Naples Beach plans to undergo $8M sand restoration project

Collier County leaders plan to spend $8 million this November to renourish Naples Beach by bringing in truckloads of sand to restore the shoreline and replace sand lost over time. “That’s a wonderful thing. It’s only money to make things better,” said Guy Anselmo, a Naples resident. The county expects the new sand to provide about five years of protection, assuming there are no major hurricanes. The project will be funded with tourist development tax dollars, and the county plans to ask the state to reimburse some of the costs. Edgar Pagés, who travels from Miami to Naples multiple times a year, shared his thoughts on the beach. “I like it. It’s very calm, very peaceful. The water feels almost like a swimming pool, it seems to me. And I love the sand,” Pagés said. Some residents have expressed concerns off-camera about construction noise and access to the beach during the project. Anselmo said the temporary inconvenience is worth the long-term benefits. “Well, you know, there’s always noise with improvement and a little bit of noise for a few days to protect the beach here. It’s well worth it. I would say,” Anselmo said. County commissioners are expected to vote on the project next Tuesday. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.