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O C T. 2 5 - 3 1 , 2024
3A | ON THE MEND
4B | REMEMBERING JEBRY
5B | STARRY NIGHTS
Experts say give them time; they’ll heal
voice enthralled Naples audiences for years
Everglades Astronomical Society
Trees browned by Milton?
Dark of night is the right time for the
Paying tribute to a jazz legend whose silky
M O V I N G S T O R M WAT E R P I P E S U N D E R G R O U N D
Tim Aten Knows Tim Aten
Restaurants, more coming to East Naples
FLOOD PROTECTION, GULFSHORE BEAUTY
Q: Can you update us on new restaurants coming to Route 41 and Collier Boulevard or new restaurants in that area? —Tom Curley, Naples 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. It has more than 60 locations, the nearest of which are in Sarasota and Pembroke Pines. Known for its biscuits and gravy, Maple Street has a menu with biscuit sandwiches, waffles, bowls and tacos, as well as beverages that include a variety of coffee drinks, peach-berry lemonade and mimosas. The Squawking Goat, which was featured on the Food Network, is a biscuit sandwich See ATEN KNOWS, Page 11A
A groundbreaking Oct. 15 kicked off an $86.2 million stormwater project to improve the quality of filtered water discharged into the Gulf. Contributed photo
Stormwater project to reduce flooding without industrial eyesore By Aisling Swift
Jon and Rebecca Zoler didn’t want ugly stormwater pipes, pumps and generators to destroy their beautiful beach and Gulf views. They worked with the city of Naples for two years to change the industrial look of a proposed pump station.
GROWTH OF BIKES, E-BIKES, SCOOTERS PROMPTS NAPLES TO MULL NEW CODES By Aisling Swift
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In August 2022, Council had voted 4-3 to approve Erickson Consulting Engineer’s plans, despite Jon Zoler branding them an “enormous monstrosity” that would ruin the charm of Old Naples. The Zolers, who purchased their $6.9 million Third Avenue North home for $1.4 million in 2004, were shocked at the plans, so they developed images to show city officials what the
Bayfont residents Maria Mair and husband Andrew don’t have cars. Instead, they ride one of their six bicycles or a Segway to get around Naples. Last week, Maria Mair hopped on her Segway and rode a mile along city sidewalks and across streets to Naples City Hall to speak to City Council, which is considering updating its codes to control the growth of bicycles, e-bikes, Segways and other micromobility devices. “I run, walk, bike and scooter,”
Mair told Council at the Oct. 14 workshop, noting she uses a bell to alert others she’s passing on the left. “Every single day I go shopping on my bikes. I go all the way up to Publix, I go all the way to dentist appointments up to 4 or 5 miles away. … I use the roads as if I’m driving a car.” Mair rides on U.S. 41, but uses sidewalks on Goodlette-Frank Road, and when she runs between 6 and 7 a.m., she said most bicyclists don’t use lights or bells to alert others. She suggested groups who rent See WHEELS, Page 5A
finished project would really look like. “They didn’t know what they were buying,” Jon Zoler explained, calling the original 18foot pump and 40-foot concrete platform design “ugly beyond belief.” The Zolers and some of the 18 other residents who hired local attorney Matthew McSee STORMWATER, Page 7A
DEVELOPER GETS GREEN LIGHT ON LUXURY PROJECT By Aisling Swift
After suing the city of Naples, an Aspen-based developer’s plans were approved, paving the way for a luxury project of condominiums, boutique retailers and restaurants that will serve as a gateway to downtown. Naples City Council unanimously approved a subdivision replat that changes the boundaries of the 900 block of Fifth Avenue South, 936 Fifth Ave. S. and Sixth Avenue South, nearly 2.5 acres of a 4.32-acre
site owned by Colorado-based M Development as 5th Avenue South Holdings LP. The approval formalizes terms of a June 19 lawsuit settlement. That agreement reduces intensity, improves traffic circulation and agrees alleyways and rights of way won’t be vacated — allowing them to be used for public utilities and a tree-shaded pedestrian shopping walkway. Key terms involved dropping plans for underground parking and big-box retailers, including See DEVELOPMENT, Page 11A
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Zach Maloch
Matt Devitt