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In the Know: What’s with the grates atop Waterside Shops’ garage?
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Q: What is the purpose of those large, ugly metal grates on the upper sides of the new Waterside parking garages? Unfortunately, the ambiance of the old Waterside has been lost in the new development.
— Richard Lyons, Naples
A: Those are trellises for bougainvillea vines, according to Annette Alvarez, general manager of Waterside Shops.
The boxes on the side of the garage will have flowering vines, too, intended to add some color once in bloom. The entrances to Nordstrom and Saks also will have fountains and lush landscaping, Alvarez said.
“As with anything new, guests have to give it time,” she said. “The old Waterside Shops they loved was due to the lush landscaping that took time to develop. Give us time to get everything completed.”
Q: At the corner of U.S. 41 and Sandpiper Street is a sign that reads: “HOME OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONS NAPLES BRAVES AND NAPLES QUEENS.” To what is it referring?
— Mary Poston, East Naples
A: The Naples Braves girls softball team was the Little League Junior Division champions in 2006, winning its 14th world title. The team made it to the state semifinals last summer.
The Naples Queens, a younger girls softball team, won four World Series titles, the last one in 1991.
The salute to these local teams appeared for years carved on a wooden sign affixed to pier pilings on the northwest corner of Sandpiper and U.S. 41. The “Welcome to Naples” sign had a colorful carving of the Naples Pier and also proclaimed the city as being home to the Naples High School football state champs and the Naples Gators Pop Warner Football national champs.
New larger signs, complete with tiered fountains, were recently erected on both sides of Sandpiper Street. The addition of the signs was part of the renovation of that corner park, a joint effort between Antaramian Development Group and the city, with Antaramian picking up the tab.
The property connects Antaramian’s new Naples Bay Resort and its Cottages at Naples Bay Resort, divided by Sandpiper Street.
The city required Antaramian to include the Braves and Queens on the new sign. In addition to the teams’ names on the south side, the new north sign includes the neighborhood names of Royal Harbor and Oyster Bay.
While the upgraded parks are a nice touch, I liked the old sign better. Not only did it actually welcome visitors to Naples, its look better fit the harbor area. One unfamiliar with the area could be confused that downtown Naples is located between the new, glitzy signs rather than over the Gordon River bridge. It’s a bit misleading.
Speaking of which, I should clear up an item from a recent column.
On April 30, I quoted a county spokeswoman who said dogs are allowed in Cambier Park in Naples. Dogs are permitted in the city park, but they must be on leashes. Because the question inquired about an off-leash dog play area in another park, I didn’t want one to assume this amenity exists at Cambier.
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Tim Aten is chief online editor of the Daily News. E-mail questions with your name and city of residence to intheknow@naplesnews.com.
Find a complete archive of “In the Know” at naplesnews.com/intheknow/
Comments
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Geez Richard I kind of like the grates
#1 Posted by NeezDutz on May 21, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
#2 Posted by YearRoundResident on May 21, 2008 at 9:53 a.m.
NeezDutz, I liked the grates too. They screen the the structure in a way that makes it more visually interesting. The bougainvillea should really add a nice touch.
#3 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on May 21, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, give it a REST, #2!
Do you blame Bush when Publix runs out of your favorite Ben and Jerry's flavor, too??? Or when your TP isn't kind enough on your heiney?
#4 Posted by oyvey1973 on May 21, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Too bad YearRoundResident is here year round. It would be nice to think that a numb skull like that would be some other community's problem a few months out of the year.
#5 Posted by floridasteel on May 21, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I too like the grates. It is about time that we see something other than the typical Mediterranean architecture in this town. Once the bougainvilleas grow in, it should be stunning.
#6 Posted by flfish on May 21, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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