The Islander Resort

04/14/2025

While I was growing up in Tampa - this is where we spent Spring Break. What's the WORD? THUNDERBIRD.
As you will read below our neighbor to the south, built in 1957 (Islander 1948) is just making the hard decision - BUILD BACK BETTER!

It’s as tall as a medium-sized lighthouse, if not as bright, but it has shone like a beacon across Gulf Boulevard for 68 years. The Thunderbird Beach Resort’s neon sign, with the hotel name in white, set against a colorful bird with a majestic wingspan (it’s the mighty thunderbird from Aztec m...

03/24/2025

Ok, I get it - Patience is wearing thin - BELIEVE ME: ME, TOO!
The Board is drafting a letter to go out early April. (end of next week?) It will cover what we have done so far and what our options look like. A new Engineering Report was more reasonable but we would have to move ahead with paying for plans (around $10,000) from them in order to get quotes from a contractor. Repairs will leave us vulnerable to future flooding and then we'd have to repeat this process AGAIN.
So what do options beyond that look like?? We are putting that together so you can ALL weigh in.
Thank you, for your patience and your KIND ISLANDER SPIRIT!!
It is The Islander Family and WE ARE STILL HERE!!

03/21/2025

I guess I'm posting this to let you know we're NOT alone. Even the big guys - who had damage - are finding it hard to get back up and running. This story shows some other effort though.

The Postcard Inn on St. Pete Beach has been closed since it flooded during Hurricane Helene, but as one of the city’s big spring break spots they have brought back some of their beachside attractions while they rebuild.

02/24/2025

WE'RE STILL HERE...apologies for the long silence - there just hasn't been anything to say. While we did get the FEMA inspection, it was, as expected, NOT in our favor. Our re-appraisal made the prospect of repairs a bit better and we are now trying to get the estimates for repairs in line with the new property value.
This has been a difficult process with a lot more "waiting" than meaningful activity. I do believe we are turning the corner and will be able to make decisions soon regarding a timeline to reopen.
I appreciate ALL the owners who have sent supportive messages and UNDERSTAND those of you who are frustrated - SO AM I.
As soon as we have "concrete" (pun intended!) information I will send a mailing AND post here.

01/30/2025

Greetings Islanders...We did greet the Town Building inspector yesterday who arrived to assess the damage. We await that report. The next step is to secure an Engineering firm to specify HOW to repair the damaged wall. The entire project needs to be completely scoped out to ensure that repairs come in under the 50% threshold of our property value - if it is at or above 50% we would have to make other more difficult decisions. ANY MAJOR DECISION SUCH AS ARCHITECTURAL CHANGES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A VOTE OF THE ENTIRE OWNERSHIP AND AGREEMENT OF 75%. Be assured NO DECISIONS have been made other than that we continue to pursue repairs to our beloved property.

01/28/2025

Greetings Islander Owners!
Thanks to ALL of you who have paid your 2025 Maintenance Fees and to those who have BEEN TRYING to overcome the postal issues- which do seem to have been resolved! The original address for The Islander should work fine as mail is being forwarded to the PO BOX - which can also be used as a primary address for US MAIL. Fedex and UPS are trickier but do seem to be retrievable - please call me if you need to send something via those carriers.
On more positive news: We have secured an appointment to have our official inspection/assessment by the TOWN Building Dept. That will be Wednesday and the Board will be meeting on Wednesday to discuss the current situation and plans to move forward.
Please email the office with specific questions as it is difficult to keep up with FACEBOOK Comments.

01/21/2025

Well, at least it's NOT SNOWING at THE ISLANDER! Wouldn't that be "icing on the cake"?? I do know a few of our Snowbirds have sought respite in the Panhandle this year and they are now experiencing that rare Florida SNOW!! I'd blame it on them for bringing it with them but it's coming from Texas. And I do like to blame things on Texas. Apologies to our Texas owners...no favorites (Michigan)...but seriously ALL winter dwellers - Stay Safe and warm. It is chilly and raining here anyway so you're not missing much....the SUN WILL RETURN!!

01/17/2025

GREETINGS ISLANDERS!
Thank you for your patience (and I appreciate that you might be losing yours - mine is thin!!) The MAIL situation seems to be cleared up and should be forwarded if sent to 17006. The alternate address is Eleanor Wolfe The Islander PO BOX 3252 Seminole FL 33775.

It is difficult to conduct business over FACEBOOK chats like this. If you need an email invoice please email the office.

The property might be closed - for now - but know the FLAG is flying!!

01/14/2025

UPDATE: The weather is GORGEOUS here today - cool in the shade very warm in the sun...you'd be in your bathing suits on the chaises with a sweater nearby...tragic!! Beyond that torture of what "could/should" be - I RECEIVED 12 PAYMENT LETTERS IN THE PO BOX !! so hopefully the mail snafu is over AND also we got our new appraisal and while we are close to 50% it looks promising to move ahead with permitting...keep the FAITH!

01/13/2025

ISLANDER OWNERS: Many of you are messaging me that your letters are being returned. I set up a forward to a secure PO Box but something got mislabeled on that end and now we have this new layer of disaster! I have received many envelopes so at least it wasn't everybody.
I have spoken to the Post Office and they admitted it was their error. Mail going to 17006 IS being forwarded but at the PO Box they were returning it.
The problem should be fixed. I can also send you an email to pay online.
I am SO FRUSTRATED!!

01/06/2025

Please enjoy these sunset pics from last Friday. That is a crescent moon! As much as they will make you miss The Islander know that I was missing my winter friends lingering past sunset in the dark with the chill of Florida winter! Hank Heron misses ALL of you, too!

12/31/2024

How can I say Happy New Year? I can easily say GOODBYE 2024 and WELCOME 2025! with the hope that the New Year will bring us positive energy towards our recovery. The only update for now is that although we have NOT YET received our FEMA assessment of whether the damage sustained was "substantial" meaning it exceeds 50% of the value of the buildings, we are proceeding with a reappraisal to reflect current replacement values as opposed to the current property tax appraisal that is based on "sales" value and is quite low. Once we have this new info we will be able to apply for permits to begin repairs. But anyway...HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE ISLANDER FAMILY!!