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BILL BARNETT

ver since I moved to the City of Naples 51 years ago, Once again we find ourselves cleaning up after not one, but two
there have been many prime pieces of property that hurricanes and I have an extremely hard time when I hear people
E I have watched go on the market and get sold. From say “Oh, we did fine”. We didn’t, but I suppose comparatively
prime beachfront to small lots where people built homes and speaking when we talk about the State of Florida we did.
commercial lots that buildings for businesses and restaurants It’s hard to believe the Christmas Holidays are around the
appeared. Over the years, these lots became scarcer and scarcer corner. It seems as if every year the stores start putting holiday
until eventually the City of Naples became built out. While there merchandise out earlier and earlier. It used to be right after
have been lots of resales, unsold property became nonexistent. Thanksgiving, but now it’s like right along with Halloween!
For as long as I can remember there was one special piece of I will of course tell you as I do every year: during the “season” in
property right in the heart of Naples that remained vacant. Naples if you have family or visitors and you’re planning to try
Bordering Fifth Avenue South on the north side, one couldn’t some of Naples' great restaurants you absolutely need to make
help but notice it. It was always well maintained and I watched reservations, or you will have some unhappy folks on your hands.
development spring up around it on Tenth Street North and a Of course, there will always be the hearty souls that like to belly
small street that went from Tenth to 41 as a pass through. During up to the bar, enjoy the decorations and holiday spirits, and, if
my City Council and Mayoral years I would constantly get asked it’s an hour or more wait for a table, all the merrier! Believe it
about it. Who owned it? Why wasn’t it for sale? Was it for sale? or not there was a time when I could do that, but those days are
Imagine what one could do with it. My answer was always the long gone. I used to be able to write out my favorite restaurants
same. Yes, I knew the family that owned it and when and if they in Naples but that’s become impossible these days as we have so
ever were ready to sell it they would. I can’t begin to tell you how many terrific places to dine. Yes, we still have some Mom and
many offers over 51 plus years they might have had, I only know Pop ones, but you need to ask around to find them and they are
that it has finally been sold. It will be beautifully developed to definitely worth dining at.
blend in with Fifth Ave South and the new Gulfshore Playhouse. I wish all of you a happy, healthy holiday season and
There will be condos and restaurants and, to me, it will be like a that 2025 turns out to be the best year we ever had.
finishing touch on a masterpiece. Or like a puzzle whose missing Yes, I am and hope I will always be an eternal optimist.
piece has finally been found. I will keep you in the loop as I learn A special thanks to our City employees who work those extra
more. This special piece of property has a lot of meaning to me hours to make Naples look so good!
because of its history. Bill Barnett, Former Mayor
I do respond to e-mails at: mayornaples@gmail.com

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