Naples city leaders approve funding for 2 major projects

NAPLES, Fla.- It’s your money and city leaders voted to spend more than $500,000 on two big projects.

One is a design for a new fire station. The other, is to improve medians along Gulf Shore Boulevard North.

City leaders say the medians are overgrown and older and the plants are competing for root space.

The city will spend $360,000 to renovate at least 52 medians along Gulf Shore Drive North.  The city plans to keep some of the existing trees and install royal palms, bird of paradise and island ficus.

Naples City Council also voted to spend $150,000 on planning and design services for a new fire station for the city.

The building will replace the current fire station at 8th Street South and 8th Avenue South.  The current fire station was built in 1995. But, it was built with residential materials and is not hurricane compliant.

The fire department will also move its headquarters into the new facility. It will cost about $4 million.  The city has been saving money each year in preparation to replace the facility.