Thousands flocked to Naples once again for the US Open Pickleball Championships where a handful of newcomers made their respective marks with gold and silver medals Here are the results from the five championship matches on championship Saturday May 3 at the East Naples Community Park for the ninth edition of the US Open Pickleball Championships Ryler DeHeart and Richard Livornese: A close 14-12 game in the first set proved to be just enough for Munro and Yang both 21-year-old prodigies who are on the come up in the pickleball world The two notched an 11-5 win in the second set to end the match It was far less anticlimactic than their semifinal contest against Armaan Bhatia and Harsh Mehta who has only been on the circuit for two years lauded Munro for getting him into the game and the opportunity Jack took a chance on me in this tournament Despite the loss from DeHeart and Livornese the two managed to rally down 9-3 in the first set and it always helps when your partner's eyes are unreal," Livornese said Women's Pro DoublesAnna Leigh Waters and Leigh Waters def Jillian Braverman and Megan Fudge: Despite falling short with tennis legend Andre Agassi in the second round of action in mixed doubles Anna Leigh Waters wouldn't be denied of winning women's pro doubles with her mother The mother-daughter duo cruised against Jillian Braverman and Fudge securing back-to-back titles in women's pro doubles set the tone early with her mother and put the pressure on Braverman and Fudge An 11-4 second set ended the match in just under 29 minutes after a valiant effort from the second-place finishers Riley Bohnery and Richard Livornese: Munro and Fudge each managed to cap off the night with another gold medal as the pair defeated Riley Bohnery and Richard Livornese "I'm just serving and returning and she's doing everything else.. This was one of the best crowds all week." Bobbi Oshiro: All coming down to capitalization off mistakes Fudge made things look somewhat easy against Bobbi Oshiro early winning 11-4 and 11-7 after a handful of unforced errors ultimately cost Oshiro the match Fudge kept Oshiro on the run more often than not but Fudge's precision was ultimately too much in the blistering heat "I just feel like I'm playing chess out there," Fudge said in a post-match interview my coach for giving me notes every morning on how I'm going to attack this day Definitely credit to him in a singles game that allowed me to stay calm and execute his gameplan." Grayson Goldin: Over the course of the match it was clear who the more superior and complete player was Hayworth secured his first gold at the US Open in an 11-3 Hayworth often capitalized on facets of the game where Goldin lacked moving him side to side and capitalizing on mistakes at the net Hayworth played a far different match than last year where he lost to Jack Foster for the title the finals was probably one of my worst matches all year," Hayworth said "I was not gonna come out here and play a bad match It wasn't the first match between the two sides this year as they've both met at least six times this season thus far with plenty of familiarity throughout the contest "We warmed up together this morning," Hayworth said "We definitely know each other's games and it can always go either way." Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram Naples-based DeAngelis Diamond and Miami-based McDowell Housing Partners will break ground this summer on two affordable housing communities in Fort Myers and East Naples adding more than 300 affordable housing units with a combined construction value of more than $75 million will include 144 affordable housing units across five garden-style residential buildings and a central clubhouse at 3501 Evans Ave. west of Metro Parkway and a half mile south of Lee Tran Boulevard garden-style residential building and a clubhouse Both developments will be delivered under the guidelines of Florida Housing’s 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and Ekos on Evans in Fort Myers is also receiving support through Lee County’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding designated for areas impacted by Hurricane Ian McDowell Housing Partners was the first developer approved in 2024 by Collier County commissioners to use county infrastructure surtax dollars for an affordable housing project The Board of County Commissioners approved up to $3.75 million in financing for what was formerly Ekos Collier McDowell’s fourth planned project in the county Collier County voters approved a surtax to fund capital improvement projects which received $20 million from the 1-cent tax CEO and executive director of The Housing Alliance Inc said he sees Ekos on Creekside as a great step forward “We’ve had a number of multifamily developments where we’ve had local commitments at some higher income levels serving individuals earning up to 80% of area median income and even between 80% and 100% of area median income but we’ve had a very minimal number of units that have been produced recently that are going to serve some of the lower-income thresholds,” Puchalla said He said demand for another lower-income McDowell Housing Partners development the 82-unit Ekos Santa Barbara in East Naples had been much higher than the availability “Having another 160 units come into the marketplace to help with those lower-income workforce categories will certainly be welcome,” Puchalla said He cited recent statistics showing that 54% of working households in Collier County are earning $45,000 or less In announcing the Fort Myers and Naples developments director of preconstruction for DeAngelis Diamond said the company is “honored and thrilled to collaborate with McDowell Housing Partners on these impactful projects that will benefit our Southwest Florida communities.” “From the very beginning of the preconstruction phase McDowell Housing Partners’ unwavering dedication to creating high-quality affordable housing for local residents has been the guiding force behind our team’s efforts,” Anderson said “We’re eager to break ground and continue working closely with MHP’s construction team to bring these developments to life.” He estimated that construction on Ekos on Evans in Fort Myers would be complete in late 2026 Typical ebbs and flows of the single-family home market do not have much of an impact on the ultra Four restaurant chains and a cake shop will join seven other businesses coming this year to the new Tree Farm.. the May 5 opening of the Hospital for Special Surgery at NCH takes the health care.. Not only has Chef Brian Roland physically and emotionally returned to public life in Southwest Florida after his life-altering tragedy.. Beeline is counting on thirsty folks making a beeline to its new upscale cocktail bar at Mercato in North Naples... The 72-unit Verandas III opened and is fully occupied on Airport Road marking the final phase in the redevelopment of.. — A Collier County deputy shot and killed a dog on Sunday afternoon after the Sheriff's Office said the dog charged at them Neighbors in the area say this isn't the first time they have encountered the dogs they call aggressive Fox 4 Senior Reporter Kaitlin Knapp explains what she uncovered about the investigation: Collier County deputies say they got eight 911 calls about four dogs chasing people someone reported that they were trying to go after children "These German Shepherds are like attacking us to kill "I’m afraid someone’s going to get attacked...it’s only a matter of time," another caller said When deputies got to the area of Pearl Harbor Drive the sheriff's office says as the deputy was talking to a neighbor one of the dogs charged at them in "an aggressive manner." The sheriff's office says the deputy shot and killed the dog because they were "faced with an imminent threat to his safety." The deputy was not hurt Fox 4 obtained exclusive photos and videos of the dogs before the shooting Records Knapp discovered say a woman was also attacked after the dogs ran into her garage the day of the shooting according to the code enforcement complaint lives on the same road where the shooting took place who did not want to go on camera out of fear of retaliation say this isn't the first time the same dogs have been out the neighbors called 911 and reported the dogs they just attacked another dog that was walking on a leash," one caller said They later went on to say they helped the person and guided them through their backyard "Three German Shepherds come charging at us," the person said many said the sheriff's office and animal services did not come out on Saturday She asked Collier County if the other dogs were seized have they been to the home before or if any criminal charges will be filed a spokesperson said they are "unable to release any information and will refrain from further comment until the investigation concludes." an owner can face violations if an animal is running "at large." Plans for a new Costco in Southeast Naples are quietly inching ahead While Costco has yet to confirm its interest it has two companion petitions working their way through Collier County's development review and approval process both petitions will require approval from a county hearing examiner One request is for an insubstantial change to a planned unit development The other is for a waiver to the separation requirements for gas stations "Neither can be approved without the other’s approval," said Sean Sammon the county planner assigned to the project It appears the project will not require approval by the Collier County commission That's because gas stations and general merchandise stores are already allowed within the Hacienda Lakes PUD where the land sits The location is a forested site at the corner of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Snake Hammock Road A map of the area on LoopNet including a director of real estate development had their first meeting with county staff about the project some thought Costco might have changed its mind A site plan for the building still has not been submitted to the county A spokesperson for Costco could not immediately be reached for comment the company says it does not comment on locations that will be "opening more than three months from today." It has announced six new locations scheduled to open in early 2025 More: Costco opening new store locations in early 2025: See the list of warehouses A preliminary plan provided to Collier County shows a project that fits Costco's mold: A roughly 158,000-square-foot store Costco filed its other two petitions in October starting the county's internal review process A second review of both requests should be completed by Feb a neighborhood meeting about the project is tentatively scheduled for Feb That meeting is required before the petitions can go before the hearing examiner An independent hearing examiner typically hears smaller land use matters in the county considering the evidence presented and then making decisions based on fact and law earliest hearing this may be scheduled for would be mid-March but it’s all still to be determined," Sammon said There is a 7 Eleven gas station roughly 130 feet from the proposed Costco The county's land development code requires a 500-foot separation between service stations The approval of an insubstantial change to the PUD is needed to allow for alternative architectural standards different from what the community and the land development code require Costco's requested relief includes exceptions to architectural glazing standards as well as to landscaping and sign requirements In a recent update to Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro via email head of the county's Growth Management and Community Development Department shared the status of the retailer's two petitions that are making their way through the review process a petition for site plan approval would typically be handled at the "administrative level," anyway French promised to provide monthly updates to LoCastro The project sits in the commissioner's district and he's heard from neighbors who are both for and against it "I continue to follow Costco's 'request' for construction closely," he said "The way forward 'depends' on what they turn in to the county any variances they 'might' ask for (or not) .. a commercial leasing and sales agent for IPC in Naples said he's not at all surprised to see Costco moving ahead "I think they will be able to capture the south Naples and Marco market from there," he said of the site The location would be a second for Costco in Collier County north of Pine Ridge Road and west of Airport-Pulling Road a new family-owned local restaurant in East Naples The restaurant’s grand opening will be 11 a.m The centerpiece of D’Peru’s menu is its juicy Pollo a la Brasa rotisserie chicken which is celebrated in Peru with its own holiday the national dish is loved for its tender meat and crispy skin the chicken is marinated in flavorful seasonings which we have not been able to find in Naples here at least because our ovens come from Peru,” said Dania Bedoya Puertas The North Naples couple notes that Peruvian ovens are fueled by charcoal Bedoya is the creator of most of the recipes She studied culinary arts in Peru and her family owned a chicken store — or polleris — many years ago in the South American country “She was raised in that kind of business,” said Cellini Machiavello-Phillips a longtime local chef assisting the local couple in launching D’Peru who has a background preparing Peruvian and Italian cuisines for more than 30 years will serve as general manager and a chef at D’Peru with Chef Bedoya and other experienced cooks joining him in the kitchen who originally wanted to name the restaurant De Peru which means “from Peru.” One of her sisters suggested she name it D’Peru Peruvian cuisine has grown in popularity for more than a decade in the Naples area appeal to the meat-and-potatoes roots of transplanted Midwesterners so they are finding out that the Peruvian cuisine is good,” Machiavello-Phillips said “There are a few restaurants here where you can go in and try the authentic Peruvian cuisine That’s the whole idea with us here at D’Peru We want to have authentic Peruvian cuisine.” halved or quartered with a choice of sides “Our chicken in Peru mostly comes with fries and a Peruvian-style salad but we also have other options,” he said white rice and a Peruvian type of seasoned fried rice.” “We want to invite everybody to try our chickens and the different dishes that we have,” Bedoya said a vacant retail unit at 1233 Airport-Pulling Road was transformed into a new restaurant space in the center of Promenade Plaza on the southeast corner of Airport-Pulling Road and Estey Avenue That’s the same retail strip that already is home to other eateries D’Peru is open daily for lunch and dinner 11 a.m D’Peru plans to eventually be able to offer beer 41 East in Naples died early Sunday after crashing into a tree and fence The vehicle burst into flames after vearing off the road and overturning near Southwest Boulevard The driver was pronounced dead at the scene The make and model of the vehicle were not immediately available There was no information how fast the driver was going The Picklr is proposing a 15-court indoor pickleball complex in East Naples for the 9.6-acre property on the southeast corner of Collier Boulevard and Beck Boulevard The indoor courts will have “outdoor surfacing,” a proprietary court surface textured like an outdoor court The Picklr’s website shows amenities for its “Naples South” location at 3800 Beck Blvd locker rooms with showers and private areas for parties and events The Utah-based company promotes league play court reservations and artificial intelligence coaching The proposed project is still in the development process which includes a neighborhood information meeting at 5:30 p.m March 18 in the Collier County South Regional Library meeting room The required meeting regards the proposed amendment to the Forest Glen of Naples planned unit development to permit up to 36,720 square feet of indoor recreational facilities while retaining the overall maximum commercial square footage of 100,000 square feet More than 58 acres in East Naples will be rezoned to allow up to 400 apartments or 186 condos with affordable housing unanimously approved a rezoning petition by Tamiami Trail East Acreage LLC for the Tamiami 58-Acre Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development to allow up to 100,000 square feet of commercial and light industrial uses in addition to an 80,000-square-foot miniwarehouse on 58.22 acres Commissioners approved a related petition to amend the county growth management plan to create the Tamiami Trail 50-Acre Mixed-Use Subdistrict The small-scale growth management plan amendment must be approved by the state Department of Commerce A staff report said approval will help the county address the continued need for affordable housing “The need for affordable housing units is great in Collier County as the University of Florida Shimberg Center for Housing reports that there are currently 51,368 cost-burdened households in Collier County with 25,687 of those spending more than 50% of their monthly income on housing expenses,” the report said noting the average rent has “risen sharply doubling over the past 10 years to $3,234 in 2024.” about 1,000 feet west of its intersection with Recycling Way It’s across the street from Esplanade by the Islands which also sat as the Environmental Advisory Commission One resident spoke about safety and traffic volume The staff report shows the rezoning will allow up to 6.9 apartments per acre with 30% reserved for people earning at or below 100% of the area median income — $104,300 — or up to 186 owner-occupied condos with 15% — 28 condos — for people earning up to and including 120% of AMI A restrictive covenant will be recorded on the affordable for-sale units requiring them to be sold only to qualifying households for 30 years after the certificate of occupancy is issued The developer plans an actual building height of 55 feet for the residential buildings and 60 feet for commercial structures; zoned heights are 5 feet lower The developer plans to add an enhanced 20-foot-wide landscape buffer with trees and hedges along Tamiami Trail East a 10-foot-wide buffer with trees along property lines not adjacent to a preserve; and is seeking a deviation of 10 feet less from the minimum required 60-foot right of way Nearly 7 acres of native vegetation must be preserved utilities and other infrastructure could handle the additional traffic Two neighborhood information meetings took place before public hearings and there was no opposition Before issuance of the first site-development plan or subdivision plat or plan a listed species management plan is required for the management of the bald eagle State Sunbiz records show Tamiami Trail East Acreage LLC is managed by developer David E Both left jobs at Toll Brothers to create FL Star Construction in 2015 They’re represented by land-use attorney Rich Yovanovich and the project team includes RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture which has offices in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs No soup for you — at least not from Naples’ “Soup Nazi” anymore Marci Redding has retired after more than 35 years of berating indecisive customers at Larry’s Lunch Box Delicatessen in East Naples While not resorting to the dismissive extreme of “The Soup Nazi” character on the “Seinfeld” sitcom Redding did not suffer fools gladly at her service counter “If they looked up at that board that was on the wall for 35 years they were getting yelled at,” daughter Kimberly Redding Johnston said That’s not the menu,” Marci Redding would snap at customers holding up the lunch line “She didn’t have time to even discuss or try to have that customer-service attitude because she was so busy doing so many other things She was wearing the hat of a cook and a prep person and a dishwasher and a phone answerer and a cashier and a waitress,” her daughter said if they didn’t stand where she wanted them to stand who cherished her role and the persona she created over the years both retired at the end of March after selling the original location of Larry’s Lunch Box they co-founded in 1987 who has been the chef at the popular eatery for five years Ortiz purchased the local business from the Reddings in an asset sale that included the Larry’s Lunch Box name and recipes The restaurant near the Collier County Government Center at 2650 Airport Road S will operate with a slightly different name — Larry’s Lunch Box Catering Corp — while the second location of Larry’s Lunch Box Delicatessen at 870 Neapolitan Way in Naples will continue to be operated as usual by the Reddings’ daughter and her husband While Larry and Marci Redding don’t have specific retirement plans they agreed that it was time to step away from their restaurant business it’s going to be quite an adjustment for them,” their daughter said We used to go there after school,” Kimberly Redding Johnston said we’d have little parties and stuff there.” The mom-and-pop deli features a kosher-style menu of specialty sandwiches soups and traditional deli options named after family and friends “The Reuben is by far the most popular sandwich on the menu,” she said We have a specialty one on the menu that’s a choice between corned beef or pastrami and then it’s got Swiss cheese coleslaw and Russian dressing and like a schmear of chopped liver That one’s kind of big and it’s a signature sandwich for here because you’re not finding that anywhere else.” The old Larry’s under new ownership has a new logo and and website at larryslunchbox.net Ortiz and his family will continue to serve Larry’s favorite sandwiches soups and salads plus some new menu additions the East Naples business includes catering nothing is changing at the Reddings’ longtime Neapolitan Way location off U.S A 300-home apartment complex with 90 income-restricted affordable units is planned for East Naples where county planners agree the need for workforce housing is dire 19 unanimously recommended amending the land-use code to allow 300 multifamily rental apartments with affordable housing and up to 64,000 square feet of commercial uses on 24.41 acres at the northwest corner of Tamiami Trail East and Greenway Road Planning commissioners also recommended rezoning the land from rural-agricultural to a mixed-use planned-unit-development zoning district called Tamiami Trail Greenway Road MPUD The recommendation will go before the Board of County Commissioners for approval Jan Florida Department of Commerce must approve the land-use amendment which increases allowable building density “The current land development code does not allow enough density for there to be economically viable projects that would include income-restricted units,” land-use attorney Rich Yovanovich told planning commissioners noting this request is consistent with others that were approved “… This project addresses what the county commission has directed to address affordable housing.” Noting “everybody acknowledges” Collier County has an affordable-housing crisis Yovanovich said the apartments would allow teachers firefighters and police officers “to actually live here.” Planning staff noted the need for affordable housing is great in Collier County A University of Florida Shimberg Center for Housing study shows 51,368 cost-burdened households countywide this year with 25,687 households spending more than 50% of their monthly income on housing expenses; 30% is the recommended maximum the county’s average rent has doubled to $3,234 this year 30% of the apartments will be set aside as income-restricted units with 45 renting for 100% and below the area median income and 45 apartments renting for 80% AMI and below one renter could earn no more than $58,480 or $66,800 if two wage-earners lived together one renter could earn no more than $73,100 rents would range from $1,566 for a one bedroom apartment a two-bedroom apartment would be $2,348 and $2,713 for three The developer agreed to market the affordable apartments to essential-services personnel and military veterans The county restrictions and commitments will be in effect for 30 years The buildings would be up to three stories high A study by the developer shows numerous health care employers and Naples Comprehensive Health and Arthrex facilities are located within 15 to 30 minutes away county planning staff agree there’s a need for additional housing opportunities and commercial development to serve future residents in that area They noted the traffic and stormwater infrastructure over the next five years can accommodate it The proposed apartment complex is north of Fiddler’s Creek and Charlee Estates and other developments planned or being built nearby 309-unit Elanto and a 750-unit complex at Fiddler’s Creek A county planner said they’d received no calls or public opposition to the proposed development Yovanovich noted there’s a 7-Eleven at the corner of Greenway Road and U.S 41 and a Publix supermarket across the street “We have a transportation related commitment that we will pay our fair share toward intersection improvements,” Yovanovich said adding it includes the intersection build-out and a traffic signal “We will be helping to offset some of the costs that Fiddler’s Creek is incurring to put in the traffic signal at Greenway and 41.” Because about 40% of renters in the development may require an emergency shelter during a hurricane Emergency Management Director Dan Summers requested the developer provide a $48,000 45-kilowatt rental-grade diesel towable generator that can be used during a hurricane such as at a school shelter or to power a lift station Generators or several thousand dollars’ worth of cots is a standard county request for large developments including residential and agricultural properties If the rezoning and amendment are approved Investment Properties Corporation of Naples (Realtors David Stevens and Robert Carroll) will purchase the land The project team also includes engineering firms Hole Montes Trebilcock Consulting Solutions transportation engineers Davies Duke and environmental consultant Passarella & Associates Q: Any credibility to the “news” that the plans for a new Costco down on Collier Boulevard have fallen through A: No news may not be good news when it comes to the proposal to build a Costco Wholesale store in East Naples but the inactivity doesn’t necessarily mean anything at this point Not much has changed since the site plan became public early this year for a 158,146-square-foot commercial building with fueling stations on the southeast corner of Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Collier Boulevard immediately north of Physician Regional Medical Center-Collier Boulevard “Costco’s at step zero,” said Rick LoCastro the Collier County commissioner for that district but social media reports are unfounded that the national big-box membership retailer abandoned a proposal for a second store in the Naples area “There is so much misinformation out there about Costco,” LoCastro said “There’s a lot of bad misinformation on social media by people who don’t know what’s going on.” Costco corporate representatives met with county development staff in January about a proposed big-box warehouse store with gasoline pumps in the Hacienda Lakes master planned unit development County staff and the fire district gave the company a list of issues regarding its plans to build there “What they normally build won’t fit on that property,” he said “They had nine months to take a look at our feedback and then come back to the county That doesn’t mean it’s dead; it just means if they come back to us in nine months and one day they have to pay an additional fee to reopen the planning request.” regardless of what some cashiers at Costco in North Naples have told some members “News flash: Costco hasn’t even bought that land subject to county approval for construction We are pretty far away from any type of approval,” he said The feedback we gave them was so detailed that I’m sure their chain of command is so thick that they have to go back to their architect and engineers.” Local residents are mixed about the prospect of Costco opening a store at 8392 Collier Blvd to provide some relief to its longtime busy location on Naples Boulevard in North Naples “One thing I’ve had to tell citizens is that land is already zoned for something commercial and something large,” LoCastro said “I’m not saying it’s an automatic for Costco but if Costco can downsize and fit their plans and have all of the agencies involved well before county commissioners — fire district the county Growth Management team — if they submitted something that got approved it would never come to county commissioners.” Hacienda Lakes MPUD was created in October 2011 when more than 2,260 acres of mostly agricultural land was rezoned by a supermajority vote of the county commission The project was permitted to include 1,760 homes 70,000 square feet of professional and medical office space 140,000 gross square feet of business park or educational facility and a school Hacienda Lakes of Naples conveyed a tract of land to the Collier County Public Schools for a future elementary school Across Rattlesnake Hammock Road to the north FL Star Development already is developing multiple projects including the 2,200-home Hacienda Lakes development the Hammock Park Apartments with 265 luxury units and the Hammock Park retail center Proposed to front Costco on more than 32 acres along Collier Boulevard are at least four outparcels ranging from 2.2 to 1.3 acres “If they color a little bit outside the lines and they want to ask for approval for something that is a little bit controversial it wouldn’t be until next year,” LoCastro said They’re floating a proposal for a possible build on a piece of property they don’t even own They have first right of refusal with the owners of that property to say ‘We want to exhaust every possible option with the county but if it looks like we’re banging a square peg in a round hole we’re gone and you can put the for sale sign back.’” to stop somebody from building something because it’s not popular,” LoCastro said I got an awful lot of emails from people — some that live right near where it could go — who do want it Q: What’s the story with the former Onyx development on Santa Barbara It’s been vacant for more than three years although some of the initial buildings have been torn down recently A: The 8.7 acres on Santa Barbara Boulevard formerly planned for the Onyx multifamily residential community has new owners and new plans Polly Ave LLC of Miami Beach sold the East Naples real estate to Boca Raton-based Naples Preserve Villas LLC for $5.22 million on Jan The new owner plans the 48-unit Santa Barbara Place Villas according to development plans filed with Collier County Growth Management thank goodness,” said Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro “The new owner tore down all the structures that were built by the previous person because they sat for so long and it’s not what the new owner wanted to build anyway He still has to apply for all the permits and we have to look at the design and everything.” The original owner started construction on two of the eight two-story townhome buildings and the Onyx clubhouse but construction stopped more than three years ago The county leaned hard on the new owner to tear down the stalled development The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com. 11348 TTE LLC purchased 10.03 acres of vacant land at 11348 Tamiami Trail E in East Naples from KC Naples Tamiami LLC for $7.5 million Colorful murals on a high rise in East Naples that were found to violate county code are disappearing with the sweep of paint rollers The paint over in off-white on the interior side mural of the Ascent high rise under construction at Davis Boulevard and U.S A worker high up on the scaffolding with roller in hand could not say how long it will take to cover up two matching murals on two sides of the building The massive murals became a source of controversy in the community with critics describing them as a "Kleenex box." Collier County deemed the vibrant floral murals as a code violation with Commissioner Dan Kowal saying last fall they were effectively banned in the county years ago The developers of the luxury apartment development agreed in September to replace the murals with more low-key paintings in grey and white with a geometric pattern That would be in keeping with what county staff originally saw in the architectural plans The murals were designed by a well-known artist who goes by the name DAAS whose district includes the site and who handled the issue on the county’s behalf previously said he was told multiple contractors were working on the high rise and one hand didn’t know what the other was doing and the murals went up by mistake The Collier County Commission avoided having to take legal action to get the murals removed or at least having to pursue a code enforcement case against the developers of the Ascent The Ascent is a joint venture involving the Dolben Co. It is a mixed use building with 270 luxury apartments that will include a restaurant and shops A grand opening party is scheduled for April 3 The project is part of the larger redevelopment The developer can't apply for the certificate of occupancy "until the mural is removed and repainted with the approved rendering," said Sarina Francis an executive coordinator for Commissioner Kowal a nonprofit whose mission is to encourage growth and development through creative placemaking isn't happy about the removal of the murals She started the petition on change.org to save them She lives and owns a jewelry store in the area "Murals transform communities by building relationships located in a designated redevelopment zone with a mural overlay marks a sad day for Collier County and the art community because this mural did exactly what it was supposed to do," she said in an email She added: "The win here is that it's forever branded as the 'Kleenex box,' and the building is now iconic for the lack of a mural rather than the change it brought to this vacant corner While this building had art that can be viewed by the public it's art that was created on a private building with private funds in a redevelopment zone that allows for private murals." she stated: "Collier County needs to embrace the role of public art in development Murals are more than just decoration; they foster collaboration and inspire change which is exactly what this vacant land needed." She pointed out that the county does not have an architectural review board and she questioned the "approval process." "There are two versions of the 'approved' mural on the design renderings Both generated by AI on the submitted county document rendering it will be Collier County's first AI designed mural in whatever design they choose to paint," Jaron said said he was tired of seeing the murals as he drove by the site "The only comment to be made is that the building plus the 'Kleenex box mural,' do not belong in our paradise we call Naples," he said Less than two weeks after hundreds of residents packed a neighborhood information meeting to protest conceptual plans for a second location in Collier County submitted formal development plans earlier this month for a new store proposed on the southeast corner of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road More expansive than shown in initial plans the 162,671-square-foot Costco South Naples store would be more than 14,000 square feet larger than the Costco that has operated for 25 years on Naples Boulevard in North Naples The new warehouse with a fuel station is proposed on nearly 22 acres of undeveloped heavily wooded land that is part of the Hacienda Lakes mixed-use planned unit development an additional 4 acres of commercial outparcels with more than 45,000 square feet of building area are earmarked along Collier Boulevard for other businesses that have yet to be determined Before the Costco proposal advances to public hearings the complex project will be scrutinized and modified by the county’s Growth Management and Community Development staff for an unspecified amount of time the proposal will be on the Planning Commission’s agenda before it is received by the Board of County Commissioners “It’s not scheduled because when the package from Costco went to the county staff last Monday [March 3] the county staff has as much time as they need to dissect it and converse with Costco,” said County Commissioner Rick LoCastro Instead of the Costco project being decided by a single hearing examiner LoCastro’s motion that the Costco issue be heard by the seven-member Planning Commission and the five-member County Commission was unanimously approved Feb and all the citizens that come to the podium are not just going to be talking to one guy,” LoCastro said it’s not going to be because we streamlined it or rubber stamped it or we pushed it through.”   Costco seeks relief for eight deviations from the county land development code The most notable deviation is the 132-foot separation between the future Costco and existing 7-Eleven properties on either side of Rattlesnake Hammock Road because county code mandates a minimum 500-foot separation between facilities with fuel pumps Other deviations involve the proposed warehouse’s maximum signage square footage plant trellises satisfying façade variations and glazing requirements parking lot landscaping requirements and light poles sharing landscape islands with trees LoCastro said rezoning often is the biggest hurdle for a development project but this property is already zoned commercial “The debate is not going to be about zoning It’s going to be about these variances and several other things,” said LoCastro safety and setbacks also will be questioned and studied An entrance with a traffic signal and a right-in/right-out drive with right-turn lanes are proposed on Rattlesnake Hammock Road for Costco Two access drives would connect the outparcel lots with the Costco lot Q: Any idea what’s happening with the Rib City/Denny’s at Towne Center in East Naples A: Two years later than originally planned Denny’s restaurant chain is preparing a mid-April launch in the former longtime outparcel space of Rib City at Naples Towne Centre South on U.S vice president and chief operating officer of RREMC Restaurants LLC The West Palm Beach company operates about 60 restaurants in five states — including 23 in Florida — making it the third largest Denny’s franchisee in the nation “We are looking at an opening date of April 14,” Cuda messaged A flyer on the door of the restaurant announces the hirings for all positions The restaurant’s local launch will mark a return to the Naples market for Denny’s which has more than 1,400 locations and is known for a 24-hour diner menu with “Grand Slam” breakfast specials Despite the planned closing of more than 175 lower-volume locations within 2024 and 2025 Denny’s opened 14 franchised restaurants in 2024 and remodeled many others according to the company’s annual earnings report The brand has plans to open even more restaurants this year The local opening will reintroduce the Denny’s national casual dining concept to the Naples market after 18 years Collier County’s only location closed in early 2007 after operating for more than 15 years at 3350 U.S a space now home to Blueberry’s restaurant The new Denny’s will replace the freestanding 4,200-square-foot Rib City location that permanently closed in mid-2020 after operating for more than 20 years Naples Towne Centre has other new businesses opening soon vice president of leasing for center owner RMC Property Group Tropical Smoothie Cafe is building out a 1,750-square-foot outparcel space that most recently was Benzer Pharmacy Dunkin’ Donuts also had a location there years ago The adjoining 2,000-square-foot unit is home to Renew-YU a health and beauty spa that recently opened in the Publix-anchored center Planet Fitness muscled its way into the 21,000-square-foot space that Save A Lot food store vacated years ago in the adjoining Naples Towne Centre North The fitness center is targeted to open March 28 at 3725 Tamiami Trail E after relocating from its longtime spot a mile away in Gulf Gate Plaza at Bayshore Drive and U.S a family owned and operated gym in Southwest Florida is soon replacing Planet Fitness at 2650 Tamiami Trail E This sixth regional location for Smash Fitness will offer a variety of equipment an anchor tenant may be coming soon to replace Big Lots which closed its store in the retail center in late 2024 “We’re working on something but I can’t really disclose it right now,” Hayoun said — Naples is known for its wealth and seasonal visitors but one neighborhood has been home to the city’s Black community for generations tucked away on the east end of 5th Avenue North “There was a time when Black people couldn’t own real estate,” said Vincent Keeys “But when that opportunity finally came in the ‘60s that’s where they allowed them to purchase homes.” WATCH TO SEE WHAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD LOOKS LIKE TODAY: River Park East lies within the City of Naples Developed in the 1960’s as a segregated neighborhood to house Black workers River Park is one of Naples’ oldest neighborhoods and still home to a majority of its African American residents Audrey Anthony moved to River Park East in 1968 after years of segregation and having to relocate multiple times We just lived in River Park apartments until my husband and I got married in 1964 and we kinda saved our pennies because we wanted a home River Park was a community of working-class families it was a neighborhood of what you would call blue-collar workers,” Anthony said Keeys said the city designed the neighborhood so people could live close enough to walk to their jobs “The city built smaller homes specifically for the African American community,” Keeys said “That’s how River Park East and River Park West were developed—so people could live close enough to walk to work.” those same homes are selling for over $500,000 “It’s a prime location—real estate there sits on a peninsula While some see opportunity in the neighborhood’s growth longtime residents like Anthony worry that River Park’s history is fading it was totally African American—I say Black,” Anthony said She knows change is inevitable but feels a sense of loss “I know things change—you can’t expect them to stay the same forever,” Anthony said Q: Do you know why La Rosa Pizza in East Naples closed A: After operating La Rosa Pizzeria for more than 15 years owners Bill and Alda Rosa decided to sell their local business and restaurant space last year because of their age and many years of working tirelessly in the restaurant industry wanted to thank Southwest Florida for 15 great years of meeting so many great individuals,” Rosa said Bronx-raised Rosa had operated the local pizzeria since 2008 in the retail strip known as Pelican Larry’s Plaza along the north side of Davis Boulevard Declining health prevented him from maintaining the grueling lifestyle necessary to own and operate a mom-and-pop place New owners renovated the 1,584-square-foot end unit and converted the restaurant into a breakfast-lunch spot at 7785 Davis Blvd. who operate a similar family restaurant in Michigan hope to launch their new restaurant — GG Brunch Haus — near the end of the year in the Naples area After looking at a few commercial units for sale Albana Hoxha knew immediately that the former pizzeria was the right place to buy The restaurant features a cozy interior and patio dining around an outdoor fountain in an adjacent courtyard Hoxha already decided Naples was the right place for another family restaurant because the area reminds her of where she operates restaurants in Michigan and her native Albania and I fell in love with Naples,” she said The family has operated the Dexter Riverview Cafe a popular breakfast-lunch restaurant near Ann Arbor Hoxha created the name GG Brunch Haus for the new restaurant using the first initials of the names of her husband who started his food-and-beverage career at restaurants and hotels in Europe “And the Brunch Haus brings people together in the morning to have a cup of coffee and enjoy the moment and Gezim and Geraldo Hoxha will be chefs in the kitchen while Albana will run the front of the house eagerly welcoming customers during the cafe’s operating hours but that’s why I’m keeping both places at the same time,” she said “I want to do something here that people can say we’re going to Albana’s GG Brunch Haus because we can find the great food build a great relationship with each other.’ People want that People want to have a connection with each other.” Q: Is it true DQ will be coming to East Naples on 41 A: The status of a Dairy Queen Grill & Chill coming to U.S 41 East was a question Jim Dolan dreaded answering for the last three years The Marco Island resident is finally feeling better about the new DQ franchise in East Naples that he will co-own with his wife the couple nears the construction start of their drive-thru for the national fast-casual ice cream shop chain It’s planned on the vacant commercial lot next to Texas Tony’s Rib & Brewhouse on the East Trail between Lakewood Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road For the last month or so is the first time I’ve really felt comfortable talking about it,” Dolan said the construction project is expected to take only 100 to 120 days to complete The ground-up construction will include a 2,984-square-foot building with a drive-thru lane at 4535 Tamiami Trail E with a canopy-covered patio at the front of the store “We were hoping for a groundbreaking in November but our GC [general contractor] wants to make sure all the ducks are in a row because if they start the project and have to pull equipment off He really wanted the last permit to be in hand; then we’ll be good to go,” Dolan said “We are in our fourth round with the county for the building permit but I think we’re at the very tail-end of that,” Dolan said the real big headache for like two years was the state Department of Transportation right-turn lane that we needed.” 41 that will connect to an access drive along the south of the future restaurant needs to be built “We still have to build some way to get into it and that was kind of the holdup,” Dolan said noting that the state had about eight reviews of the plans it’s like two months because it’s like a month for them to review it and then it gets back to us and we have to change stuff and get back to them That was kind of the massive hangup on it.” He expects Collier County planners to sign off on the plans soon so hopefully within the next couple weeks we’ll hear back on it “We’re really excited to go forward and start selling some ice cream.” Plans for a possible miniature golf course behind the DQ have not been abandoned; they just have been temporarily shelved Putt-putt and a Peanut Buster Parfait still could be in the future mix “Our plan was always to get the restaurant up first,” Dolan said “We didn’t think this would take nearly as long as it has.” Q: Will Costco try again for another building site in South Naples is moving ahead with plans for a second store in Collier County on the southeast corner of Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Collier Boulevard immediately north of Physicians Regional Medical Center-Collier Boulevard Site development plans and renderings were created last fall for a 158,316-square-foot Costco store with a freestanding fueling station that would provide relief for the chain’s busy longtime location on Naples Boulevard in North Naples Costco proposes to develop nearly 26 acres on that heavily wooded corner at 8392 Collier Blvd., leaving 4 acres for outparcels fronting Collier Boulevard The warehouse membership club would include the sale of groceries and merchandise; tire sales and installation areas; walk-in dairy and produce coolers; and a 2,000-square-foot liquor store according to the warehouse concept plan created in September At a staff meeting last fall at Costco in North Naples employees were told that the newly proposed Costco is targeted to open in 2026 Its construction is expected to be a fast-track project designed to be quickly built the national retail chain filed paperwork with Growth Management requesting a waiver of Collier County’s Land Development Code requirement that commercial lots with automobile service stations be separated by 500 feet Costco’s proposed lot with a fueling station is only 132 feet from the new 7-Eleven convenience store with gas pumps on the northeast corner of Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Collier Boulevard The county notes that the measurement is the shortest distance between the nearest property line points of any two lots occupied by an automobile service station or one for which a building permit has been issued The waiver request would be decided after a public hearing by the Collier County Hearing Examiner a quasi-judicial officer who reports directly to the Board of County Commissioners The Hearing Examiner’s Office was established in 2013 to augment the county’s Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals for hearing evaluating and deciding specific land use and development proposals The applicant or any county department may appeal the final decision of the Hearing Examiner to the Board of County Commissioners “A party to the hearing can appeal to the BCC; all others would have to appeal to the Circuit Court,” said Planning & Zoning Division Director Mike Bosi who notes that county commissioners otherwise do not need to “bless” the Hearing Examiner’s decision The Hearing Examiner may grant a waiver if the applicant can show that the site proposed for development of a service station is separated from another service station by natural or man-made structures or other features that minimize the necessity for the distance requirement The proposed member-based Costco gas station and the conventional 7-Eleven gas station are separated by the four-lane Rattlesnake Hammock Road Both 7-Eleven and the proposed Costco are part of the Hacienda Lakes mixed-use planned unit development Collier commissioners approved the commercial development there more than 13 years ago 140,000 gross square feet of business park or educational facility Specific businesses or types of businesses have not been proposed yet for the 4 acres of commercial lots planned on the Hacienda Lakes corner between Costco and Collier Boulevard The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com The first retail store for Landert Bread launched Feb cakes and pastries available to more customers After operating a wholesale business for more than 12 years Naples-based Landert Bread opened its retail store at 4440 Domestic Ave. next door to Paloma Blanca Cuba Cafe in the industrial park between Airport-Pulling and Livingston roads The store will be open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m As the paddle passes to sports executive Mike Dee the world's largest pickleball facility and top tournament balance elite growth with the amateur spirit that made Naples the sport's epicenter Even those who’ve never heard his name recognize his achievement: the 64 courts at East Naples Community Park—the largest dedicated pickleball facility in the world the park has hosted the US Open Pickleball Championships in April—one of the sport’s defining events— drawing 50,000 spectators the center and tournament enter a new era as leadership passes to Mike Dee a veteran sports executive whose resume spans the National Football League and Major League Baseball The shift comes as pickleball attempts a new balancing act: After several years as the fastest-growing sport in America major investment is shifting toward competitive pro tours Mike would be well-positioned to follow the trend he’s intent on safeguarding the accessible culture that catapulted pickle - ball from game to phenomenon and established Naples as the epicenter “We’re never going to risk tinkering with the formula—the culture the core audience of people who come to play and watch pickleball,” he says The 64-court pickleball center at East Naples Community Park and its annual US Open Pickleball Championships enter a new era this year under Much of the sport’s local participatory zeal can be traced back to Jim Long before Naples became the pickleball capital Jim was just another player caught up in the game he took his first swings at Lakewood Country Club—one of the first clubs to champion the sport in Naples— and succumbed to the addictive pull Jim and his fellow paddle-wielding evangelists scoured the area for room to expand He petitioned Collier County to trans - form East Naples Community Park’s dilapidated roller rink into permanent pickleball courts Jim progressively added more courts to meet demand growing the facility to 64 courts by 2018 as membership mushroomed to 6,500 ‘I want to build 10 [more] courts,” Jim recalls we had more people than would fit on those 10 courts.” The expanding East Naples facility drew Chris Evon and Terri Graham to Jim’s doorstep in 2015 with plans for a tournament that would reshape the competitive landscape the USA National Pickleball Championships stood as the gatekeeper with 600 players who had to qualify for the draw the women envisioned the world’s largest gathering of pickleballers where fervent camaraderie would meet fierce competition That ethos—the blurring of casual and competitive the idea that anyone can step onto the court and play—has been baked into pickleball since its beginning in the 1960s when friends improvised a game using ping-pong paddles and a Wiffle ball the Open blends elite competition with street-fair energy Top-ranked pros battle on center court for roaring crowds while well-loved amateurs draw cheering fans celebrating every point like it’s a title match but none capture the event’s distinctive alchemy the Open had matured into one of the sport’s premier gatherings attracting the attention of Pickleball4America a group of investors with Mike as chairman they purchased the tournament and the facilities at East Naples Community Park rebranding the courts as the USOP National Pickleball Center Mike’s trajectory includes serving as CEO of the Miami Dolphins he was instrumental in inking the deal for Fort Myers’ JetBlue Park whose 2012 debut ensured the team’s spring training remained in Southwest Florida but his approach is deliberately measured—guided by preservation as much as innovation Mike spent two years studying the Open’s unique DNA Terri and Jim continued to manage the tournament the immediate changes will be minor—a slightly larger player pool and behind-the-scenes software to streamline brackets and court assignments The subtle upgrades are the first steps toward Pickleball4America’s ultimate goal: nearly doubling participation to 6,000 players in coming years and adding more courts to match—part of a master plan submitted to the county “We want to expand the footprint of the tournament into the community,” he says “If you fly into RSW the week of the US Open The professional circuit is a clear avenue for growth with investment steadily flowing into two pro tours and 22 league franchises banking on star power to expand the fan base While Mike welcomes increased pro participation remains committed to the Open’s foundational philosophy: “The central nervous system of pickleball is amateur play.” Mike is committed to keeping Naples as the epicenter USOP launches an academy under former Top 30 pro Justin Romero—a rare opportunity to train with an elite player Mike envisions the center becoming a preeminent training facility for casual players and tomorrow’s tournament headliners “There’s only one US Open and one facility where it’s played,” Mike says “When the book on pickleball is written 50 years from now there will be a huge chapter on Collier County.” A name change signifies that Baci Pizza in East Naples is more than a pizzeria It’s now Baci Trattoria & Pizza in a new restaurant space less than a mile away from its original location and this location is more like a trattoria A trattoria in Italian means homemade-style Italian food,” said Baci owner Francesco “Frankie” Garofalo which is pronounced BAH-chee and means “kisses” in Italian launched 10 years ago in a multiunit building on U.S Garofalo had to close the longtime location of his original pizzeria ahead of a redevelopment project “We left the beginning of July and as soon as we left The only thing I know is that for six months I’m not working.” Garofalo believes his new full-service restaurant will be successful building on the popularity of his previous location with the addition of more products and services 16 at 2740 Bayshore Drive in the same retail strip as I Love Curry The new restaurant has an expanded dining space and menu for lunch and dinner “I came up with a lot of classic dishes that my mom makes at home like homemade cavatelli and tortellini,” Garofalo said “We concentrate more on the south side of Italy cuisine.” Expect Italian-American cuisine with roots in Naples My parents immigrated [to New York] when I was 10 years old That’s when I started making pizzas with my uncle,” Garofalo said Baci’s menu includes about 20 pasta dishes “And we’re going to do lots of dinner specials every couple of days I’ll come up with a new dinner special,” Garofalo said Grandma’s Pie is still one of Baci’s top sellers The classic sheet-pan pizza features homemade mozzarella cheese topped with dots of sauce and basil Baci also has New York-style and Sicilian pies including The Kitchen Sink Pizza with meatballs The restaurant has a full wine list and serves beer Garofalo is working to secure a full liquor license soon Baci has updated the quality of its service and hired more servers The new restaurant has about four times as many seats for guests The dining room is set for 65 people now and outdoor dining will be available soon “We do Pasta Night on Sunday; you get a salad and pasta for $11.95 We do happy hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.” REnew-Yu Natural Health-Beauty spa will host a grand opening from 1 to 5 p.m the location treats the skin and underlying muscles achieving complete and balanced rejuvenation REnew-Yu offers facial and hair-loss rejuvenation treatments Q: Can you update us on new restaurants coming to Route 41 and Collier Boulevard or new restaurants in that area A: Maple Street Biscuit Co., a restaurant chain that prides itself on scratch-made Southern comfort food with a modern twist, is planning to launch its first regional location early next year in the second phase of Restaurant Row on Collier Boulevard near its intersection with U.S. 41 East. Its original plans to open this fall have been delayed “We currently do not have an exact date set for our Naples location but we are looking at late spring for opening,” said Mindy Schieb facilities manager for new store development at Maple Street Biscuit Co Co-founders Gus Evans and Scott Moore opened their first Maple Street community store in Jacksonville in late 2012 Tennessee-based Cracker Barrel purchased Maple Street Biscuit in 2019 The chain is in nine Southern states and expanded into Ohio last year the nearest of which are in Sarasota and Pembroke Pines Maple Street has a menu with biscuit sandwiches as well as beverages that include a variety of coffee drinks Still nothing to report yet for a couple of restaurant spaces recently vacated in that area including the Pollo Tropical drive-thru in Restaurant Row and the BurgerFi endcap in Shops at Eagle Creek Q: Do you know what is going in the Rib City building on 41 in East Naples A: Denny’s is building out the outparcel space that formerly was Rib City at 3871 U.S in Naples Towne Centre South in East Naples that new location of Denny’s is still targeted to launch this fall vice president and chief operating officer of RREMC Restaurants a company headquartered in West Palm Beach that is one of the largest Denny’s franchisees in the nation Although Denny’s has multiple locations in Lee County the East Naples restaurant will be the first in Southwest Florida for RREMC The local opening will reintroduce the national casual dining concept to the Naples market after more than 17 years Fort Myers-based Rib City permanently closed its East Trail location in the summer of 2020 after operating it for more than 20 years Tropical Smoothie Cafe is coming to the space that formerly was Benzer Pharmacy That space also hosted Dunkin’ Donuts many years ago In the adjoining Naples Towne Centre North Planet Fitness plans to muscle its way into the 21,000-square-foot space that Save A Lot grocery store vacated years ago Q: I live in Bonita Springs and have been watching the build of Midtown at Bonita So many of my neighbors and I are so curious if any stores have committed to opening there We were all really curious and then I thought Do you have any info you can share with me A: Eight retail tenants recently were announced as coming to Midtown at Bonita the major mixed-use development planned east of Interstate 75 on the north side of Bonita Beach Road at Bonita Grande Drive in Bonita Springs The local development will include Chipotle Mexican Grill Noire the Nail Bar and Bonita Beach Wine & Spirits Several local and national retailers are still negotiating leases The 68-acre development by The Zuckerman Group also will include Paradiso Bonita Springs a 400-unit luxury apartment community that is already under construction on 10 acres there Midtown at Bonita is designed to prioritize walkability and open spaces Q: Wondering if you know what store is being built in the Ollie’s shopping center on the corner of Bonita Beach and 41 Construction has been going on for a while and it looks to be a pretty large space A: Ross Dress for Less is coming to that 17,000-square-foot space between Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Harbor Freight in the Springs Plaza shopping center on the southeast corner of U.S The new store will be the seventh in Lee County for Ross a California-based chain of department stores It fills the space Goodwill vacated in 2021 after operating there for 12 years Goodwill relocated its store east on Bonita Beach Road to Imperial Bonita Plaza the retail strip that hosts Beef O’Brady’s Domino’s Pizza and a few other tenants on the northwest corner of Radio Road and Santa Barbara Boulevard in East Naples The freestanding 11,496-square-foot commercial strip at 7385 Radio Road is on the corner of the Publix-anchored Berkshire Commons shopping center Get set for a scrumptious smorgasbord of restaurants preparing to open in the Naples area in 2025 The year begins with a series of restaurant newcomers setting tables for what is guaranteed to become a must-experience spread for Southwest Florida foodies is coming in January atop the new Perry Hotel Naples which will start welcoming guests this month to its highly visible location next to the Bay House at Walkerbilt Road and U.S Celebrity “Top Chef” Dale Talde plans to showcase his innovative culinary style with dishes such as dry-aged crown of duck dry-aged beef potstickers and blue crab fried rice with jalapeño aioli The new hotel also will launch its Easy Tiger rooftop lounge with a view of the Cocohatchee River and Gulf of Mexico Lujacks All-American Grill plans a mid-January launch in the former large space of The Pearl and Stonewood Tavern in Fountain Park at Airport-Pulling and Vanderbilt Beach roads The remodeled full-service restaurant and lounge will be a tribute to Fighting Irish football legend and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lujack The folks behind Seventh South Craft Food + Drink are planning to launch Seventh South Waterfront this month in the former spot of Three60 Market on Haldeman Creek off Bayshore Drive in East Naples Fresh Catch Inland is the latest seafood bistro from prolific local restaurateur Franco Russo whose new place is in the former T42 and TGI Fridays outparcel on the northern edge of Coconut Point in Estero The creative team behind the legendary Sugarshack Sessions video platforms plans to share a new state-of-the-art experience in an ultra-cool setting that it’s bringing to life by the end of the month with the launch of the Sugarshack Downtown live music venue a vibrant entertainment destination with a full-service restaurant two full bars and a retail shop on Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs Sonny’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar will be the new name for the longtime Zookies Sports Bar & Grill off Immokalee Road in North Naples expect a cosmetic rebrand and menu additions such as Chicago-style pizza Backyard Chick-n-Ribs plans to open in early January in the former Vegan Kitchen space in Neapolitan Way Plaza in Naples GG Brunch Haus hopes to open a new breakfast-lunch spot this month in the former La Rosa Pizza place at Pelican Larry’s Plaza on Davis Boulevard in East Naples Two local eateries plan to open second locations this month Jimmy P’s Burgers & More is coming soon to Vanderbilt Commons on Vanderbilt Beach Road in North Naples; Yacht Club Subs is expanding with a restaurant next to PJK on Fourth Avenue South in Old Naples RAVentures Hospitality Group plans to open two of its regional brands this month Kelly’s Roast Beef is coming soon to a new outparcel location along U.S 41 at the Gateway Shoppes at North Bay in North Naples; and Oar & Iron Raw Bar & Grill is targeted to open later this month near Topgolf in south Fort Myers Roadies Pit Stop is taking shape and opening soon on an outparcel in Founders Square at the corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard also is expected to open this month in the new Midtown Plaza in Ave Maria A few more fine-dining restaurants are coming in 2025 to the city of Naples Prime Social rooftop restaurant under construction high atop Chops City Grill will be the third upscale restaurant on Fifth Avenue South operated by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Blackbird Modern Asian restaurant is being built out in the former longtime waterfront space of Bonefish Grill at Naples Bay Resort & Marina Ce Soir Naples is bringing its modern French cuisine with Mediterranean flair to the former Southern Style Kitchen & Raw Bar in Bayfront Expect a restaurant to expand the former space of Old Naples Pub off Third Street South in downtown Naples Other upscale restaurants are targeted in new local developments such as Four Seasons Resort at Naples Beach Club Naples Square on Goodlette-Frank Road and the Old Naples Hotel on Third Street South The aviation-themed 7J7 Sky Lounge is scheduled to take flight this spring on the corner of First Avenue North and 10th Street North Roma Italian Bistro & Pizzeria is relocating blocks west on Fifth Avenue South to the former space of KJ Sushi & Asian Bistro and relaunching as Ottimo on 5th Cucina & Bar Two pizzerias are shooting to open this spring in Naples; Mister O1 is readying its second location at Eleven Eleven Central and a Long Island couple is creating a yet-unnamed slice shop in Shea’s former space off Fifth Avenue South At least two high-end restaurants are coming to Waterside Shops Restoration Hardware is planning a glass-roofed restaurant as the centerpiece to its RH Naples gallery proposed at the site of the former Nordstrom store Darden Restaurants plans the first regional location of Eddie V’s Prime Seafood at an outparcel fronting Seagate Drive The Carnelian boutique hotel proposed on the site of the former Beacon Bowl bowling alley plans an upscale restaurant This project may not open to the public until early 2026 is being built out in the former space of Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill on Vanderbilt Beach Road In the adjacent Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt expect the launch of Aufieri & Martinez Steakhouse Connors Steak & Seafood is planned for an outparcel space in Granada Shoppes while Sushi Sake is coming to Riverchase Plaza across the street Joey D’s Italian Restaurant & Bar is expanding and adding an adjacent Italian market plus two other restaurants will be announced for new spaces on that corner In the new Tree Farm Plaza under construction at Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard Chipotle Mexican Grill and Riko’s Pizza are coming soon Panda Express will be built on a new outparcel lot will have a yet-unnamed restaurant that is expected to open this year Cafe Seabreeze and Sage Supper Club are preparing to open in Kings Lake Square and Pelican Larry’s Plaza an eight-suite boutique property being built on Bayshore Drive in East Naples will have a 155-seat restaurant on its ground floor National chains planning new area locations are Dairy Queen Grill & Chill Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders and Maple Street Biscuit Co Some more new eateries coming to Bonita Springs include Canary Club Pizza & Cocktails set to open in the newly built Waterline on Old 41 Road Naples-based Neapolitan Gourmet Italian Market & Deli is opening a second location soon in the former space of Mediterranean Paradise in Imperial Bonita Plaza at Imperial and Bonita Beach Road Jimmy John’s sandwich shop coming freaky fast to Blackjack Pizza’s former location in Askar Center on U.S Tenants announced as coming to Midtown at Bonita the major mixed-use development under construction on the northwest corner of Bonita Beach Road at Bonita Grande Drive include The Hangry Bison restaurant — Neighbors in Riverpark East are calling on the City of Naples to rethink its plans to purchase the Stillwater Cove apartment complex for affordable housing Residents say taxpayer money can be better spent and the property’s location in a known flood zone makes it a poor investment The city is considering acquiring the 60-unit complex on 5th Avenue North as part of an effort to expand affordable housing options has raised concerns due to its flood-prone location WATCH TO HEAR HOW NEIGHBORS ARE REACTING TO THE PROPOSED PURCHASE OF THE COMPLEX: expressed his concerns about the proposed purchase “A lot of us have actually been up at City Hall complaining about it,” Schoff said "We don’t want them spending taxpayer dollars behind a bunch of single-family homes." Schoff believes the city’s funds would be better spent on other projects that could enhance the neighborhood’s value such as dredging canals and improving roads "I would love to see luxury single family homes back here with one saying the city's focus should be on improving the area's infrastructure rather than taking on a pricey project "Why are you going to put money that we so desperately need into a project that’s not really usable?" said Lauren Batlle Batlle believes this purchase plan would put vulnerable low income families at risk in the event of a severe storm after you fix our infrastructure in Riverpark East," Batlle said "It makes no sense for them to buy it because our infrastructure is still Water Cove's infrastructure then moving our taxpayer money into a project that doesn’t make sense?” The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved negotiations with the property’s owner Corridor Ventures The city’s real estate consultant must present flood risks and a feasibility plan before the matter goes to City Council for a final vote the potential acquisition could cost more than $20 million Collier's planning board is recommending approval of a mixed-use development that would bring more affordable housing to East Naples the board voted unanimously in favor of the developer's two petitions the petitions go on the county commission's consent agenda The development could have up to 300 multifamily rentals and 64,000 square feet of commercial uses The project is planned on a 24.4-acre site that sits west of where U.S the developer has agreed to make 30% of the rentals affordable housing with half of those reserved for households earning 80% or less of the county’s area median income and the other half for those making no more than 100% The county’s median income now tops $100,000 for a family of four The median represents the amount in the middle with half making more and half earning less emphasized other multifamily rental projects using the same 30% set aside for affordable housing to address what "everybody acknowledges is a crisis in Collier County." The affordable housing is designed to serve teachers who are forced to live outside of the county because housing is too expensive Military veterans would also get priority treatment The discounted rents would range from $1,566 to $2,713 a month depending on income and unit size (based on current estimates) According to the Shimberg Center for Housing at the University of Florida average rents in the county have doubled over the past decade The center found more than 51,000 cost-burdened households in the county with over half of them spending more than 50% of their monthly income on housing the developer needs a rezoning and a small-scale amendment to the county's growth management plan While the property is agriculturally zoned Yovanovich stressed it's in the urban area where the base density is four units per acre and pointed out developers have the right to ask for increased density for projects with affordable housing The requested density is what's needed to support the inclusion of lower-cost housing and to ensure the development is still "economically viable," he said County staff recommended in favor of the project No one spoke in opposition at the public hearing questioned whether she could fence her property across Greenway Road to protect her animals from increased traffic but that wasn't something the planning commission could address "The county would have to investigate that," said Joe Schmitt chairman of the Fiddler's Creek Community Development District #2 asked if the developer would commit to a "fair allocation" to help cover the cost of a new traffic light at Sandpiper Drive and U.S where there have been serious traffic accidents when the property is developed and people start moving in," he said The community development district pursued the light for the benefit of residents in Fiddler's Creek and it's already sharing the cost with others including a second community development district for Fiddler's Creek Community development districts operate as special purpose governments with the primary responsibility of overseeing the construction maintenance and operation of community infrastructure While the developer has pledged to help the Fiddler's Creek districts pay for the new traffic light Yovanovich said the amount has yet to be determined A fair share analysis has not been conducted to determine what the developer should be held responsible for as its project is much smaller and would generate far less traffic than Fiddler's Creek which is approved for more than 6,000 homes we are not going to give a check now," Yovanovich said Miller offered a discount if the developer paid sooner "We are not going to negotiate a dollar amount today," he said firmly Yovanovich reminded everyone in the room that plans for the signal were in the works long before his client's petitions so any help from his client in paying for it should be much appreciated The developer has made a few other commitments That includes improving turning movements into all of the project's road access points and providing a portable generator to the county to use at public shelters as needed the developer has agreed to exclude a car wash from the commercial uses praised the developer for excluding a car wash she wanted more in the way of commitments on design She asked if the developer might agree to a maximum setback of 50 feet for buildings as a way to improve their visual appeal and walkability She offered up Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples as an example of what she'd like to see more of along U.S Yovanovich said he couldn't agree to such a request "on the fly." He commented that moving the buildings closer to the road could have unintended consequences forcing the developer to build in a longer "A lot of people don't want buildings right on top of the road," he said McLeod shot back: "It's not that attractive when you see all the parking up front." As a long-time member of the planning commission Schmitt explained the advisory board does not get into the design details of buildings It's the county's job to look at community character and decide what it wants The petitions for the new mixed-use development are tentatively scheduled to go before county commissioners on Jan The ninth annual US Open Pickleball Championships return to Naples this week boasting a field of top professionals and the event's largest purse More than 3,400 competitors of all ages and levels are scheduled to descend on East Naples Community Park for the tournament representing all 50 states and 40 different countries will be playing on the park’s 60-plus courts That includes more than 400 professionals competing for a US Open record purse of approximately $163,400 In the 2024 US Open, Anna Leigh Waters teamed with JW Johnson to win the mixed doubles title and paired with her mother Leigh to take the female doubles crown Johnson and Dylan Frazier took the male doubles championship while Jack Foster and Jorja Johnson won the male and female singles titles Last year's US Open drew more than 40,000 spectators during the week. The event is expecting 50,000-plus visitors this time around. Collier County has estimated the event brings $14 million in economic impact which includes hotel room nights along with other visitor spending 2024: World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters dominant at US Open Pickleball Championships with doubles sweep Here's what else you should know about the self-described “biggest pickleball party in the world.” Tickets are only required to watch pro matches on the Zing Zang Championship Court ticket sales opened through a lottery system in February tickets may be sold at the park if space is available Where can I park my car at the US Open Pickleball Championships?A $5 charge per car will be for all-day parking at the event All proceeds will go to the Kiwanis Club's 'Christmas in July' program to benefit underprivileged Collier County students Complimentary shuttle service is provided from the parking lots East Naples Community Park is located at 3500 Thomasson Drive Even though bleacher seating is available at the US Open Pickleball Championships fans should consider bringing a portable chair Water will be provided at fountains and filler stations throughout the park While portions of the seating at the Zing Zang Championship Court are shaded so fans may want to bring a hat or umbrella Dogs are welcome at East Naples Community Park but pets are not allowed inside the Zing Zang Championship Court area Daily live streaming from the Zing Zang Championship Court will be broadcast on Pickleball Channel, which is available on YouTube and Facebook and at pickleballchannel.com CBS Sports Network will broadcast live on April 30-May 3 from 12 to 2 p.m Collier County has broken ground on a new boardwalk along Bayshore Drive a 17-acre project aimed at improving pedestrian access and connectivity in East Naples County officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the boardwalk which will link the Naples Arts District to Sugden Regional Park Funded by the Bayshore Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) the $3.3 million project was approved by commissioners last year "I've been working on it personally for the past four years but it's been in the works for at least 15," said Tami Scott Scott said the boardwalk will connect to the existing sidewalk beginning as a paved promenade with a hardscape surface and brick pavers it will transition into an elevated wooden boardwalk winding through the wetlands before ultimately linking to Sugden Park She emphasized the growing need for walkable infrastructure as more residents and visitors bike and walk through the area daily "We've been taking advantage of this community for 20 years Once complete—expected in about 12 months—neighbors will be able to walk directly to the park rather than drive "Now we won't have to do that—we can just walk straight from our place through the park to the lake," Wood said "It's going to be a lot easier for all of us Collier commissioners have approved a legal settlement that will allow an East Naples golf course to become housing after county attorney Jeffrey Klatzkow strongly recommended in favor of it as a way to resolve two lawsuits brought by the property's owners over their unsuccessful attempts to develop The Links of Naples golf course Naples Golf Development filed a Bert Harris property rights lawsuit against Collier County but related public records suit against county commissioner Bill McDaniel six months later The settlement will allow up to 369 homes to be built on the golf course property equating to four-and-a-half units per acre The agreement appeared on the consent agenda county manager Amy Patterson moved it to the regular agenda He presented a brief history of the litigation then encouraged commissioners to take action and "dispose of it." Commissioner Rick LoCastro moved to approve the settlement with McDaniel abstaining because of his direct involvement in one of the cases LoCastro sought to clarify what might happen next Klatzkow suggested the owners might "flip the property," to another developer as it evaluates "the best options for the property and the community as a whole," he said Asked about the favorable resolution of the litigation he said: "None of this had to happen and it was completely avoidable if the county – and especially commissioner McDaniel – had just done the right thing from the very beginning." Naples Golf argued the property had been "inordinately burdened" by the county's rules for rezoning a golf course and then a lack of a settlement that resulted in a "taking" of its property The developer claimed the county had an ulterior motive – of wanting the 80-plus acres of property to develop a housing project of its own and trying to "artificially depress" the property's value so it could get a hold of the land for less money The second suit accused McDaniel of attempting to hide public records "in his possession," particularly ones kept on his personal email accounts and refusing to produce the information it sought in a timely Naples Golf began targeting McDaniel with public records requests after he moved to deny a previous settlement recommended by the county attorney that would have allowed the developer to build on its property and resolved a $6 million property rights claim – avoiding a lawsuit After McDaniel pulled that agreement from the consent agenda in March 2023 McDaniel said he felt it was premature for a settlement when the developer had yet to submit a formal application for its proposed project The commissioner has declined to comment publicly on either case saying he hoped the county learned from it "There should be a lot of learning curves on that one He added: "It's not one of our prouder moments." The settlement will allow Naples Golf to build 122 more homes than the one that commissioners denied last year The prior agreement would have capped development at three units per acre and restricted it to 247 single-family homes The golf course property is currently zoned Rural Agricultural District and is in the Rural Fringe Mixed-Use District which would only allow for a maximum of one residential unit per acre Under the Florida's Bert Harris property rights act the county can "enter into a settlement agreement that provides an exception to local regulations," including its growth management plan The developer will provide more buffering than required along the entire eastern boundary of the property that abuts single-family homes the "settlement protects the public's interest while also preventing the golf course conversion regulations from ordinately burdening the property," Klatzkow said in his summary The county hired outside counsel to help fight the lawsuits the county will pay Naples Golf a total of $250,000 to help cover fees the developer paid to its hired experts and attorneys