Naples Redevelopement Interview with Adam Smith

Periodically we try to share with our readers profiles on SW Florida businesses, success stories, and interesting personalities. This month’s newsletter features one of Naples’ emerging forces in the field of downtown redevelopment, Adam Smith of Naples Redevelopment Inc.

 

Naples’ downtown area, which has long been centered around Fifth Avenue South wasn’t always the hotspot it is today. Twenty years ago Fifth Avenue, although quaint (some would call it ‘sleepy’) was in a long running slump. The street was largely a loose collection of offices and service related businesses with a few restaurants and a generally lack-luster retail scene.  City leaders understood that a healthy downtown was vital to to the prosperity of the town and necessary to combat the suburban flight of businesses that had affected so many other downtown areas.  Part of the turnaround was the creation of a City funded redevelopment of the streetscape of Fifth as well as the relaxation of certain zoning codes. Local developer and visionary Jack Antaranian was a major early proponent of the street and redeveloped much of Fifth Avenue as we know it today. Something else besides Fifth Avenue was happening though. As a byproduct of the redevelopment of Fifth Avenue was the fast moving changes to the surrounding residential areas. Small 50’s and 60’s bungalows were being replaced by smaller “urban chic” multi-family projects, many of which were the brain-child of Adam Smith.

 

Adam’s career has spanned over 25 years in construction and development field with the creation of more than 300 homes in the greater Naples area, from Port Royal to Pelican Landing. His projects are all of top quality with many exuding his obvious love of the more contemporary.  That different architectural styling and emphasis was a refreshing change to the market as consumer tastes began to shift away from the often to repeated “Tuscan” look. More recently, Adam’s focus has expanded to include commercial and mixed-use developments. One of Adam’s biggest bets is that downtown Naples will expand into the area between US 41 and Goodlette Road just north of Fifth Avenue, also called the “41-10” corridor (which is the namesake of the special zoning overlay district created by the City of Naples to encourage that area’s redevelopment).  We catch up with Adam and ask him about his plans and visions:

 

 

What is your vision for Naples?

Adam:  Naples is changing and will continue to change a lot, especially over the next few years. 5th Avenue heading east and north in their respected quadrant are the areas that Naples Redevelopment has chosen to focus on. I see that area changing quite a bit, new residential communities, tenants, restaurants, businesses, and even new hotels. There is new life being brought to the area and it’s all happening fairly quickly.

 

Where do see the biggest potential?

Adam: The 41/10 corridor has a lot of potential; it has a lot of downtown urban living space that will reform Naples. There will be lots of pedestrian and bike traffic, offices close to residential, bike to Fifth Avenue shops and restaurants and the beach.

 

 

Do you think US 41 at four corners should be repositioned?

Adam: They continue to talk about that – in my opinion, it doesn’t really affect what’s going on down there. It’s all in the planning stages and a long way out from any sort of decisions.

 

What do you think about the height restrictions in the City of Naples?  How high would like it to go?

Adam: The restrictions are in place for a reason. It’s actually similar to West Palms restrictions. I’d like to be able to build a little higher; a few extra feet would be nice. This would allow residential to have higher ceilings on each floor and commercial to be loftier.

 

What single development would create a watershed moment for the Downtown area?

Adam: The new Naples Square development will have a huge effect. It is aiding in unifying the downtown area to be a ‘complete package.’ We’ll finally be seeing people doing all three: living downtown, working downtown, and enjoying life downtown.

 

 

The two areas, Fifth Avenue and the 41-10 corridor are physically separated by the barrier of a six lane major road? Is there any way to create a pedestrian connection between those two areas or will they always be viewed as separated areas?

Adam: Yes it is possible and yes it would be nice to see something — even if it’s a pedestrian overpass walkway. I believe it could happen. The City is trying to connect the parks downtown, so a pedestrian connection could easily be in the cities best interest.

 

You have invested a lot of your energies to the 41-10 corridor; do you think the Bayshore corridor could attract similar attention by investors and home buyers?

Adam: We have looked a few times and have considered the area; it has potential but never seems to take off. It’s just not an area that we focus on.

 

Just for fun, who’s going to win the world cup?

Adam: Sadly, England, my team is out… but I think Germany could win it. (prediction made during Group Play)

 

 

To learn more about Adam’s firm, check out www.naplesredevelopment.com