Page 8 - May-June 2025 Life In Naples Magazing

BILL BARNETT

s this busy season comes to a close and the first wave of Since I have been writing for Life in Naples there have been
winter residents have left Naples, a strange calm seems many stories about the growth of Naples from when my family
st
A to have fallen upon us. I always know that April 1 is the and I first moved here in 1973 to the present. A great example
first hint that traffic has lightened up just the tiniest bit but has just materialized and it gives the reader a great viewpoint of
will be steadily decreasing each week until my barometer of the change. Beacon Bowl was a bowling alley located basically on
traffic is gone which is always Mother’s Day. This year might be the corner of Pine Ridge Road and Tamiami Trail North, with
a little different because Easter is so late and there might be an a 7-11 separating it from actually being on Pine Ridge Road.
early exodus heading out to be home for Easter, we will know! It had been in Naples for pretty near fifty years and our aunts,
Although each year we seem to get more summer visitors, I don’t uncles, cousins and families gathered there to learn to bowl and
think we will ever see traffic in the summer be like our winter hang out there throughout the 70’s, 80’s, and right up to this past
traffic is. summer of 2025 when a rumor spread like wildfire through our
While I’m on the subject of traffic, I give a lot of credit to community that it had been sold! It turned out to be true and
those of you who live way out on Immokalee Road. There are another true Naples Landmark was leaving us, but for what in its
some beautiful developments that have sprung up in those areas place? I was contacted by the new owner of the property, someone
over the last few years with all the amenities one could ask for that I knew and had admired for many years and who helped the
from Publix Food Markets to Target and good restaurants. City of Naples take shape early ahead of its time, especially on
One would never have to come into the City of Naples unless Fifth Avenue South in our City. He was a true pioneer and is
it was for fine dining, and great shopping, a day of fishing with one of those rare people that you could definitely call a visionary,
a guide from our City Dock, or perhaps hanging out at Baker which he is and once again with this new project just shows
Park. Maybe catch a performance at the magnificent Gulfshore his creativity. It is a familiar name in Naples, none other than
Playhouse, however if you’re going to do that you need to make a Phil McCabe, a well known name here for sure. I should have
reservation well in advance. That will be a special reason to come known better when he told me a few years ago he was retiring!
to the City and I will tell you it will be an enjoyable experience He and his sons Philip and Joseph and whomever else is in his
you will not forget! No, I didn’t forget to mention our superb group are going to build a Luxury Hotel where that good old
beaches! What a great way to spend a day by bringing a picnic bowling alley sat for so long. Its name will be the Carnelian, and
lunch even though you don’t have to because there are many you will see lots written about it in the very near future and it will
casual restaurants to grab a sandwich within walking distance. be state of the art without a doubt. My first words to Phil were “A
I started out with reasons why you wouldn’t have to come visit the hotel Phil?” He smiled and told me to take a good look at that
City of Naples and ended up giving you reasons why you should. property and what was directly across the Tamiami Trail. Well,
I left out my main thought which was to be about the Immokalee the light came on and I realized that it was Waterside, one of the
Road and surrounding area traffic. I have a friend who works for finest, most exclusive shopping centers in all of Collier County
my dentist in downtown Naples and when I saw her the other and what a fabulous location for his luxury hotel! Once again
day she was bitterly complaining about the traffic out there and he saw a possibility for something special in a location that was
said it takes her over an hour to get to work in the morning and perfect for what he had planned.
even longer trying to get home at night. She’s not the first person Enjoy your late Spring and all of your Summer and
to tell me that and yet the County keeps growing. I candidly we look forward to seeing you upon your return!
don’t know how this traffic issue ever gets resolved. I know a new
All the Best,
Overpass is in the works, and that will help no doubt. I will give
Bill Barnett, Former Mayor
the County Planners and Commissioners credit, they are doing
I do respond to e-mails at: mayornaples@gmail.com
their best, will it ever be good enough?

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