Chris Curle/Special to the Eagle

Staff of Orion Bank on Marco, ready for their “In The Round” event at the bank, a town hall-type meeting about the Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge. Left to right: Marianne Riordan, Rebecca Woods, Laura Burgo, Tracey Barnett, Marlene Ellis, Elena Palomba and Vice President and Branch Manager Keith Dameron.

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Remember a few years ago when the major topic of every gathering on Marco Island, from mass to Rotary to the Esplanade Bar, was real estate – who bought what or sold what for how much and what someone was about to buy next?

That went out like a low tide on speed. We didn’t talk much about real estate for a couple of years. And when we did it more often that not was in hushed tones, such as:

“Did you notice the house up the block is in foreclosure?” Or, “There must be a million other condos just like ours for sale right now.” Shhhh.

Have you noticed the change in the chat recently? After a few real estate pros and some hesitatingly encouraging statistics, I’m starting to hear people say things like, “Maybe the bottom is over now.” Or “If I had the money I’d be buying here right now.”

Such optimism often is more a whisper than a shout, but it’s there. Recent statistics from the state and local Realtors organizations tell the tale, at least in part.

In case you missed the latest figures, single-family homes on Marco Island increased 66 percent from May of last year to this past May. Prices for the same period were down four percent.

Sales of condos on Marco were up about two percent, May to May. And prices were up 25 percent in the same period.

Figures can hide underlying factors or exaggerate current conditions, but the feeling is that the worst is over and the inventory glut may be on the wane. I realize that new stats may emerge tomorrow to refute all the above.

Still, some people, if not still frowning, are keeping a stiff upper lip or discussing real estate with a straight face. (I know, mixed metaphors don’t help much.)

Let us know how you see the real estate scene on Marco Island.

Emails: chris@chriscurle.com or don@donfarmer.com. – Don

A bridge ‘In The Round’

One of the most comprehensive discussions so far on what to do about the Judge SS. Jolley Bridge will take place Wednesday, July 30, at Orion Bank on Marco Island.

My guess is the event already is maxed out on attendance, but you might phone the bank (403-5169) to see if you can squeeze in.

The audience will have a chance to quiz an array of experts on the bridge, its current condition and its possible future – enlarged to four lanes, renovated, rebuilt, whatever.

Experts include Norman Feder, Collier County Transportation Administrator; Phillip Tindall, director, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO); Johnny Limbaugh, FDOT-Southwest Area Manager and Bill Trotter, Marco Island City Council.

Orion Bank has offered groundbreaking events in recent months as part of Vice President/Manager Keith Dameron’s “In The Round” series. This sort of town meeting on the bridge issue is the latest of almost a dozen such events.

These popular programs have covered such disparate subjects as the history of Blues music with Little Eddie and the Fat Fingers, “Opera for Everyone,” “The Truth About Real Estate,” identity theft and more.

The Oct. 29 “In the Round” will be a look at the health of medical care in America, with a focus on the trend toward “concierge care” practices by some doctors.

Oh yeah, the “In The Round” events also include free refreshments.

– Chris

Code Red: Read all about it

Code Red is one of the most successful public service programs from the City of Marco Island, but we recently realized that some Islanders haven’t been getting the word.

It’s not the city’s fault, but officials are eager to get everybody plugged in to this citizen alert program. The key is, you have to sign up for it.

When water service was turned off for one work-day to residents of the city’s Lamplighter district – part of the sewer project there – City Hall got calls from residents who were surprised to find their faucets not working that Monday morning.

Apparently they had not signed up for Code Red alerts. Those who had got calls on any phone numbers they had provided the city, including cell phones.

So if you were one who didn’t get the water shutoff news, or someone who wants to get Code Red calls in future, you have to let the city know.

It’s easy. You can log on to the city’s official web site: www.cityofmarcoisland.com, scroll down to the Code Red logo on the left side and click on the “CodeRED Notification System.” You provide your phone numbers, address, etc. and you’ll get the calls.

If you don’t use the Internet or e-mail, phone City Hall, 389-5000 and ask for Lisa Douglass, the city’s Public Information Coordinator. The Code Red system was especially valuable in past weather emergencies. We wouldn’t be without it.

– Chris