Efforts to redevelop the
Bayshore community in East Naples haven’t gone unnoticed. In recent years,
improvements in infrastructure, crime rates and beautification have gradually
transformed the area. With more projects in the works, Bayshore can expect to see
even more changes in the coming months.
Flowers,
shrubs and trees now adorn areas of Bayshore and Thomasson drives, and
Lunar and Bayview streets. On Pineland Avenue, storm water improvements were
recently completed to deter flooding. And on Bayshore Drive, visitors flock to
Naples Botanical Gardens, which welcomed 217,000 visitors last year, and enjoy
meals at several restaurants such as Taqueria San Julian and Three60 Market.
Rebecca
Maddox opened the latter eatery in 2012 after spending two years renovating an
inoperable building, which now serves as a lime-green beacon of light at the
intersection of Bayview and Bayshore, next to Haldeman Creek.
Three60 Market offers a
waterfront dining experience, where customers can enjoy breakfast, lunch and a
large assortment of wine, cheeses and baked goods.
“(Bayshore
Drive) needed to be gentrified. At one point…it was where all the drugs and
prostitutes were and most of Naples did not come to this street,” Maddox said.
“Most people did not believe (Three60 Market) would work because it wasn’t the
right side of town.”
Contrary
to people’s beliefs, Maddox pushed forward with a dream of starting the next
SoHo, where dozens of unique businesses would line the art-filled streets,
serving as a local hangout spot for young and old.
But she
can’t do it alone, she said, and hopes to serve as a catalyst for business
owners to set up shop in Bayshore.
“I
thought if I did this and the botanical was there, that would give people
enough courage to start businesses here. But it hasn’t quite yet. We still have
a lot of people who…think it’s too risky,” Maddox said.
Frank
Garofalo agrees.
It was
a little over a year ago when he opened the doors to Baci Pizzeria, located at
2364 U.S. 41 East.
Baci,
known for its Brooklyn-style pizza, offers an authentic Italian dining experience
in Bayshore.
Born in
Italy, Garofalo and his family immigrated to New York when he was a little boy,
and settled down in Brooklyn, where he went on to own several restaurants
before moving to Naples.
While
he’s relatively new to the area, he sees a lot of potential in Bayshore,
despite its reputation.
“I
think it’s going to be the next Fifth Avenue. Everyone talks so bad about
Bayshore. It has a bad reputation, a lot of drugs…but it’s nothing like
that…it’s a great investment there,” he said.
Penny
Taylor, the Collier County commissioner for District 4, said Bayshore was
considered “unsafe” before the Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency
(CRA) was established.
“Because
of the distance from the Gulf, the redevelopment has taken some time. It has
been seen as an unsafe area and wasn’t zoned for redevelopment,” Taylor said.
Established
in 2000, the CRA uses tax increment financing to fund redevelopment projects in
two areas within the county: Bayshore/Gateway Triangle and Immokalee, according
to Kate Albers, public information coordinator for Collier County.
While
Bayshore has seen many improvements, there’s still room for growth.
“We
certainly think the projects coming in are exciting and will bring more people
and more residents to the area and continue to make Bayshore the beautiful,
thriving place that it’s become,” Albers said.
Adam
Kelley plans to brew up a new business — Bayshore Brewgarden.
The
microbrewery and garden will occupy a 6,000-square-foot building, formerly
known as Small Engine World, located at 3555 Bayshore Drive.
“We
hope to be a gathering place for locals and tourists alike,” Kelley said.
He
plans to brew up a variety of beers and sodas, and offer non-alcoholic
beverages for patrons under 21.
Design
plans include space for food truck parking and indoor and outdoor pet-friendly
seating revolving around a lush garden at the rear of the building.
In
order to keep his patrons safe, Kelley plans to implement a designated driver
program that will offer free non-alcoholic beverages to designated drivers.
The
brewery is a family affair.
While
Kelley plans to run the daily operations of the brewery, his parents, Lois and
Bill Kelley, will help with logistics.
“I’ve
been a home brewer as a hobby,” Adam Kelley said, adding that his dad was the
one who noticed the lack of breweries in Southwest Florida.
Adam
Kelley was living in Colorado at the time and moved back to Naples, where he’s
originally from, and found himself wanting “to turn a hobby into a passion.”
He’s
now studying to be a master brewer and hopes to put his knowledge to use.
The
brewery is currently at the last leg of the development phase, but no building
permits have been submitted yet. If everything goes as planned, Adam Kelley
hopes to open up shop in February in time for Valentine’s Day.
Something
else is brewing in Bayshore waters.
Maddox
is in talks with Collier County to build a family-friendly culinary park on a
vacant commercial lot she purchased for $1.1 million at the intersection of
Bayshore Drive and Becca Avenue, across the creek from her restaurant.
The
project is still awaiting approval. Maddox is working with David Corban, a
local architect and plans to meet with county officials next week in hopes of
moving the project further along.
She has
big plans for the park, and said community response has been nothing but
positive.
The
park will serve as a beautiful gathering spot for families to enjoy food from
local food truck vendors, with dockside fresh fish, a tiki bar and plenty of
outdoor seating and parking spots.
Several
home developers are also setting their sights on Bayshore.
Mattamy
Homes plans to build 270 condo units at the northwest corner of Bayshore and
Thomasson drives. It’s not yet known when construction will begin, Albers said.
There
will also be several single-family homes built on land that was formerly home
to decrepit mobile homes.
A new
Montessori school hopes to fill the need for more educational options in the
area.
The
Garden School, which is early in the development stage, will reside on Bayshore
Drive. The school’s staff already has plans to work with the local botanical
garden on various programs, Albers said.
Residents
can also expect roadway improvements.
The CRA
is working to complete a design plan to improve Thomasson Drive. Additions
include landscaping, lighting and bike and walking paths between Bay Street and
Dominion Drive.
Also in
the design phase: an easy-access pathway to Sugden Regional Park, starting at
Bayshore Drive and making its way through CRA-owned property to the park.
For more info on homes for sale in communities like Bayshore Drive or Windstar On Naples Bay visit us online at NaplesHomeSearcher.com
