There was no shortage of big news in the Upper Keys this year. In Tavernier, a proposed supermarket and liquor store captured headlines all year long. In Key Largo, a multimillion-dollar project finally began to address nuisance king tide flooding in one community. In Islamorada, community members rallied to help a squirrel hit by a blow dart. A Florida Fish & Wildlife Conversation helicopter pilot prevented a tragedy during a major swim event to an iconic lighthouse.
Publix project gets approval and pushback
A developer’s proposal to construct a Publix supermarket, liquor store and workforce housing on property that once housed concrete production cleared several hurdles in 2024. It came despite pushback from local residents and the Tavernier Community Association, as well as county planning staff’s recommendation to deny the request.
In February, county commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a Tavernier Key Commercial Overlay District, which allows the developers to construct a nonresidential structure beyond the 10,000-square-foot limit. In May, FloridaCommerce shot the approved ordinance down, stating the development standards exceed those applicable to the Tavernier community under the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan, specifically those provided by the Livable CommuniKeys Master Plan for Tavernier Creek to MM 97.
But just a month later, FloridaCommerce flipped its decision and approved the county ordinance for the overlay. “After receiving additional input from representatives of the county and the proposed development, upon further legal and historical analysis, it was clear that the proposed comprehensive plan change was legally sufficient and based on historical precedent,” said Emily Hetherington, FloridaCommerce deputy director of communications and external affairs.
FloridaCommerce’s decision put the onus of an appeal — and the associated costs — on the Tavernier Community Association. The TCA has since filed a petition in relation to an ordinance Monroe County commissioners approved in February for a special overlay. Richard Barreto, president of the TCA, said he remains skeptical of the state’s actions and believes the state abrogated its responsibility to oversee Monroe County, as an Area of Critical State Concern.
County commissioners recently voted to give the developers 86 early evacuation building permit allocations to construct workforce housing behind the proposed Publix grocery store.
“For us, if this does happen, I envision a lot of people who work for the sheriff’s office or future employees who are looking for employment and want to come here,” Sheriff Rick Ramsay told Keys Weekly in February in relation to the proposed 86-unit workforce complex in Tavernier.
The developers have since closed on the property.
Twin Lakes flood project gets underway
A project to address king tide flooding issues in the Twin Lakes subdivision in Key Largo was years in the making. On Aug. 21, local officials and residents of the community celebrated an official groundbreaking of a $21 million project.
Key Largo’s Twin Lakes neighborhood has often experienced flooding from heavy rainfall, high tide and king tide events. With the help of a $5.4 million federal appropriation, local funds and money from a state grant, the project aims to elevate roads and install a new drainage and stormwater collection system. In May, county commissioners gave the thumbs-up for construction, choosing Ferreira Construction to lead the project. The project is Monroe County’s first pilot project for road elevation, with a similar project planned just up the road at Stillwright Point — another neighborhood at risk for prolonged flooding.
Twin Lakes resident Stephanie Russo has advocated for the project, attending county commission meetings and speaking with commissioners on the need to relieve issues of flooding in her neighborhood. For years, Russo said, her community of roughly 100 people witnessed their quality of life deteriorating and essential services fading with the rising waters. It even affected garbage pickup, mail delivery and emergency response.
“We are extremely grateful to the county commissioners, their staff, and our local state representatives for their continued support in advocating for this project,” Russo told Keys Weekly.
Initially proposed in 2016, the project is scheduled to be completed by late July 2026.
Community rallies to save squirrel hit with a blow dart
A community of animal lovers rallied to rescue and treat a squirrel shot by a blow dart in Islamorada. The incident occurred in early August when Glenda Soler spotted the squirrel near her Islamorada home at MM 81, oceanside. Efforts to secure the squirrel were unsuccessful at first.
A week later on Aug 10, the squirrel was captured thanks to the efforts of Brad Bryan, of Maritime Mobile Welding, and sheriff’s deputy Nelson Sanchez. The squirrel, a female, was transported to Mobile Pet Doctors and veterinarian Michael Claudio and vet tech Tanya Manchester. A procedure to remove the blow dart was successful.
“It was great to see people come together,” Soler said.
FWC pilot prevents tragedy during open water swim
Quick thinking by a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) helicopter pilot is credited with preventing tragedy in Islamorada.
On Sept. 7, officials with the U.S. Coast Guard, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and FWC saw a center console vessel navigating toward an area where hundreds of swimmers were competing in a charity swim to benefit the Alligator Reef Lighthouse. Despite repeated requests from law enforcement, the vessel operator, Thomas Michael Reichert of Naples, did not change course.
Anticipating that the boat was minutes away from the swimmers, FWC pilot Chris Simons brought his helicopter down to hover about 20 feet in front of Reichert, forcing him to stop.
Once the vessel was stopped, FWC officers conducted a safety and resource inspection. Reichert was reportedly found to be boating under the influence.
“They tried and tried to get the guy to stop,” said Rob Dixon, race organizer who was one of 300-plus participants who were in the water at the time. “The helicopter came down to spray him to stop. It was pretty scary stuff.”
Largest pickleball complex opens
Pickleball players throughout the Upper Keys rejoiced as 10 new courts opened at Key Largo Community Park on Aug. 22. It was a major upgrade for the pickleball community as there was a lack of courts to play. Players in Key Largo used to convert the basketball courts at the park for pickleball. Now, they have their own dedicated space.
“This state-of-the-art complex will provide more community members with the opportunity to engage in pickleball and may pave the way for interleague competitions throughout Monroe County,” said county Parks and Beaches Director John Allen.
In addition to regular play during the early mornings and weekends, the courts have been used for a number of tournaments supporting various causes.
Key Largo home reaches new heights
Keys Weekly’s Kellie Butler Farrell reported on one of the more interesting projects seen in Monroe County in 2024. Marketa and Jason Kendall’s three-bedroom, two-bathroom house located at a Key Largo bayside neighborhood was hydraulically lifted some 23 feet into the air. The reason? The Kendalls said they outgrew the space and needed to expand.
Jason Kendall said they couldn’t build in the back or to the sides, so there was nothing to do but go up and build underneath.
Jason says the cost to lift the house, build the walls and put in the flooring will be about $160,000. When finished, the Kendalls’ home, which was 1,300 square feet, will be 2,600 square feet.
Longtime judge retires
After 24 years on the bench, Circuit Judge Luis Garcia is putting down his gavel. On June 3, 2024, Garcia wrote a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis, informing him of his intention to retire.
The Chicago native and graduate of Northeastern School of Law in Boston started out as a prosecutor in Miami in 1989 and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually being tapped to become a judge in Monroe County.
“I’ve been basically working for the state of Florida as a prosecutor or a judge since 1989,
and it’s a long time,” said Garcia.
Garcia presided over thousands of cases during his more than two decades on the bench in Monroe County and, along the way, changed the lives of those who appeared before him. Garcia’s seat at the Plantation Key Courthouse was unique, presiding over a wide range of cases from family law, to civil cases of all kinds, juvenile cases, criminal felonies, drug court, probate, guardianship, mental health, injunctions; he saw it all.
“They all stick with you,” said Garcia.
