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APOLLO BEACH — Their story unfolded like a Nationwide Lampoon film.
Four friends needed a place to park their floating bar, purchased an island, ran afoul of the powers-that-be after which fought for his or her proper to social gathering.
Now, a bit of greater than six years after their buy, they’re promoting Pine Key Tampa Bay – higher often called the apostrophe-shaped Beer Can Island situated between Apollo Seaside and MacDill Air Pressure Base.
The itemizing value is $14.2 million and contains the 9-acre island plus one other 60 acres of surrounding submerged land, stated Cole Weaver, one of many homeowners.
On Friday, the homeowners will launch PineKeyTampaBay.com with additional particulars. patrons can name 813-434-3366.
“We’re prepared to maneuver on to our subsequent chapter,” Weaver stated. “We’ve loved the expertise and the camaraderie and the friendships we’ve made. Nevertheless it’s time for us to maneuver on.”
The island is now closed to the general public.
Their story began with the floating bar barge referred to as Tiki Bay Island. The 4 associates — Weaver, Russell Loomis, James West and John Anthony Gadd — constructed a motorized picket deck topped by a tiki roof as a venue for a personal social gathering enterprise.
Wherever they docked it, neighbors complained. They sought everlasting waterfront property and considered Pine Key, however the island wasn’t on the market.
It was owned by Imperial Island, whose president additionally served as president of the Tampa Bay Marina. And it was the place Tampa Bay Marina dropped sand from dredging operations at its marina in Apollo Seaside.
The corporate had no real interest in altering that observe. So, the chums made a suggestion: Promote the island at its appraised price and they’d permit sand dumping to proceed there. On Dec. 22, 2017, the deal was sealed for the discount value of $63,650.
The brand new homeowners docked their tiki boat after which determined to increase the social gathering enterprise by bringing their brand of order to the island.
Earlier than, it had been a lawless social gathering place for boaters and campers to go to with out supervision or facilities, incomes it the Beer Can Island nickname.
The chums added bogs, trashcans, meals vehicles and safety guards. They cleaned the property often and bought memberships that offered entry to personal buildings and a chosen tenting floor. In addition they gave it an tackle — 1 Beer Can Island Method.
Then Hillsborough County argued that the enterprise mannequin ran afoul of code violations and introduced security issues.
The homeowners countered that the island was safer than it had beforehand been as a result of they employed off-duty emergency medical technicians and had first assist children. The island truly didn’t have any zoning — which they claimed meant the county didn’t have jurisdiction over it.
However they agreed to debate zoning choices. The county desires to treat the island as a private nature preserve, however that will successfully eradicate its use as a business bar and particular occasions middle.
That dialog is ongoing.
The following proprietor will also have to deal with erosion. The island was as soon as round 23 acres — years earlier than Weaver and his associates bought it — and so they’ve battled the waves ever since. Final yr, it was under 5 feet of water throughout Hurricane Idalia. The following proprietor may additionally add to its measurement as a result of submerged property, Weaver stated.
“Pine Key affords a singular alternative for innovation,” a information launch for the sale says. “With the fitting imaginative and prescient and willingness to collaborate with Hillsborough County, alternatives for growth might be explored and expanded upon. … In Hillsborough, there are at present 4 different islands with residential zoning. … These situations present beneficial insights into the varied residential zoning choices already loved throughout the county.”
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