Since 2021, more than $8 million was doled out by past councils to buy properties in the village. A detailed plan showing what they could become has been lacking since the acquisitions.
Conversations over the properties potentials were kickstarted by Village Manager Ron Saunders not long after he arrived in April; it was then revisited during budget talks last month. In May, Saunders published a list showing all properties under the village’s ownership. It spanned from conservation lands outside Islamorada’s boundaries in the Lower Keys to several properties past councils agreed to acquire, including purchases in 2021 for the Machado properties on Plantation Key, at $1.8 million, and the Island Silver & Spice building on Upper Matecumbe Key for $2.75 million.
In May 2024, the council voted 3-1 to buy the Island Community Church property for $3.9 million. Formerly the Cineamorada Theater, Island Community Church acquired the property in 1974. In 2024, a growing congregation led church officials to begin plans to move services to property they own in the former Island Christian School building at 83400 Overseas Highway. The church leased the building for more than a year while the new location was renovated.
The congregation recently moved to the new facility and the keys to the former church property are in village hands. So are the utility bills.
During a budget workshop last month, Saunders suggested selling the former church property to recoup funds and boost reserves for hurricane cleanup and land acquisition. Saunders was preparing an agenda item at a Sept. 9 meeting for council to mull a possible zoning change of the property from public center to highway commercial, which could increase allowable uses and market value, as well as putting it up for sale.
Saunders ultimately decided to postpone placing the item on the agenda following public comment at the Aug. 27 workshop.
Decisions over the former church building, as well as the Island Silver & Spice and Machado properties, are ultimately up to the council. The Aug. 27 workshop, however, let residents voice input on their desires for the properties. All council members were either in attendance for the meeting at the Founders Park Community Center or listening online.
Former councilwoman Elizabeth Jolin sat on the council during the church purchase. She recused herself from the vote because she worked for the broker who sold the property. During the workshop, she said the village should consider if it has a specific need that could be fulfilled with the building. For instance, she asked if the public works department could relocate their trucks and equipment currently sitting at Founders Park and Green Turtle Hammock Preserve to the property.
“I would be curious to know what stakeholders outside of this group who represent segments of the community who need things, does the chamber have ideas, do the youth groups need anything?” she said.
Saunders noted budget discussions yielded desires for a lesser financial burden on property taxpayers and a tax rate of 2.65 mills, or $265 per $100,000 of a property’s assessed value. In doing so, Saunders said the village will draw down funds from various sources.
“That’s not a good position to be in, especially in storm season,” Saunders said. “I didn’t want to recommend the council raise property taxes. … People said they didn’t want to see it raised.
If we could sell the church for what we paid for at least, it would be not to spend something else. It would be to replenish fund balances.”
Beth Kamenstein said the former church building could be a “beautiful theater.” She also said there’s opportunities for housing.
“It would be a really great conversation for our community to have,” she said.
As for the former Island Silver & Spice property, resident Joe Wischmeier said there was previous discussion about constructing workforce housing. He said selling the property to help balance the budget would be the “absolutely wrong way to go.”
Lower Matecumbe Key resident Sue Miller said the three properties were bought for the specific purpose of preventing another potential buyer from acquiring and developing them into something the village didn’t want. She noted the former Island Silver & Spice property could be a community center that could host farmers markets, entertainment and other activities.
Resident Paula Friedman said the Island Silver & Spice property could mirror what was the Wynwood Yard in Miami, in addition to some parking for vehicles and dropoffs via Freebee.
“It was food trucks with tents down the center and long communal tables where you would sit and talk to people across from you and talk to people next to you. I think that could bring some revenue in until what it is we want to permanently do with that space,” she said.
Planning director Jennifer DeBoisbriand said the Machado properties at MM 88.6 are strictly for workforce-affordable housing, per village council resolution.
“That’s not to say the council couldnt’ reconsider the resolution and make a different change. As it stands right now, that’s the restriction,” she said.
Saunders noted the village isn’t intending to sell the Machado lots or the Island Silver & Spice property. More discussion on the properties is expected in the months ahead.
