If this is a legitimate deal, and I doubt it, "jack" should recognize that he has made a tremendous amount of money in Naples and now it is time to give something back.
So let him donate the land and get a tax break.

I've been coming to Naples for years. Although I've just become a full time resident, one of the biggest reasons is, there's much more to do. Naples is more alive than ever, thanks to Antaramian. He continues to bring life and beauty to fifth ave. and other parts of Naples. Tourism does a great deal for Naples. Again, Antaramian is a key player. He's a thinker and has proven to be productive. He is a business man. Think long and hard. Antaramian put a great deal of blood, sweat, and tears into fifth ave. Whether he keeps or sells the 22 acres for Renaissance Village, I'm sure he'll make sure it doesn't ruin the classy vibe it took him so long to create.

I thought it was Duany who came over from Miami and told Fifth Ave. people how to lively up?

Naples Central Park??

If Naples Winter Wine Festival can raise $14 million in 4 hours for childrens charities, how about a Naples Central Park Festival??

History has proven all along that people or groups with carefully defined and written missions have always led, surpassed, or defeated those who don't have one.

One of the keys to leaving a lasting legacy is to live a life with little or no regrets.

Naples Central Park Festival??

What a tax write off for all those rich & not so famous people to step forward and help one of their own out (J.A.).

Naples needs more than an additional open flat park, we need a activities center. A facility which can offer opportunities for every group of Naples citizens from young children to active seniors. A place to get out of the sun while experiencing the good health and social benefits of "play".

The primary shortcoming of our current parks is that there is no way to take a break and "get out of the sun". Think of Fleischmann, Cambier and Lowdermilk, when you have had enough sun exposure, it's time to go home. If your reaction to this statement is to suggest the concession stand at Lowdermilk, the billiard tables at the Norris Center or Fleischmann Park's "activities???" building, which was very handsomely refinished, but so small it is useless to anyone but its important and highly competent park staff, you are looking at this as an outsider who has not spend hours at any of these parks. Would it not be nice to be able to step inside an open, clean and welcoming facility which would allow everyone to cool down and refresh and participate in indoor activities.

A properly planned overall facility should include outdoor fields, playground equipment and courts of play, blended within a walking/jogging park. And to address our storm water issues, a well engineered facility can incorporate a storm water storage system immediately beneath its parking and field areas, to hold not only this properties storm water, but storm water from some areas proximate to this location.

Here is the "key" question, are we willing to pay for this ourselves? There will be no "park fairy" who will come at night when we are all sleeping and wave her magic wand and we will wake to find this "gem". We have to be willing to back public financing, and if necessary, be will to pay, here comes that dreaded word, an "assessment", for this opportunity.

Heaven forbid anyone make any money and be successful. The have nots always harassing the haves. Yes Duany made "suggestions" for 5th Ave, and came up with a "plan" (not for free by the way) but he certianly didn't pay for it. Jack did when no one else would. He did a great job on 5th , regardless of what services/business' are there now and he made money at the same time, didnt know that was such a shame.

He didn't cry when he was making a fortune, why should he cry now that he's going to lose about 15 million?
Unless it's going to be the usual-socialism for the rich and social darwinism for the rest?
On the other hand it would be a great spot for a "high end" Flea Market!
That way morally and financially bankrupt Republicans could have a place to sell off their ill-gotten knick knacks!

Hmmmm I wonder if dear old Bob Lee was invited to attend as well, do a little reminiscing? LOL

If Jack is as shrewd a businessman as I've heard he was he won't be giving anything away.

You may have noticed that no one is paying 'fair market value' these days.
'Real market value' is about 10 million.
If this is not a shell game (which I suspect it is) perhaps "Jack" figures he can sell it to the City for 5-10 million more than he can get from a private buyer.

Obviously the market is not very good right now and Jack has the insight to know if he wants to take a chance on floating this land any further until absorption of existing inventory picks up. I assume he doesn't have the capacity to develop this property within a reasonable time frame and at price points that will sell especially with all the inventory that's out there including his own so it just doesn't make any sense to increase supply and actually hurt the value of the inventory you already have. Looking at public records the owner of the property is Brompton Road Partners who is owned by Sloane Street Partners which is also managed by Fred Pezeshkan (Kraft Construction) in addition to Jack. Also within public records you can see a $40 Million Mortgage with Regions Bank that appears to be associated with the Property and just recently in April 2008 it was modified to allow a future advance of approximately $5 Million so that probably bought them some time, however, given the scrutiny of regulators in the financial sector right now, especially on Land Deals, they've got to be getting worried about this thing being shut down. This is basically a proposed short sale to the City that will need to be approved by Regions. Maybe the City should just cut out the middle man and go straight to Regions to see how much of a discount they would sell the Loan for since you could possibly negotiate a better deal with them upfront... and not chance Jack negotiating a buy-back option or some other crazy thing. After you purchase the Loan then you just foreclose on the property or work something out with Jack at that point in time. Possibly get him to give you a deal on building a park or whatever... maybe even name it after him. It's mutually benefical to all parties then... Regions gets some of its money back, the City gets a new park, Jack gets out of a land deal and saves face while making a few bucks constructing a park or something for the City. Personally I think a health club with an indoor basketball facility, racquetball courts, daycare, a spa would be nice. Maybe even a little executive par 3 course with a nature trail could be planned or possibly a public olympic sized swimming pool. Do something that people will enjoy... that way it can be run like a business and pay for itself by the main users and subsidized by the City if need be. Creates jobs... positive growth for the community and beautifies it. That's what I'd work to do.

Collier County residents and business owners should get used to the following two phrases: revenue neutral and unfunded request.

One department head after another presented his or her financial cutbacks to county commissioners on Thursday, but each had a sheet of requests for which the county has no money.

So the City believes that somehow they will be exempt from the realities of the economy.

Our money to rescue 5th Avenue from themselves is bad policy. Even if they decided to buy this land and put in all parking and shuttles for downtown. Coconut Point, Mercado, The Collections at Vanderbilt. Bass Pro Shops etc will continue to take market share from 5th Avenue.

Youngtimer: You need to cut back on whatever you're smoking or huffing!!!
How in heaven's name is a swimming pool and par 3 golf paying off a $12,000,000 note????

Kneejerk: You're right on the mark!
Bonita Springs dodged a bullet at Bamboo Village.
Let the market run its course with Renuissance!
Had the buildings on 5th done so well they would've been mortgaged instead of sold.
My 12 year old Monopoly-playing son knows that much!!!

There was a health club on the property just last year, they tore it down.

Naplestango... what are you smoking?.... a project like this is going to cost a hell of a lot more than $12,000,000. That amount wouldn't even cover the land acquisition. If I'm wrong about that then Jack, please respond because I'll put something together. As for the use of the 22 acres the City will have to make sure that it can generate some revenues. Therefore some careful thought and analysis needs to take place as to development, design, optimum land use and feasibility. This property has a lot of potential for the City if developed properly but it has to be geared towards revenue. Naplestango please look up the definition for the word subsidy and then read my previous post again and maybe you'll put two and two together to get the picture (More revenue from the property = less subsidy) as I was just giving examples of possibile on-site facilities. The Highest and Best Use for the property is definitely Residential / Office / Retail but for the City it may be a number of things including a new City Hall, etc. Bottom line the City needs to look at all the numbers while negotiating a price for the land so they can get an idea for the total cost including construction and see what kind of revenue can be generated. Once that's determined then they should put it to the voters, otherwise they're just sitting out in left field picking daisies and tossing them into the wind. Obviously this will take some time which is why they don't anticipate it being on the November ballot.

I say let Jack deal with that property and encourage the city to focus on waterfront acquisitions like the 4 acres of nearly condemned apartments adjacent to Anthony Park off 5th ave. N. Purchasing that property could result in a 12 acre park on the Gordon River with a couple thousand feet of waterfront and a naturally shaped marina (not to mention the decrease in crime) -- the people of Naples need convenient boat access and a nice waterfront park; drop Pulling Park and Renaissance village and focus on expanding Anthony Park for an improved quality of life in the city of Naples.