Collier commissioners strike down proposed Braves spring training location

NAPLES, Fla.- Collier County commissioners voted against a proposed location Tuesday to build a spring training facility for the Atlanta Braves.

The Fifth Avenue Advisors investment group was considering building the $75 million project on a piece of land near Collier Boulevard and Interstate 75 but residents in surrounding communities spoke out against the plan at a meeting Tuesday morning.

Homeowners from the Forest Glenn and Verona Walk communities raised concerns over the added volumes of traffic and noise the stadium would bring to the area.

“I came here to Florida for the activities, for the lifestyle and for a little bit of nature,” said Richard Lofthouse. “I don’t want to live in the city and that’s what it would be like during the baseball season.”

The possibility of building a stadium for the Braves in Collier County remains, however, with commissioners asking the investment group to work alongside county staff to find another location.

“The location was critical. Now we have to go back to the baseball team and see if they’re interested in pursuing other sites. If they are, we’re happy to work with the county staff on developing those other ideas,” said Gary Price with the investor group.

“I’m saying we don’t need anymore homes, we need baseball in Collier County as a stimulator for outside investment in our community,” said commissioner Tim Nance. “It can be important, it can work, we shouldn’t dismiss it out of pocket.”

The Major League Baseball team is also considering Palm Beach and Sarasota counties as alternative options.