photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Mild weather helping Naples Pier project stay on schedule

Mild weather helping Naples Pier project stay on schedule

Liz Freeman | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

The contractor building a new Naples Pier is nearing the halfway mark of installing pilings, with mild weather helping the $26-million project stay on schedule.

As of June 24, contractor Shoreline Foundation has installed 84 pilings out of 193 going in for the new pier, according to Bruce Selfon, Naples assistant city manager who is overseeing the pier project.

The beloved pier at 12th Avenue South sustained extensive damage after Hurricane Ian hit on Sept. 28, 2022.

Video, photos and more information on naplesnews.com.

Mile of momentum. Old 41 rapid transformation reshapes downtown Bonita

Mile of momentum. Old 41 rapid transformation reshapes downtown Bonita

Phil Fernandez | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

The In the Know questions from you about what’s become a one-mile expanse of monster construction along what at one time had been a lonely stretch of Southwest Florida highway are many, such as these.

“Hi Phil. I enjoy reading your column, and now I find myself writing to you about the developments going on in my backyard: Old 41 in downtown Bonita Springs. So much has been done over the years to restore and maintain the ‘downtown’ nature of the village,” said reader Barbara McMahon. “Can you tell us what the plan is for the area from Terry to Bonita Beach Road?

“Right now there is major construction of a luxury apartment complex − Imperial 41 − that spans both sides of the river. And just a block south, the area where the Lee Sheriff had a satellite station is fenced off for construction, and the park across the street is also fenced off. (The) city has developed Old 41 into a lovely walkable road with islands and great landscaping. Will it be overwhelmed?”

Read the full article on naplesnews.com to get answers to questions like “What’s behind Imperial 41 housing in Bonita Springs, Florida?, How did Lee County’s Imperial 41 come together in Bonita?,” and more.

Are you looking for a home in beautiful Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Collier chugs forward with rail-to-trail plan. Who is paying for it?

Collier chugs forward with rail-to-trail plan. Who is paying for it?

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Plans for a major walking and bicycling trail in Southwest Florida are one step closer to reality.

On March 10, Collier commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of finalizing the county’s purchase of about 24 acres — or about 1.5 miles of the Seminole Gulf Railway — to be included in the first phase of a new recreational trail.

Extending into Lee County, the trail, known as BERT (Bonita-Estero Rail Trail), has been years in the making.

After debate, Collier commissioners agreed to fund virtually all of the county’s land purchase with money from Conservation Collier, a voter-approved, taxpayer-funded program established in 2003 to acquire and preserve environmentally sensitive lands.

Read more about BERT on naplesnews.com.

Big boost for SWFL tourism courtesy of New York Times’ ‘places to go’ list

Big boost for SWFL tourism courtesy of New York Times’ ‘places to go’ list

Mark H. Bickel | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

If it’s possible to receive official validation for a comeback from a series of devastating hurricanes, then you could say The New York Times provided a big stamp of approval this week for Southwest Florida.

The Times published its annual “52 to places to go” for 2026, recommending to its audience locations around the world worth visiting this year.

Places like Sorola’s Spain, Winnie-the-Pooh’s England, Assisi, Italy, Dallas, Texas and yes, two islands off the coast of Southwest Florida that most people reading this are very familiar with.

Sanibel and Captiva.

“This recognition proves what we already knew, that Sanibel and Captiva are special, world class, beach destinations that offer unmatched eco-tourism, shelling, and hospitality,” said John Lai, the President and CEO of the Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce. “It’s rare to find destinations like ours that intentionally hold 70% in conservation and that in itself sets us apart from similar vacation options.”

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Do you want a home to come to in southwest Florida on or near to Sanibel and Captiva? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Mild weather helping Naples Pier project stay on schedule

City demolishing the iconic Naples pier. What will the new one look like?

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

The new Naples Pier is under constuction after a formal groundbreaking Jan. 5.

How will the new pier be different than the old one? It will be supported by larger pilings, with diameters of 18 inches as opposed to the previous 14 inches, and it will be 3 feet higher than before.

The existing pier will be demolished. It was badly damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Renderings and a video, provided by the city of Naples show what the new pier will look like.

The new pier will be built stronger and more resilient to future storms, with an accessible design and features to protect local wildlife.

The full article and photos on naplesnews.com.