2022 Newsletter: Naples City Update

By Ted Blankenship, MPOA Board Treasurer & Naples City Councilman

Since Hurricane Ian hit Naples, the City has been in recovery mode. In order to assure safety, the first priority has been repairing and cleaning the streets, stormwater systems, water lines, and sewer systems. Along with that, partnering with FP&L, phone companies, and internet providers to get services restored to residents went hand in hand with the work of city employees. Longer term, the City will need to finish removing debris, cleaning the beaches, repairing City facilities, and rebuilding the Pier and Lowdermilk Park. Fortunately, it appears that we have insurance, adequate reserves, and federal and state assistance to help cover these costs. City staff will develop a post-storm action report to address shortcomings, lessons learned, and what we can do to harden infrastructure to be more resilient.

Before the hurricane, the City had been focused on implementing several water quality improvement initiatives. These include the Beach Outfall Pipe Removal and the Water Quality Improvement Project on Gulf Shore Boulevard, several stormwater lake remediation projects, and stormwater system improvements. These efforts will continue although the timing may be impacted by the hurricane recovery efforts.

We also plan to continue to address redevelopment standards, affordable workforce housing, inflation impacts, and staff recruitment/retention.

It has been so encouraging to see residents, City and County staff, churches, relief agencies, and service providers unite and work hard to help our beautiful City recover and rebuild! Thanks, everyone!

The full 2022 Newsletter can be found here!