Florida Keys FYI

[dobbler98]

In case you haven't heard, Cortex Corp. is buying up many of the mom and pop motels, trailer parks, and campgrounds/RV parks in the Florida keys for condotel developement. In 2005 alone four large ones were sold; America Outdoors on Key Largo; Holiday Isle at Islamorada; Fiesta Key KOA; and Jabour's on Key West. America Outdoors closes April 1, 2006. I am unsure of the closing dates for the others; although I was told that Holiday Isle will this year only convert the public dock area to "dockominiums". Make sure the campground you want is still open by calling ahead this year.
This trend of selling the Keys to foreign investors for developement has become a huge problem. Land values have skyrocketed and campground owners are finding it hard to pay the exhorbitant taxes. In effect the Florida government is helping this by using "commerce developement rules". These ensure that the investors win every time there is oppostion to the sales. Winning even though their own feasibility studies showed that the developement is going to cost Florida loss of transient spending and the accomanying taxes which fund civic programs and local budgets. In short, campers and RV'ers will have no place to stay if this developement continues.
Over 900 sites were lost this year alone. Florida does not allow parking along Highway 1, and many of the Keys have local ordinances about overnighting in parking lots. One day you may not be able to travel south of Card Sound Road without a condo or motel reservation. This issue should be of concern to all travelers. Let's make some noise.

[dobbler98]

In case you haven't heard, Cortex Corp. is buying up many of the mom and pop motels, trailer parks, and campgrounds/RV parks in the Florida keys for condotel developement. In 2005 alone four large ones were sold; America Outdoors on Key Largo; Holiday Isle at Islamorada; Fiesta Key KOA; and Jabour's on Key West. America Outdoors closes April 1, 2006. I am unsure of the closing dates for the others; although I was told that Holiday Isle will this year only convert the public dock area to "dockominiums". Make sure the campground you want is still open by calling ahead this year.
This trend of selling the Keys to foreign investors for developement has become a huge problem. Land values have skyrocketed and campground owners are finding it hard to pay the exhorbitant taxes. In effect the Florida government is helping this by using "commerce developement rules". These ensure that the investors win every time there is oppostion to the sales. Winning even though their own feasibility studies showed that the developement is going to cost Florida loss of transient spending and the accomanying taxes which fund civic programs and local budgets. In short, campers and RV'ers will have no place to stay if this developement continues.
Over 900 sites were lost this year alone. Florida does not allow parking along Highway 1, and many of the Keys have local ordinances about overnighting in parking lots. One day you may not be able to travel south of Card Sound Road without a condo or motel reservation. This issue should be of concern to all travelers. Let's make some noise.