Real estate investment firm Mast Capital, in partnership with Koch Real Estate Investments, has announced the acquisition of The Islands of Islamorada, the controversial development directly behind the Islamorada Post Office.

The new owners plan to sell at least some of the 22 homes individually, with Ocean Sotheby in Islamorada already marketing several, starting at $3.8 million.   History: Twenty-two homes, permitted as 4 bedroom/4 bath single family residential homes, were completed on the property in 2017.  Later an adjoining 8 unit hotel was added to the project. The 22 homes have vacation rental licenses.  The property was built as 4 bedroom/4 bath single family homes, replacing Pelican Palms, a mobile home park once located there. Van Cadenhead effort: The controversy began when a Village street, DeLeon Avenue, was abandoned from the Old Highway to the Ocean and deeded to the property owner who owned on both sides of DeLeon. The abandonment created a large contiguous parcel where the 22 homes were built. Through the persistence of then community activist and one time resident of Pelican Palms, Van Cadenhead, a public walking right-of-way was granted, from the Old Highway through the new project to the ocean, in exchange for the elimination of DeLeon Ave that previously provided public access to the water. A pedestrian gate along the Old Highway provides public access to the walking path.   More recently: The Village Planning Director affirmed that even though Vacation Rental licenses issued for the 22 individual single-family homes prohibit rentals of less than seven days, the homes at the Islands of Islamorada can be rented nightly.

Change at Indian Key Fill: The Fill, hardly recognizable. Looking south towards Lower Matecumbe! Do you remember this? Elevated water pipeline over the water on left. Robbies top right. From: Monroe Co Public Library, Florida Keys History Center https://www.keyslibraries.org/news/categories/today-in-keys-history

A year ago, Islamorada lost a very special resident…. Van Cadenhead.

Van, a disabled Veteran who cared deeply about our community and the folks here, packed his scant belongings and headed north after being evicted from the Plantation Key spot he had called home for 10 years.

Ten days ago, Van Cadenhead died.  See his obituary later in the newsletter.

For decades Van was outspoken about the issues that impact the Florida Keys and Islamorada, having lived here since he was 7 years old.  The story of Van’s life is on our website. Click here.   

For decades Van attended County Commission meetings and then Village Council meetings following the incorporation of Islamorada…. always ready to stand at the microphone as perhaps the smartest one in the meeting hall.

His resolve was always the same: protect the environment and the dying reef, save every possible tree, protect and enhance quality of life, do something about affordable housing, remember our history, listen to the residents who understand and care, control the budget so that those who care the most can afford a life in the Florida Keys.

His message is even more critical now.  His life, and his death, have become an important lesson to all of us.  His often single-handed efforts to bring reason to local government decisions often fell on deaf ears. 

He was often right.

For decades, he warned of the urgent need for workforce housing, more trees, and better control of growth and traffic. Yet no one on the County Commission or Village Council seemed to listen.

The last time we heard his voice at a council meeting he said: “The time has come for the bamboozled citizens of Islamorada to wake up, sit up and pay attention.”

We agree.

Rest in Peace Van.  The world will miss you. A larger than life hero with an important message is now gone.

Tom

Goodbye Van Cadenhead You are missed. Click here for Van’s Obituary

When you go to the Freebee APP on your cellphone the rider cost is explained along with the reason for the charge.

Freebee’s own words: “Introducing fares will help improve service reliability, support vehicle availability, and ensure the program can continue serving the community sustainably.”

With the $111,000 increase in Freebee’s cost of service starting July 1 of this year, the rider fee becomes even more critical to the sustainability.

Finally - the Village Council will sit down with the Monroe County School Board at 1:30PM Tuesday July 21 at Marathon High School. They are holding a 2 hour workshop to attempt a finalization of the terms of a license and use agreement necessary before work begins on upgrades to the Coral Shore High School baseball field at Founders Park in Islamorada. Click here for the agenda.

A special call Council meeting is scheduled for July 27 with hopes that the July 21 workshop with the School Board succeeds and a Baseball Agreement can be finalized.

In order to speak at the workshop, members of the public must register BY CALLING 305-293-1400 EXT. 53392 in advance of the meeting.

Reminder: Lobster Mini Season starts July 29, but starting July 26 some restrictions begin.

In Islamorada, it is unlawful to dive or snorkel in any navigable canal or marina or within 300 feet of an improved residential or commercial shoreline beginning three days priorto the opening of and during the entirety of the lobster mini-season and for the first five days of commercial lobster season.

 

The Chain: Connection in the Florida Keys… A book featuring the writings of 19 local contributors and 3 winners of the Palmheart Press Kids' Poetry Contest. The collection offers a diverse range of voices and perspectives inspired by the local environment. The book was created to foster environmental stewardship through storytelling and community engagement. Proceeds support Florida Bay Forever, helping to protect and preserve one of the region's most vital ecosystems. Click here to order your book.

One Reader suggests: “We are going to need new solutions, instead of doing the same old things to promote development/tourism without a defined goal, while giving exemptions that make zoning a joke.”

Chesapeake Restaurant and Lighthouse C 1960. Florida  Keys History Center-Monroe County Public Library Wright Langley Collection. Click here to see the Monroe County Library Collection of over 24,000 photos.