.
“It’s a place that makes it easy to get involved and feel a strong sense of community, whether you’re a newcomer or you’ve lived there for years,” she said.
Naples has been recognized for the past three years as having the highest overall well-being in the U.S. and has ranked in the top 20 for best-performing cities in the nation.
A real estate research firm also named a Naples neighborhood as the “best neighborhood” in the United States earlier this year.
Originally published in the Naples Daily News.
Naples
Naples Fourth of July Parade
10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 4, on Fifth Avenue S., Naples.
Naples Fourth of July Fireworks
9 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at the Naples Pier, 12th Avenue South, Naples.
Hyatt House Independence Day Cookout to Benefit Veterans
6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Hyatt House Naples, 1345 Fifth Avenue S., Naples.
Sugden Park Fourth Celebration in East Naples
A free Fourth of July Celebration is 4 to 10 p.m., Wednesday, July 4, at Sugden Regional Park, 4284 Avalon Drive, Naples.
Fireworks Cruise
7:15 to 10:15 Wednesday, July 4, from Naples, 1200 Fifth Avenue S.; In Fort Myers, The Marina at Edison Ford, 2360 W. First Street. https://www.purefl.com/
Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs Star Spangled Bonita
4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs.
Cape Coral
Cape Coral Red, White and Boom
5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge.
Fort Myers
Fireworks Cruise
7:15 to 10:15 Wednesday, July 4, from Fort Myers – The Marina at Edison Ford, 2360 W. First Street. https://www.purefl.com/
“Miracle on 34th Street”: Through December 23 – various times
Sugden Community Theatre, 701 Fifth Avenue South, Naples
Musical version performed by The Naples Players.
$45 | $10 students and educators
239-263-7990 | naplesplayers.org
“Elf” Jr: 2pm and/or 4pm December 2-11.
Sugden Community Theatre, 701 Fifth Avenue South, Naples
KidzAct players perform the story of Buddy, the elf. $20 | $10 students
239-263-7990 | naplesplayers.org
Advent Noontime Concert: December 6, 13, 20 Noon-12:30pm
Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, 1225 Piper Blvd., North Naples
Concert featuring the church’s new Lively-Fulcher pipe organ, singers and instrumentalists.
Freewill offering
www.vpcnaples.org | 239-597-5410
A Christmas Experience: December 13, 14, 15, 17 – 7pm, December 17 – 4pm
First Baptist Church of Naples, 3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples
Old-town Christmas village festival; children’s stations, hot chocolate, wassail; photo opportunities. Live nativity with 100-voice choir and 25 piece orchestra with “Les Mis” veteran J. Mark McVey as guest artist.
$5 to $10
fbcn.org | 888-795-1559
Holiday Pops: December 14-16 8pm, December 16 2pm , December 17 7pm
Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., North Naples
Naples Philharmonic, Naples Philharmonic Chorus, Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus, Capathia Jenkins, vocalist, Stuart Chafetz, conductor, James Cochran, chorus director.
$60-$103
artisnaples.org
Christmas cookie Sale: December 8 4-6pm, December 9 9-11am
Faith Lutheran Church, 4150 Goodlette-Frank Road North
Night Lights in the Garden: The Naples Botanical Garden will be aglow December 8-23, 26-30, and January 1-3.
Advance tickets required – Cost varies
www.naplesgarden.org
December 2
Festival of Advent Carols: 5pm
Faith Lutheran Church, 4150 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples.
Genesis Ensemble, Brian Aranowski conducting.
FREE
239-434-5811
Handel’s “Messiah”: 7pm
First Presbyterian Church, 250 Sixth Street S., Naples
Naples Philharmonic, Radu Paponiu, conductor; and the Naples Philharmonic Chorus, James Cochran, director.
$35 | $15 students
artisnaples.org | 239-597-1900
“The Nutcracker”: 2pm and 7pm
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers
$29-$75
bbmannpah.com
December 3
Holidays in Paradise: 3pm
Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs
Classical seasonal music; Musical Moments series.
239-495-8989 | artcenterbonita.org
Christmas with the Gulfshore Tenors: 3pm
Naples Italian-American Foundation, 7035 Airport Pulling Road N., North Naples
Standard love songs of the last 50 years plus Christmas favorites.
$30
www.gulfshoreopera.org | 239-529-3925
December 4
A Big Band Holiday Spectacular: 7pm
6000 Goodlette Road, North Naples
Trumpeter Dan Miller, saxophonist Lew Del Gatto with an all-star big band for swinging music, featuring Duke Ellington & Count Basie orchestra arrangements of holiday tunes, followed by a jam session.
$15 | $30 VIP
www.northnaplesumc.com | 239-593-7600
December 5
Holiday Pets on Parade: 5:30-7:30pm
C.J.s on the Bay, 740 N Collier Blvd., No. 105, Marco Island
Pets on parade in holiday finery.
FREE
December 9
Christmas Cookie Decorating: 12-2pm
Miromar Outlets, Estero, near WINK Playland
Kids cookie decorating stations for special holiday treats they can make and eat.
Facebook.com/outletmall | MiromarOutlets.com
Christmas Bazaar: 11am-2pm
The Ladies Auxiliary of The Amvets Post 23, 2727 Bayshore Drive, East Naples
Christmas Bazaar.
Marco Island Christmas Island Style Boat Parade: 6-8pm
Festive holiday lights and decorations adorn boats on parade around the island. The Esplanade on Smokehouse Bay, and Snook Inn on the Marco River offer excellent viewing.
239-250-8348
Captiva Island Boat Parade: 6pm
Captiva Island.
Begins at South Seas Island Resort Marina, through Pine Island Sound to ‘Tween Waters Inn Marina on Roosevelt Channel.
www.captivaholidayvillage.com
Naples Bay Christmas Boat Parade: 6-8:30pm
Good views of the parade at Pinchers Crab Shack, Riverwalk Restaurant, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House Restaurant, Naples City Dock and Naples Landings Park.
239-682-0900
Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade: 5pm
Begins at Bay Water Exclusive Boat Club and Rentals, 5124 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs
239-495-0455
December 10
“The Nutcracker”: 2:30pm and 6:30pm
Golden Gate High School, 2925 Titan Way, Golden Gate Estates
Performed by Etudes de Ballet students.
$25 | $19
edbnaples.com/nutcracker | 239-593-8280
Christmas Concert: 3pm
United Church of Christ, 5200 Crayton Road, Naples
Becky Weese-Rumpf, Jamie and The Carolers. Reception in the Gathering Place.
www.naplesucc.org | 239-261-5469
Advent Concert: 4pm
St. Monica’s Episcopal Church, 7070 Immokalee Road, North Naples
A Service of Lessons and Carols.
Freewill offering
239-591-4550 | stmonicasnaples.org
Chancel Choir Christmas Concert: 4pm
First Presbyterian Church, 250 Sixth Street South, Naples
Music through the centuries.
Freewill offering
239-262-1311 ext. 239 | briceg@fpcnaples.org
Choirs Christmas Concert: 4pm
Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, 1225 Piper Blvd, North Naples
“A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols,” readings by the VandeReaders, choral anthems and congregational carol singing.
Freewill offering.
December 13
Jewish Federation Hanukkah Celebration: 5pm
On the Lawn at Mercato, North Naples. Performance by Naples Klezmer Revival Band, menorah lighting, crafts at the “Kids Corner,” face painting, Israeli folk dancing, children’s performances.
Holiday Brass: 7:30pm
Wang Opera Center, 2408 Linwood Ave., East Naples
Naples Chamber Brass, including members of the Naples Philharmonic, perform sounds of the season; Spectrum Series concert.
$40, |$10 students/children | $50 for VIP seating plus reception with the artists
capacenter.org | 239-775-2800
December 14
Santa Paws: 5-7pm
Village Shops on Venetian Bay, 4200 Gulf Shore Blvd. North, Naples
Bring your dog for photos with Santa.
A Seraphic Fire Christmas: 7pm
Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, 1225 Piper Blvd., North Naples
Seraphic Fire choral/instrumental performance of Christmas music.
$58
seraphicfire.org | 305-285–9060
Tuba Christmas Concert: 6:30-7:30pm
Sugden Plaza, 701 Fifth Avenue South, Naples
Seventy-plus musicians from 11 to 80 on tubas, euphoniums and more.
FREE
239-692-8436
December 15
Holy Rocka Rollaz Christmas Show: 2 and 7pm
First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, 9751 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs
Band plays rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, and more.
$75 and $150 sponsorship tickets; free tickets 10 days before show
www.fpcbonita.org | 239-992-3410
December 16
Cookies and Milk with Santa: 10am-12pm
Mackle Park, 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island
Christmas activities, games, cookies and milk with Santa. Sponsored by Marco Parks and Recreation.
Free; charge for photos with Santa
239-642-0575
Taylor and Friends: 2pm
Lely Presbyterian Church, 110 St. Andrews Blvd., East Naples
Christmas Concert, music director Taylor L. Ferranti and his wife, Laura, with some special musical friends.
Freewill offering
lelychurch.com | 239-774-6151
Christmas Carol Concert: 5pm
Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church, 553 Galleon Drive, Naples
The chamber choir singS Christmas favorites WITH harp, flute, pipe organ and harpsichord. Audience singalong.
FREE
239-262-6581 | trinitybythecove.com
Applebee’s Toys for Tots Fundraiser: 8:30-10:30am
Southwest Florida restaurants.
Complimentary breakfast; goodies, door prizes, photos with Santa Claus.
Tickets to Breakfast with Santa are $10 each. Call or visit a local Applebee’s. Advanced reservations are required as seating is limited. Children younger than 2 admitted free.
applebees.com
Christmas Island-Style Street Parade: 6:30pm
Along San Marco Road, Marco Island
FREE
“The Nutcracker”: 7pm
Gulf Coast High School Performing Arts Center, 7878 Shark Way, North Naples
Naples Ballet performs.
239-732-1000
December 17
Christmas Carol Concert: 5pm
Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church, 553 Galleon Drive, Naples
The chamber choir singS Christmas favorites WITH harp, flute, pipe organ and harpsichord. Audience singalong.
FREE
239-262-6581 | trinitybythecove.com
“The Nutcracker”: 2pm
Gulf Coast High School Performing Arts Center, 7878 Shark Way, North Naples
Naples Ballet performs.
239-732-1000
