​When Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck last year, The Islander was left badly damaged. Soon after, the board told owners that repair was not an option because of FEMA’s 50% rule — claiming our only choices were to rebuild at enormous cost or sell. They floated a number of about $6,500 per owner, but provided no research, no financing plan, and no path forward.

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With more than 450 owners, the board never once asked for input, conducted surveys, or gathered owner opinions. Instead, they made sweeping decisions in isolation. Meanwhile, other serious issues have come to light: a $500k+ bill from Balfor for emergency work, despite the board president saying a contract was signed for “insurance proceeds only” of $45k, but never getting an estimate before signing the contract. That dispute is now tied up in litigation — just one example of the financial mess created by poor oversight.

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Another concern is communication — or the lack of it. For months, the president of the board has not communicated directly with owners. We’ve been told the attorney instructed him not to, meaning all responses come through legal channels — at attorney billing rates that we are paying. That is not what responsible leadership looks like. A board president should be accountable to the owners and provide regular updates, not hide behind legal counsel. Owners deserve direct communication and transparency, not silence.

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Despite this, a group of dedicated owners has stepped up, investing time and effort to dig into the facts. Repair may still be possible under FEMA’s rules, but the board has dismissed it outright, claiming it’s “not worth it” — even though our buildings have stood strong since 1948. Yes, storms will come again, but to throw away 75 years of resilience without even exploring the solutions offered is unacceptable.

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Then came the question that changed everything: “What about historic preservation?”  ​Instead of dismissing the idea, Jordyn Joaquin contacted the Pinellas County Historic Preservation Planner. After hearing The Islander’s story, he said: “You stand a real chance.” He encouraged us to file a preliminary questionnaire and connected us with the Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation. That opened a door the board never mentioned — the possibility that historic eligibility could exempt us from FEMA’s restrictions and allow repairs to move forward.

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Since then, we have moved quickly, gathering old photos, records, and memories dating back to the Dolphin Apartments of 1948. (That was the original name that is now our Islander)  Together, this research formed a Historic Preservation Package that the state has already reviewed positively, even asking for more detail — proof we are on the right path.

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Not everyone welcomed this progress. The board’s attorney issued letters saying Lisa Joaquin had “no authority” to pursue preservation and warning of high costs, delays, and red tape. But state officials clarified those claims were misleading. The facts are clear:

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• Any owner may submit a nomination for eligibility.

• Eligibility alone — not just full listing — is enough to gain benefits.

• Preservation does not restrict owners unless federal or state funds are used.

• Because The Islander is fee simple, the owners — not the board or attorney — hold the final say.

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Meanwhile, the board has hidden meetings by posting notices on the locked Islander doors. Just this week, they announced a special meeting to vote to repair, rebuild, or sell — before most owners even know preservation is a viable option. To make it more confusing, they also sent out a notice for the annual meeting, yet are now trying to push this special vote through ahead of the October 25th annual board meeting. What is that all about?

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They talk about dissolving the timeshare while owners haven’t even been told about the preservation package. That package matters, because historic preservation could exempt us from FEMA’s 50% rule and give us a path to repair — a process explained in detail under the Can We Repair? section. So why the rush? Why try to push a vote through while owners are confused, frustrated, and without the full story? It leaves many of us questioning whether there’s an underlying motive at play.

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The benefits of historic preservation eligibility are significant: exemption from FEMA’s 50% rule, potential property tax relief for up to 10 years, and greater flexibility with building codes. Most importantly, it keeps repair on the table without adding a significant financial burden on owners.

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Yet in their latest notice, the board warned that if we repair or rebuild, owners should “expect at least one special assessment” for construction, pool equipment, and more. That statement feels less like transparency and more like setting owners up to reject repair outright. The truth is, no one knows whether an assessment will be needed — or how much — because the full costs have not even been determined. So why rush a vote now, while the numbers are still unknown and preservation remains under review?

The fact is that historic preservation gives us a real chance to save The Islander, preserve its history, and protect our investments. We are no longer limited to “sell or rebuild.” With facts, research, and state support on our side, owners can finally make an informed decision about the future — one that honors the Islander’s past and keeps the choice where it belongs: with us, the owners.