Andrew West
As the sun sets, a great blue heron perches on a rock outcropping with foliage on it at Lakes Park on Friday, May 15, 2026.Andrew West/The News-Press & Naples Daily News /USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Plans are advancing for a members-only beach club in North Naples.
Since Collier commissioners unanimously approved the plans in October, the club has attracted investors and signed up more than 150 members.
Construction is expected to start soon on the multimillion-dollar project, known as Paraiso Beach Club.
“We actually are close to being ready to break ground. We anticipate that will be somewhere in the first quarter of 2026, then we are looking at a 15- to 18-month build time,” said David Tingley, a local businessman and seasoned executive in the financial services industry, who is the driving force behind the project.
If all goes as planned, he said, construction should be completed by the third quarter of 2027 — allowing for a “soft opening” late in the year, inside of the busy season.
Meanwhile, the membership drive is underway, and it’s going better than expected, attracting 160 members already, Tingley said.
To start, the club’s membership will be capped at 650 to 700 —
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Looking for a home close to the beautiful white sand beaches of Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
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