The Naples real estate market has been busy with sales continuing to increase. According to the Naples Board of Realtors, the number of homes sold in April 2010 (914) increased 46 percent compared to sales in April 2099 (626) and the available inventory decreased by 13 percent over the same month last year. In the $1million to $2 million price range of single family homes there were increases in pending sales and in closed sales for April compared to the previous year. We have noted in our own reports that in the Old Naples area last year at this time there were 116 homes for sale and this year there are currently 82 single family homes on the market. And our running total of sales in the last 12 months shows there have been 62 sales to date, while at the same point last year there were only 36 sales according to the MLS. To view the full NABOR report, go to www.Naplesarea.com.
The Naples Botanical Garden has had 50,000 visitors since the facility re-opened in November – nearly doubling the attraction’s pre-expansion annual attendance.
Naples City Council, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, voted to move forward with a downtown Naples lighting project. New lights will be installed on 5th Avenue South from 9th Street to 3rd Street South, on 8th Street South from 4th Avenue South to 6th Street South and the side streets along 5th Avenue South. The project is expected to cost $997,201 and will be funded using Community Redevelopment money.
The Naples Council also approved a public art project at the Humane Society – a large dog paw print on the east face of the building. It is part of an 11, 868 square foot renovation project at the Airport Road facility.
Governor Charlie Crist signed into law the state budget allocation for the creation of a Jackson Laboratory research institute in Collier County. The institute, which focuses on genetics and human health research, will help Collier County diversify its economy and serve as a hub for medical research, teaching and training in our area. The $750 million facility would create 420 jobs in its first year and another 7,000 over the next 10 years, according to State Senator Garrett Richter, R-Naples. The $50 million from the state’s budget is part of a three-year commitment to the Innovation Incentive Fund which will spend a total of $130 million to bring the Maine-based genetic research company to Naples.
Naples businessman, creator of Park Shore, tireless philanthropist and sculptor: Raymond Lutgert recently passed away at age 90. His imprint on our city was immeasurable and his family, friends and the many residents who benefited from his vision and generosity will miss him.
The Naples High School Golden Eagles girl’s softball team did not win the Class 4A softball state championships, losing in the final game to Dunnellon by a score of 3-2. This was Dunnellon’s second straight 4A title, but a sad ending to a wonderful season for the Naples Golden Eagles. On a happier note, Eagles’ second baseman Ryan Iamurri was chosen the 2010 Winged Foot Scholar-Athlete. She is an all-state softball player and played as an All-American last year and she will play softball at the University of Alabama next year.
Collier County Commissioners voted unanimously to stop using the red light cameras to cite drivers who roll through right-hand turns and instead focus on the red-light runners who barrel straight through or make left-had turns across traffic. After studying the data, the commissioners found that 85% of the more than 250,000 citations issued since April 2009 were for right-on-red violations. The county is in the process of renegotiating the contract with American Traffic Solutions, the camera vendor; and with the reduction in revenue this change will bring about; it is unclear whether the Arizona-based company that runs the camera service will want to continue here in Collier County.
Naples City Council unanimously approved a plan for an off-leash dog park on a piece of vacant city-owned land near Riverside Circle. It will feature a fenced-in play area, drinking fountains for both man and beast, benches and shady spots and low-maintenance native landscaping. The cost of the construction and maintenance will be funded through private donations. To donate to support the city dog park, send checks made out to the city of Naples – Community Services Department, 280 Riverside Circle, Naples FL 34102 and reference Dog Park in the memo line.
The Naples Zoo is looking to expand and asking Collier County taxpayers to assist with the funding. Zoo leaders are asking for a referendum to gauge support for the idea of additional property tax to fund the purchase of 20-plus acres of land adjacent to the local attraction. The land was to be used as a senior retirement center, but those plans were recently withdrawn. The Zoo’s executive director noted that the last time the Zoo asked residents for money, in 2004, the debt was repaid ahead of schedule. The referendum would go on the November ballot if approved.
The Naples Museum of Art is proud to announce the acquisition of a 12-sculpture installation titled Dawn’s Forest by renowned artist Louise Nevelson. The large sculptures, donated by Georgia-Pacific, had graced the company’s lobby in their Atlanta headquarters for the past 22 years. The staff at the Naples Museum is working especially hard to find the right space for the pieces, which stand approximately 25 feet tall and are 30 feet wide in places. The domed entryway to the museum is currently the likely location for the installation and work is under way beginning this month for the sculptures’ move from Atlanta. The staff hopes that everything will be ready for the fall season.
That’s all from your gal at Premier Properties!
Ruth
