The In the Know questions from you about what’s become a one-mile expanse of monster construction along what at one time had been a lonely stretch of Southwest Florida highway are many, such as these.
“Hi Phil. I enjoy reading your column, and now I find myself writing to you about the developments going on in my backyard: Old 41 in downtown Bonita Springs. So much has been done over the years to restore and maintain the ‘downtown’ nature of the village,” said reader Barbara McMahon. “Can you tell us what the plan is for the area from Terry to Bonita Beach Road?
“Right now there is major construction of a luxury apartment complex − Imperial 41 − that spans both sides of the river. And just a block south, the area where the Lee Sheriff had a satellite station is fenced off for construction, and the park across the street is also fenced off. (The) city has developed Old 41 into a lovely walkable road with islands and great landscaping. Will it be overwhelmed?”
“Hello Phil, I’m a 25 year seasonal visitor from New York, and I own a home here. I’m hoping you can provide some answers to my question,” said reader Jane Stein. “I am shocked to see what is going on in downtown Bonita − what is being put up? (I) do enjoy reading your columns. It’s interesting to see what has happened here in these last 20 years.”
Thank you for the kind words and questions. And yes, it’s been interesting to see what has happened just in the months since the Sugarshack Downtown made its debut last year near the front end of this latest Bonita Boom. We wrote a few days ago about the bonkers Bonita Beach west-east expansion. Now, here’s what to know on the north-south surge.
What’s behind Imperial 41 housing in Bonita Springs, Florida?
Let’s start with the Imperial 41 embodiment that was just referenced in the heart of downtown Bonita.
It’s a mixed-use development from Barron Collier Companies and CAPREIT, which officially kicked off construction just before 2026 emerged.
How did Lee County’s Imperial 41 come together in Bonita?
The Imperial River site, which sits across from what I’ve referred to as the Everglades Wonder Gardens since my elementary school field trips, has been vacant for more than two decades.
This isn’t just another build − it’s a public-private partnership between the developers and the City of Bonita Springs, a model that’s gaining traction across Florida thanks to legislation encouraging this type of relationship.
How large will Imperial 41 be in SW Florida’s Bonita Springs?
The city has leased the land to the firms for 99 years, with the idea of allowing them to create a walkable community while preserving public access to the riverfront.
The project will include 120 market-rate apartments and 19,000 square feet of commercial space, split between two buildings.
What are different components of Imperial 41 in SWFL’s Bonita?
The north building, along Goodwin Street, will be fully residential, while the south building, closer to Old 41 Road, will feature retail, restaurant and office space on the ground floor with apartments above, according to Barron Collier Companies.
The city plan is for Imperial 41 to offer two public parks, bike racks, public restrooms, a fire pit, free public parking and even a kayak launch on the Imperial, among other amenities.
What’s the history of Imperial River site in Bonita Springs, Florida?
This site has a long history. It was once home to Bamboo Village, a 55+ mobile home park that later became a low-income community before the city purchased the land in the early 2000s.
A redevelopment attempt in 2008 fizzled out during the housing crisis, leaving the land idle until early 2027 when completion is targeted.
Bonita Springs: ‘Our vision for more vibrant modern downtown’
Now let’s get to those fenced off historically green city areas about a block south of this manifestation, where the city said in a statement, “Our vision for a more vibrant, accessible and modern downtown is rapidly taking shape. Incredible progress is being made on transformative developments that will redefine the downtown experience.”
The city has been embarking on an at least decade-long move to update and develop its parks and recreation areas, programs and services. That’s in part due to some funds coming out of the more than $1 billion in Hurricane Ian recovery money secured by the Biden administration for the Lee County region, the kind of disaster relief help that largely won’t come again after massive federal cuts and changes last year for FEMA and other agencies.
What’s plan for Old 41 Riverside Park in Bonita Springs, Florida?
For the fenced off Riverside Park, a first phase has been completed, and the second has begun, with completion expected by winter and an overall budget in the 2025-26 fiscal year capital improvement plan of $3.5 million. The endeavor includes lighting, electrical, artificial turf, landscaping, irrigation, pavers, concrete and curbing, site furnishings and exterior improvements to the bandshell, which is scheduled to briefly reopen for an Independence Day celebration.
Plans are also in the works for the almost adjacent Liles Hotel Plaza, but what’s left of the century-old Goodbread Grocery Store and Dixie Moon Café next to it won’t be part of that thanks to a May 20 determination by the Bonita Springs City Council. It voted for demolishing, in overriding a decision by the Planning and Zoning Board.
What’s happening to land next to Bonita Springs banyan tree?
Across the street from Riverside, in connection with the city’s treasured banyan tree, a splash park, plaza, shade structure pavilions and a restroom building are coming together as part of the scope that should also be finished by winter. The budget in the 2025-26 fiscal year capital improvement plan: $2.1 million.
The idea is for fun with the water jets during the day and virtual fountain animations with music in the darker hours, according to the city’s Historic Preservation Board. Bonita Springs Historical Society information provided Tuesday, June 2 indicated that in 1921, pioneer Cordell Smith carried what was then a small banyan tree from the Imperial River and planted it to “become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Bonita Springs. (The) banyan has watched Bonita grow from a small settlement.”
What is the HoneyHole Downtown in Bonita Springs, Florida?
On the opposite side of the street from Banyan park, Rooftop at Riverside and Chartreuse, Hide.A.Wai mojita bar tied to Alligator Bay Distillers is concocting its upcoming grand opening at 27306 Old 41 Road, according to the Bonita Springs Downtown Alliance.
Moving south on our sampling of what’s ahead, the alliance says groundwork has begun on a restaurant and music venue along the Ragsdale Street roundabout in the lot across from For Heavens Shakes ice cream. Known as HoneyHole Downtown, it involves Moran Kennedy builders and RDA Consulting Engineers, among the same cats who helped bring its also sweetly named sibling Sugarshack to life.
What’s Project Telephone in Southwest Florida’s Bonita Springs?
Another block south, that pairing is also among the players at 27550 Old 41, where the shell for the first half of Project Telephone was nearly complete with the second restaurant building’s walls going up as June arrived, according to the alliance. Next to Downtown Coffee and Wine Company, the site, where Moran says a telecom building from the 1950s had been, was among those being leased in Bonita by CBRE real estate.
And it’s the operators of Downtown Coffee, who also run The Bohemian and Canary Club and have just opened the Wichcraft sandwich shop in the Entrada plaza at the Bonita Beach Road intersection. Across the street from that, Ceremony Brewing continues to serve up craft drafts while an update continues around it.
Readers wonder on future of downtown Bonita neighborhoods
While this dramatic change certainly means more options, such as dining, there could be other consequences, too, such as the increased traffic that’s already happening, as noted by Barbara McMahon, the reader we quoted earlier. Plus, decades ago, some residents found themselves priced out of the downtown Naples area after the major evolution there, and more recently that’s been happening in Naples Park, with home rebuilds galore in the northern Collier County perch near the beach and Mercato.
“This Old 41 area of Bonita Springs has always been a haven for the local population, which is mostly composed of immigrants who provide us with the labor and services to keep our homes and our properties managed, Many of them have modest homes in the surrounding streets,” McMahon said. “Will the developers begin to take over the surrounding neighborhoods to build high-end homes? We are at risk to lose the one local piece of old Florida, and the community that has developed around it.”
Writing In the Know for the USA TODAY Network, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts. Sign up for our free Breaking Ground growth and development newsletter. Subscribe to our News-Press and Naples Daily News apps.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Mile of momentum. Old 41 rapid transformation reshapes downtown Bonita
Reporting by Phil Fernandez, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Phil Fernandez, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
