Historic Corridor Named Finalist in Annual Great Places Award
Bonita Springs, FL · October 10, 2026
Grab a basket early if you are heading over to the Promenade, where the open-air market begins its Saturday routine under cool morning shadows. Once the sun climbs, you will want to claim a shady bench before the afternoon heat settles in.
The Lead
The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association has selected the historic Old 41 corridor as one of four statewide finalists for its 2026 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award. Celebrating public corridors designed for human connection, the nomination reflects a decade of careful planning across the downtown core. The turning point arrived with the 2017 streetscape overhaul, when the city installed wider brick pavers, planted native shade trees, and rebuilt stormwater basins beneath the asphalt. That municipal groundwork sparked a rush of private investments, drawing indie coffee shops, local craft kitchens, and community gatherings to Riverside Park. Whether downtown claims the top statewide trophy or not, APA Florida plans to present the final award tallies at its annual conference in November.
Local Pulse
Council Advances Elevation Grants for Flood-Prone Homes City Hall Homeowners in repeat-loss neighborhoods can tap federal resilience funds to lift foundations above high-water marks.
Structural Framing Complete at Historic Elementary Campus Schools Crews finished raising the main structure, keeping the modern forty-million-dollar replacement facility on schedule for campus operations.
Beach Parking Pass Reimbursements Open for Residents Community Eligible households can submit county parking permit receipts through the city portal to receive full local reimbursement.
What's On Around Town
Today
Bonita Springs Farmers Market Promenade at Bonita Bay (26795 S Bay Dr), 8:00 AM–Noon · Free Stock up on local citrus, artisan cheeses, and freshly baked sourdough loaves.
Rocktoberfest Paradise Coast Sports Complex (3940 City Gate Blvd S), Naples, 6:00–9:00 PM · Free Rock Republic headlines an evening of stadium anthems, bratwurst, and craft beer.
Mud and Blues: Storytelling and Swamp Blues Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center (10150 Bonita Beach Rd SE), 7:30 PM · $20 Slide guitar, swamp blues, and tall tales exploring wild Florida history.
Tomorrow
Boo at the Zoo Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens (1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd), Naples, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM · Paid
Concert Series: Jacob's Ladder Bayside Veterans Park, Fort Myers Beach, 4:00–7:00 PM · Free
Monday
Comedian Sheena Reagan Live Off the Hook Comedy Club (2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd), Naples, 7:00 PM · Paid
Stardust Memories Big Band Cambier Park Bandshell (755 8th Ave S), Naples, 7:00–9:00 PM · $10
Spotlight & Story
- Lords of the Forest Tucked into the lawn northeast of the Liles Hotel, this 2007 bronze by sculptor Jane DeDecker captures three children scrambling over a fallen log. Cast as one of twenty-one editions, the textured figures rest quietly in the live oak shade.
Bonita Springs Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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