Napolatano's building appears headed for demolition to make way for new business

A preliminary development plan submitted to Alachua County calls for the demolition of the former Napolatano's restaurant off Southwest 75th Street.

Here's what we know:

What's in the development plan?

Plans call for the creation of Gainesville Self Storage, an 831-unit, three-story building with a maximum height of 45 feet, and total of about 109,000 square feet of gross floor area. The property would continue to be accessed off Southwest 75th Street/Tower Road.

The developer of the property, 1784 Holdings LLC, describes itself on its website as a "national self-storage developer and owner." The website shows self-storage projects in 11 states and the United Kingdom. All five of its Florida locations are listed as "In development."

2005 story:Kitchen fire sets Napolatano's ablaze

Who owns the property?

Alachua County Property Appraiser's Office records show Health Cosmo Inc. purchased the property from Ginger and Dean Nappy in March 2021 for just over $1 million. The president of Health Cosmo Inc. is listed as Dae J. Kim, who also owns the Great Outdoors Restaurant and the Pink Flamingo Diner in High Springs.

What happened to Napolatano's

Co-owner Ginger Nappy told The Sun in January 2019 that they decided to close the beloved Italian restaurant and bar after 40 years due to her husband's health problems. She said at that time they still planned to provide catering services. The bar area reopened briefly after the severe COVID-19 restrictions enacted in early 2020 were lifted.