Why are they still building???

If you truly had any knowledge, let alone understanding, projects like this one take years to develop & plan, not to mention a great deal of money in doing so. With millions into the project already, it would be foolish to halt the project (which could cause more head-aches than needed). If the project were canceled, all money invested into it already would be lost. Remember, it is simply a cycle of recession that our real estate economy is going through. It will get better. Step outside of your bubble & open your mind. Go to the beach, relax, & post comments that make sense!

I understand your post aesans, but the economy is in a recession, people are losing jobs still, strip plazas and malls have vacant shops now, businesses are still going out of business is The_Brooks point I believe..
Millions into the ongoing project vs. the money lost by long time shop vacancies is a tough toss up.

The Lutgerts and the Colliers are providing over 400 jobs on just this one project. Because of them and people like them, Naples has been immune from the vicissitudes of the state, national, and international economic swings. These folks have more clout than most nations and will keep us afloat with their faith in our community's future.

Superintendent Thompson and you other Chicken Littles, please take note.

Our 5-star hotels are not closing. The airport is busy with corporate and private jets. The food supply is strong. Our many banks and churches are thriving. Schools and hospitals are not closing. Traffic in our streets is as hectic as ever. Lots of roads are still under construction. I haven't been to the beach for a good long while, but I'll bet there's still sun, sand, and surf enough for everyone.

The sun keeps rising every morning. Just hold on. Resist the belief of the armageddon-now factions among us.

We're building it, but they stopped coming.

The continued paving over of the Flodia lamdscape. Enough is enough.

At least the workers at Mercato have jobs...good for them
Just need enough work to get through this cycle of recession because it won't last forever

As aesans stated with a project this large it is hard to just halt forward progress at the late stage of planning it was in when the market started to decline.

At least this project is providing 400 jobs to people who otherwise would probably not be working it it were not for this.

No matter what the economy does the high end visitors and part time residents will always come down in the winter months. There will always be some sort of market for this type of development even if the rest of the market slows down.

You bring up a good point Nekayah, that the Collier and Lugert interests have a very large say on what goes on here locally. They drive a good portion of the local politics and economy.

My god are some of you stupid. This project does not provide 400 jobs, that is just the workers directly involved. That does not include sales, suppliers, fabricators and professionals. The total on a job like this is in the thousands effected.

What do you people want, everyone to jump on the poor me pity train and sit around the house. Obviously, some people have not given up on Naples and when this project is done, it should employ several hundred to a thousand workers.

If you recall, the site was home to a condemmed old restaurant and a not so wonderful vacant lot that only provided a home to rats, snakes and a racoon or two. Now it will provide tax money, sales tax money and JOBS.

Oh, most of you don't want a JOB because you would have to WORK. Whining is low effort.

These buildings will bring more in property tax revenues than empty lots. This keeps the money coming in for the politicians to spend without raising our taxes. Look to the bright side folks!

Hey at least their not like GATES, they use and employ LOCAL subcontractors.........

Just what we need....more shopping and overpriced condos.

They are only overpriced if you can't afford it.

Its overpriced for myself, but, the wealthy whom like this area, its really kinda cheap.

Keep on building, and keep the economy moving.

Bet they would like a pier down the street

T least a pier would get used. Those condos are gonna be empty for a while along with the 16,000 other empty homes in Collier County. Someday, we will learn not to base an economy on constant construction...now would be a good time.

Did anybody check out that site plan? This isn't the typical gated up tower outparcel strip mall garbage you see everywhere else. There's alot of quality in design as well as solid construction evident. Too bad the stuff out there sitting to be sold couldn't just melt away into the ground like tasteless fruit left to rot. Too much of what was built in the last ten years was built just to sell with everybody standing in line to eat it up. Not much real thought of actual community and living. Curb appeal all the way. This project with it's mixed use and proximity creates an urban environment that I can see will thrive. Those other 4,000+ units out there will just have to wait longer before they're unloaded. Nice to see some leadership in local development instead of just feeding at that now empty trough.

The Lutgerts and Colliers are greedy developers! Lutgert is now even in North Carolina trying to stick their nose there for development dollars. Plus who, in the world would buy these overpriced things? Most people with the money have wised up and either are trying to sell and leave, have sold and left, or are not even going to Naples. It will look pretty sad in Naples soon, when all the "for rent" and "vacancy" signs appear more often in the windows of businesses...

Naplesjeff, do you even have a job or are you living in a cardboard box on some squatted piece of land? Greedy Developers? Define greed, do you even know the definition, probably not, just plain stupid. Do you never purchase anything, because someone is making a profit on you. So, when you buy that quart of beer and ciggys at the convenience store, someone is making money on you and isn't that the same greed?

LOL I own quite a lot! And yes I have a very good job, since I went to college and work as a professional in the real world. And I am so smart I sold my house in Naples before you all sunk, made 200k and moved to NC! So there! Did I mention I graduated from the U of M in A2, MI?

Go blue! LOL

I agree Naplesjeff.

I already see the sings going up now. Naples is in trouble. Good luck in North Carolina. Just pray that all the developers don't reck that area too.

Naplesjeff if you live in NC and went to MI., why do you still call yourself "Naples"jeff. Are you trying to impress someone? LMAO

I liked Pelican Bay,Pelican Marsh,Bonita Bay,Colliers Rerserve,Park Shore when it was natural and thriving with trees and wildlife not stockmarket, white collar snobs!

"And the beat goes on"...Most of the negative rockhead posters here must be related to Grandfather Rockhead in the twenties who said...."Who in their right mind would live or work in the mosquito infested swamps of Florida.' I don't suppose you would like to have title to thousands of acres in SW Florida today at 1990's prices!! Must be nice in your dark little rooms living off your kids!

Nekayah, I agree with you. We aren't even in a Recession per the classic macroeconomic definition, but Warren Buffett thinks we are in one, so I defer to someone with his background to set new boundaries... (our economy still grew but it grew little).

Once this project got started it makes more economic sense to finish it than to let permits expire. The very wealthy are least affected by variations in economic outlook, so if projects like this one can attract more wealth great....their money spends and helps the local economy.

Suntan, Laladadeda20 is right, this area hasn't been "real Florida" for years.

naplesjeff:don't you need to change your screen name to NCJeff? If you are so happy with NC, why bother with us who are so dumb as to want to still live in this area? North Carolina and other states have similar issues with developers. Few states have escaped.

So, you like profits NaplesJeff. Just don't want others to make profits.

Enjoy BFE NC and I'd love to see that diploma, you read more like an Ohio State Grad than a Michigan.